New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-01-04
HOW THOS. H. BENTON IND THE
CRESCENT

HOW THOS. FL. BENTON IND THE
CRESCENT.
The ex-senator from Missouri has thought
proper to notice an editorial of ours b. a card,
in reply, recently published in the National In
telligencer. 1t is in answer to one among other
charges, that the Missouri Senator had attacked
81 the dying Calhoun" and the distinguished
gentleman certainly presents, briefly, calmly
md in good temper, facts which would go TO
show that we were in error.
We certainly would not do him injustice
One of the best traits of his character is great
Kindness and affability towards young men,
fact which we have personally and repeatedly
realized. 1t is possible that he may have learnt
who was the author of that editorial las he is
of this) and that such knowledge may have in
duced him to be as mild and well tempered as
he is, in noticing charge, the character of which
might have justified much less respectful-not
to say violent--reply. During the progress
of the late sectional excitement we wrote some
what stronger things of the distinguished
gentleman. We subsequently accidentally met
him, when he very unexpectedly brought up the
subject-matter of our pennings in reference to
himself, with PREPARATORY remarks, that he knew
that we, however much politically opposed, would
not be wilfullV unjust or Intentionally unkind
in remarks personal to him as a Senator. As
the charge he notes is one of some gravity, as
he views it seriously, and as we have no other
medium,of communication, we assure him that
we would not now, no more than then, be delibc-
rately guilty Of any wrong to him.
As the first act Of JUSTICE previous to any eA
planatory yindication, we here republish his
communication to the National IntelEgeneer
STREET December 90 1856
To THE EpfroRs-Messrs Gales and Sediot i have TO
ask you to do the favor to give the accompanying pa
pers and brief paragraph from SPECIFY place
IN the National Inteligencer they being public
concern, made by the conduct Of others. The
Son for asking this favor is this
The New Orleans paper the Crescent has lately charged
me with making annanly assaults Upon ie dying Ca
commencement of the last reply to Mr. Rhett
reproach that he had FASTENED Mr. Calhouns death
his after delivering his last speech read for him
BY MI Mason1-said that he did it to anticipate
hat he had gcod 10 bre that tuey.tour ioa-s
;ooud not efdrse before The hnderef Mr. Benons rgpI
De heard derouncng all traitors and disoRisty, en-,
upon evidence cich many pyiudicet citizens roud hold
Dc qnste satisfactory Now, all this s gratutous never
did assault the dying Calhoun never had any design
70 do so, and no had any good bad b.
for his reply to Mr. Calhoun is exactly contrary to tbs
one given about two years bsforea the time the reply
be the referred to Mr. Cahouns long expected ab
and in these words M eRp reusd for rer-
ring 10 the matter at this time that did tJsei the hon,
oro5ie Senator TO be here al all for many ddys
The 'etter from Mr. Nenabe and the passage from my
speech at St Louis above two years and before there
was any question about it, will show that made no
tack upon the dying Calhoun and had intention
do any such thing and, consequently that Mr. Foote
late excuse for attacking him is after-thought
founded and not thought of the time and contradict
ed BY what was thought of at the time.
Inc letter from Mr. Nenabe is in answer 10 shows
excuse which gave to my constituents after went home
from the session of 1850 for not renewing the disnon
controversy with Mr. Calhoun according to my promises
in the summer of 1919
Very respectfully, gentlemen your obliged felowciti
ZEN Thomas II. BlNroN
Letter from the Hon. Mr. genaLie 10 Cot Bsuiq
wAsHISeToN December u.s. 1882 |
DEAR Sir have to acknowledge the receipt Of |
yours Of this date requesting Of facts as re-
collected by me- which you propose to place before the
public, in order to defend you from the charge making
humanity attacks upon he dying CqLioun You refer as
suppose to the last Of the great South Carroll
man in the Senate Of the United States and Of
Of that day and ask to my recollection oertn
side remarks, made at the time b, yourself loud enoul
to be heard by myself others was present in Tho
Senate Chamber the day in which he made his a
pearauce, and witnessed the debate in which hr eugr
which will be found detailed in the Congressional
Globe of that date lie greatly emaciated and en-
enfeebled by disease, and fast sinking TO the grave
at the time that the DISCUSSION was unnecessary and
urged upon him under crcums ances which could give
nothing but pain to his friends Mere steal xhauson
rendered him incapable of doing Justice his subject
recollect much that you said stood you and not
far from Mr. Calhoun listening the debate aud in desp
anxiety as to the fatal effect til the excitement must
have upon him
My attention arrested by your voice. and in tour
loud enough to be heard by myself aud others You
strongly denounced the attack then in progress ayn.
That you had as little to like Mr. Calhoun us an,
one and was pledged TO attack him in the Seuate
Terence to political differences existing YOU that
mounting would be more acceptable to you than that h.
should De in health that you might make that ATARI hk
man but, to use your expression. When God nut
ms nand upon man, take mine oil " You made athrf I
remarks indicating strong Impulse at the moment 10
rise ana defend him and in decided TERMS expressed your
Indignation at the passing You dou6tles
reoohect that approached You immediately, aud rc-
marked that those manly expressions had obteraed al
most every recollection If any of your political
which had not concurred Others doubtless heard tn
remarks made by you as 1t subject Of conversation
at the time,
am apprized OF the political antagonism Of Mr. Cal
noun and yourself your discussions publications.
eEd replies are matters Of history with these
This time nothing to do and OF them nothing to say But
on the occasion TO which refer indeed The only time that
lever saw my venerated friend in his place thr Senat
physically unable to sustain himself In debate Il ould
DC gross injustice, and entire peryerson Of fucta To
charge you with making "unmanly assaults upon thg
dying Calhoun lti with relnctance that | consent
thst my recolections Of these should brought
before the public but cannot refuse statement o'
iacts occurring in my presence when simple justice re-
qures me to reply to your inquiry.
am, respectfully yours,
A. W. NFNAntp