Democratic banner., 1851-02-10
benton auA Free sstlisn,.

The free-soil papers, and abolitionists Of the
North, now that Benton is defeated, speak cut
plainly and discover to Us, if more evidence
were wanting, bis real sentiments.
The New York Evening Post says, 'thecause
of Senator Benton's defeat is already familiar to
the nation. He was known TO be opposed in all
has instincts, as q man, as a statesman, and as q
economist, TO the propagation Of Slavery
HE saw the determination of the Calhoun school
Of statesman to identity the Democratic party with
the slave interest, or to divide the confederacy."
This last falsehood is the excuse of every abO.
|~litionist, for hiss abuminable principles. The
memory Of Calhoun is wronged by the assertions
he never attempted to unite the fortunes of any
political party with slavery prOpagandism. And
were it even true that he attempted it, this fact
would not justify them in attempting to force
abolition upon the Democratic party.
The Post says that Col. Benton is a free.soiler,
and would have taken his position in favor Of
the Proviso, had he not been deficient in bold.
ness. This is what the Democracy of this State
charged upon him He refused to answer his
constituents when interrogated, with the hope
that he could disguise his real principles until
again returned to the U. S. Senate.
That paper then dominates him for President,
and continues as follows:
1.-THE time is at hand when not only Missouri
Ihuf The rhata nation ,rtll bngo a ST ~ ooPftntHy
|of indemnifying Col. Benton for any indignity
he may receive at the hands of the political hire
Ilings, through whose Vaccinations a Wing is
sent to occupy the seat which, for a generation
and a hall, he has filled with unsurpassed dis.
and usefulness.
"A we look back upon the political history
of the Democratic party, for the past three years
and review it by the light IF current events, we
cannot but feel that the distinguished Senator
from Missouri had adopted a wiser, as well as a
safer course ifhe had boldly taken his stand, in
opposition TO the extension of slavery, by aduocd-
ting the application Of the ordinance of 81 10 the
.neU territories, ,1ithout attempting TO keep terms
vih any party or principles which contemplated
slavery propdgandism. Had tina: course been
it is not difficult to foresee that at this
day the Democratic Free Soil party would have
possessed more combined strength than any 9TH
er political party in the country, and the next
Presidential campaign would rave established a
permanent national policy, without a sympathy
for slavery or ~servile labor. Till that is done,
till such is the recognized policy ofthe predcmi.
nant party in this country, We shall have our best
men cut of, one after the other, in the midst Of
their usefulness. by the slave interest; sDd while
laf0fHc4nna lsLa o. D.s~az ~ R.,ko, ~n1 DSA
cad Hayward, are prescribed. the charge Of pub
Pie affairs rin fall into the reak and profigae
hands Of such men az Foot. and Bright, and
Richie. and Borland, to tho Immediate disgrace,
IF not final ruin of the country.
"The time has come for our great men to speak
out, and to act out their convictions or be forev-
er silent. 1t is useless to temporise any longer,
or to hope any thing from conciliation or com
promise with slavery. Treachery and defeat
are the only rewards honest men ever get for
such policy, and the result of the SEN
%atorial election in Missouri, is a browning illus
of it."