The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1852-10-01
Col. Benton.

We cannot lorbear presenting to our read
ers the following remarks from the National
Era, in regard 10 the late struggles OF Col.
Benton, though deeply tinged with the Pc
culiar sentiments Of the conductors of that
Journal. "Old Bullion is, undoubtedly. a
tough customer in rough and tumble eD-
counter: ,......4.,.,..,,
Mr.. BENToN.-The triumph Of Mr.. Ben
ton is one Of The most extraordinary events
in the politics Of this country. His enemies
by foul coalition, availed themselves of a
temporary ascendency 10 thrust hlm from the
United States Senate, in which for 81 years
he had distinguished himself by his public
services. They imagined that they had
crushed him, but they hadnot fdthomed the
resources of The veteran senator. us.
He proclaimed war against them-war to
The knife, and no quarter-he went home 10
direct in person the campaign. He fought
the battle personally in three dislries, and
controlled a lomih in defiance OF caucuses,
conventions and regular nominations. Green
aud Hall members Of the present House Of
Representatives,, and regular nominees for
recollection, were running in the districts adj
joining his own. He took the field against
them, and effected their defeat. ,..,.. o.a,,
In another district through his influence,
the regukir democratic nominee was Obliged
touyow himself opposed to the Anti Benton
faction before he could be elected. In his
own district the most strenuous efforts were
made 10 defeat him. His friends insisted
upon going into convention with the Anti
Benton men, believing they had a majority
J but he would not sa lciion it. He had. al
ways opposed caucuses and conventions
and would not make USE OF them now. Thel
persisted and nominated him; he repudatet
their action. ia i'Ja
The Anti Benton portion of The Conven
ton got up what they called a regular nom
inalion;' he denounced it,. The wings, sur
Of victory brought their candidate into th'
field. Thus opened the campaign. Mr
S Benton had repudiated the action Of hi
friends; had denounced the regular nomina
lion, so called; had stood alool from all ar
engagements, all alliances; defying caususe
and conventions, proclaiming no comprom
S Use, no quarter. The odds seemed formida
. ble-one man against embat lied hosts. Be
sides, The distriet,was full Of Germans, wh,
had been carried away by the Kossuth doc
trine of intervention, and Benton set hi
e face like a flint against that doctrine. .5a
q 1t was also slaveholding district, con
sisting Of twenty two counties, running ia
(. down into the cotton egion; but openly an
powerfully he denounced the Compromise
y denounced The Fugitive law, ridiculed tn
6 Unionsayiors, declared that slavery was a
evil and that he was opposed to its extension
: Nor would he stoop to cajolery or evasion
Q No questions would he answer. my friends
P he said. twill asknone; and my enemies hay
L no right to oask.' Thus grandly did he fgl
! the battle, and the result was, victory BY
majority Of Eve thousand over all opponents
The people yindicated the confidence the
\ veteran servant had reposed in them, ard a
tested their appreciation OF his rugged hoi
esty and chivalric courage. s''F
l.