The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-02-06
COLONEL BENTON.

The view which we have taken OF Col. Bentons
conduct is well known to our readers. lie had
made an issue with the Democratic party, aud
with Democratic principles; and in that point of
view we have not hesitated to oppose him, and to
expose the disorganizing tendency of his conduct.
But, while he has raised an issue with the Demo-
cratic parry he has raised an issue wicn'the peo-
pie Of his own State. He has taken an appeal
from the action of his own State Legislature;
that appeal il WAS the province of the whole peo-
pie of Missouri to decide VIA mat appeal we
felt 10th to meddle for fear of being considered
too forward in interfering in affairs which did not
concern US. But now the question is settled. Col
Benton appealed from a majority Of the Missouri
Legislature to the people of the State Of Missouri.
The question was fully argued-the issue was
fairly made up-and the jury Of the vicnage lthe
people of Missouri rendered verdict against
Col Benton by returning majority to the Lee
gislature opposed to his reelection. That major
ity was divided by other considerations and on
other questions; but they were united on the
question which Col Benton made the prominent
one of the Missouri elections-the question which
Col Bentons friends in the Legislature persisted
in making prominent they agreed in the YER
dict rendered by the people at the ballotbox, that
Thomas H. Benton was at this time not fit rep
resentative of the State of Missouri in the Senate
of the United States Washington Union.
The Union, protesting to be the organ of the
National Democracy, cannot conceal its satisfac-
ton at the defeat of man who represents more
eminently Democratic Principles than any man
of his Party Not content with this, it misrepre-
sents the late election in Missouri, and the issue
decided by it,
Col Benton did take appeal from the
action of his own State Legislature-that appeal
was the great issue in the election-and the Peo-
pie of Missouri rendered verdict not against
but in favor Of Col. Benton.
The resolves of the Legislature, passed chiefly
by Democratic members, contemplated nullifica-
ton and secession, in certain contingencies. Col
Benton appealed from them to the people, and the
result was, the return of an overwhelming major
ity in the new Legislature against notification
and accession A majority VI DIS own party BUS
tanned him, and the whole of the Wing party gus
tanned his appeal The Wing membeIs voted
against him for Senator, not on account of his
views and action on the Slavery Question, or
of his opposition to Notification, but on account
of his radical Democratic opinions. They voted
for Mr.. Geyer, because he was Wing in favor
of the principle of protection of liberal OUTLAWS by
the Federal Government for Internal Improve
ments, and because he was as strongly opposed as
Colonel Benton to Modification and Secession
The " Rottens,n as they are styled, who coalesced
with them, and secured the election Of Geyer, re-
pudiated, not only their professed Democratic
Principles, but their Modification notions The
very coalition then, to which the Colonel fell a
victim, practically affirmed the soundness of his
position, as against the resolves of the last Legis
lature. The good sense of the People Of Mis-
souri, sanctioned his liberal course on the Sla-
very Question, and his devotion to the Union;
but party opposition on general grounds, strength
eued by the rancor of few apostate Democrats
displaced him from the position he had so proudly
occupied for thirty years
BALLoTING FOR SENATOR FROM OHo-Ten
balotings for q Senator from Ohio took place
last Thursday in the Ohio Legislature without
any choice. The lst, 7th, and 10th are as fol-