The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-07
From, the 50. Louis Times
Benton's letter TO the Ffee.soiIers and So
eialists.

We find in the Union of yesterday an epsile
from Mr.. Benton which is one of the most char.
acteristic and remarkable even of his produc-
tons. We present it as a curiosity to The peo-
pie OF Missouri, inasmuch as the Union is not
taken by them, and they would otherwise lose
the amusement it will afford them. He is now
in his seventy-third year--on the very verge of
l,e grave--and his malice aud mendacity seem
to strengthen with age. AS a time when others
would be looking to the strites of the past with
regret, and 10 the future with an humble hope
that the past might be bloted out by the tears
Of the recording angel, he is pouring out his
venom and his malice upon every one in the
State who has committed the heinous crime of
differing with him. The boldhess with which
he approaches what his personal friends shrink
from in disnay, is amazing He says THE
Democracy OF Missouri has been betrayed and
sold--betrayed by traitors and sold into Wing
bondage" Pray, who betrayed it! Was it not
betrayed by him who made an effort to trafsfsr
il to the Free soilers of the North? Was il
not betrayed by him who appealed to the Wings
to decide question between himself and his
Democratic constituents! Was il not betrayed
by him who urged his friends to vote for Wigs
IN preference t. Democrats? Was it not be-
trayed by those WHO obeyed his orders and voted
for. Porter and Miller in preference TO Hender.
son and Green?
But, says he in his letter: Vt is yopr mission
with your brethren throughout the STATED to
redeem her" Pray, who is this language d.
rected to? 1t is directed TO those men In this
city who set upon the Baltimore platform in
l84s, and voted for Martin Van Buren,. |. is
directed to those men who, for two long years,
steadfastly refused to endorse the Baltimore
resolutions, as party. X is directed to men
who have always denounced the Baltimore con-
vention of 1913 as a corrupt and unprncipled
body. 1t is directed to those who have over
and over sgain declared their hostility 10 ali ma.
tional conventions and national nominations. II.
is directed to those who bitterly denounced the
compromise bills before and sncetheir adoption.
and who take the Frees ground il favor of
repeal or material modification Of the fugitive
slave law. 1t is by such uen as these that Mr.
Benton insists the State shall be purified. Tie
reiteraies in his letter the same uncompronis.
ing positions which he took in biz letter 10 the
intngues of Hillsboro', and embraced in biz
platform, published from day 10 day Ia the Union
newspaper. He insists TINT sll the nnllifers
shall be read out Of she party, and he does moi
leave US in the daik as 10 who he includes under
the designation Of nullifers.
In his letter 10 Jefferson county, he says thai
lnOrt, huu uhV't Ohtg ute DtWoCIglS VINO VIII
repudiate the Jackson resolutions by Legislative
resolve who will read out those who voted for
Geyer in preference 20 himself, aud all who ap
proved the vote who will 90 for the right of in
struction according 10 hisdef lition Ofit and who
construe the Baltimore resolutions "a asserting
the power of Congress 10 legislate upon slavery
in tie territories. Al who concnr in these four
articles OF faith be will give the hand Of fellow.
ship TO as Democrats, and al..whs do not, are
nulliiiers. The demsnds therefore, that $4,000
men shall be driven into the Wig ranks before
there shall be peace in the pariy-that Is to say,
that the Democratic party shall he forever pros.
trated, and the powers Of the State government
shall be transferred ~ the Wings. This is what
he requires--shali he be obeycdl We shall
see. Nav, we have already seen. Twenty odd
counties have already taken their position for
union. and harmony, and the only primary meet.
ing, the proceedings Of which have been ap.
proved by him and the Frccsoileta here, was the
one ST Illlsbor6 frandalently assembled by his
special agents, where resolutions drawn by him.
self, we're seryisiy adopted.