The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-18
From the 81. LOUIS Hteiligsncsr, May s.
Colonel Benton and the Nomination,

We find che following letter to the editor of the
Union in that paper OF yesterday. AS partial
swer to the questions which the action of Colonel
BENToN's friends has put in the mouth Of every
else, it will be read with interest
Ma. PHILLIps-Sir l see that you have put my
name in your paper Of this morning a candidate
for Congress in this the first district This ID
premature. am not yet a candidate, and shall
not be, Of at all ) until know of the will of
the people OF the districts and that after they know
more OF my opinion OF the present condition Of the
Democratic party vi the State of Missouri. With
this view had long since intended TO visit the
counties of the district but misfortune had dis
goeJibed IrF for that undertaking. and did not
cbeosc to be present at the convention at Cape Gil
rardeau, nor 10 authorize any person to speak
word in my name there, But the nomination
which was made there forces me 10 decide the
question OF candidate or not and that throws me
back upon my original intention TO speak with the
people first. With this view shall be at Jack son,
Cape Girardeau county, on Saturday, the 18th in
st ant, at one O'Clock, afternoon.
In doing this intend no disrespect to the dele
gatcs who nominated me, but act in conformity
to my wcl-known opinions in relation to such
nominations; all OF which stand for nothing, in my
estimation, unless made in accordance with the
Will OF the people, and OF that point the people them
selves, and not the delegates, the judge. And
will say that i entirely approve the conduct OF the
Democratic delegates in withdrawing from their
own room to avoid the disgrace OF an ARRAY. lsay,
to avoid the disgrace. i know they did not retire
to avoid the arms; and there were two persons
there, at least, who know how easily slap in the
mouth, with an open hand, could COW an assassin
with dagger in his hand
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
THOMAS H. BENTON.
This letter, with sting in its TAIL is character
istic. and certainly consistent. Colonel Benton has
denounced conventions and caucuses as corrupt in
themselves, and nf1ordng just index to the will
of the people. His position as the candidate Of a
contention Of bis friends, they claiming to represent
the Democratic party, and he meanwhile unfet-
tered by any acknowledgment of the authority OF
the State Democratic Convention--und in
deed, 10 rcpudinte it's acton-would have been pc
stands.
Il is still subject for the curious in such mat
ters TO investigate Whereabouts the Benton dele.
cation are to be located. Tho TINES takes the fol
lowing observation of their latitude and ngitude:
"Totally unauthorized by Colonel Benton tho
seccders entered the convention at Cape Girardeau,
trusting that, If successful, the end attained would
sanctfy and cloak the means they employed
"Thsy were ioiled at every point, and ingori-
ously fed and now, in something they call an nd
dress, they endeavor to tell the people why they
left"
The Union Gays nothing about the matter. CO.
lionel Benons name flies at the topof the mast head
in the tallest sort of capitals. as the "Dcmocratc
nomination for Congress- FIRE, District, made in
convention at Cape Girardoau," &c.
SO things stand just now. Perhaps this har.
mony, Too. some Democrats said in Congress
the other day about the Loco harmonies in view
Of the Presidency, is "only the tuning of the in
struments"