Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-06-02
Col. Benton and ties Naturalization


gent in that section of the State.
Col. Benton and thT administration.
1t would seem that in the distribution of Mis-
souri's share of the spoiIs, President Pierce has
departed from his general line of policy. In other
States he has sought to harmonic the contending
factions of his party, by dividing the Offices be-
tween them, but we infer from pronunciamento
lately put forth by Col. Benton, that in Missouri
the Anti-Benton men have reaped all the re-
wards. 1t is evident that Pierce has taken sides
with Atchison, Phelps, Lamb & Co-that be re-.
CARDS Old Bullion a dangerous disorganzer,
and that the federal patronage in Missouri will be
employed to put him down. The following is
an extract OF a letter lately written by Benton,
aud published in the St. Louis papers:
6 \ on all know that many most unfit, and
some even infamo lis appointments TO office have
been made In our State, aad that for the basest
purposes, and over the heads of the best of CHI.
zens properly recommended by good mon whose
recommendations were entitled to respect You
all know that this has been done aud consider
1t treachery to the State, and the prostitution of
ofclal positions to private views and sinister de-
signs of unprincipIed men.
Honorable men of all parties are mortified at
these Illuminating appointments the less respec-
table enemies OF the administration rejoice at it
because it brings the administration into disre-
pute; at the time, it is these traitors to
whom you aude that do it; for the President
cannot know these individuals, and is bound to
believe IN the truth of the exalted characters
which were bestowed upon the scamps, whose
legs were never seen crossed under gentleman's
table-who were the scum aud dregs of all par
tles-who were fugitives from routed fields, or
deserters from pledges given to the people, when
they obtained these appointments. Those who
recommended them to the President knew all
this and deceived the President by false repre-
sensations; yet they call themselves the Presi-
dents friends No man is friend to another,
who, under the guise of friendship. persuades
that other to do thing that is wrong-that will
bring upon him the reproach Of good men, and
who deceiyes him by false representations. And
this is what has been done to President Pierce
| by Atchison, Lamb and Phelps.'
II will be seen that Benton does not venture to
| denounce the Administration openly and directly
| for the bad appointments of which he speaks,
but throws the blame the Presidents advisers.
We presume that he is not yet prepared for an
open declaration Of war against the government
| at Washington, and therefore deems it more
| prudent to restrain for awhile the expression OF
bis real opinions His present critical situation
may in some degree excuse him, but neverthe-
| less we cannot help regretting to see a man of
Bentons taentand Independent spirit giving Gown
| tenance to the discreditabe and s!avish doctrine
that the advisers of the President should be held
responsible for his acts. This doctrine is quite
in vogue just at this time with that POI ton of the
Democracy who have been disappointed in get
ting Office for themselves or their friends They
sompain, not of President Pierce, but of those by
whom he is surrounded, and ascribe every bad
appointment to 'malign influences, "s.misrepre
sentatious," DC. In monarchical England, pub
lie sentiment holds the Queens ministers respon
sbe for her acts, but we trust that the great DO.
dy of the Democratic party of this country are
not yet prepared to adopt the same idea and &C.
cord to the Executive of the United States mo.
narch's privileges. Our constitution provides nc
scape goat tor Presidents political offence
ard recognizes power either before or behind
the throne. The Executive stands responsible to
the public opinion of the country for every exer-
else of his authority, and all attempts to shift
that responsibility from his shoulders to those o
other men are contemplate in the extreme, and
should be frowned down aud rebuked as unworthy
a republican people. If our Locofoco friends
whohave been disappointed in getting Office un-
dor the government, think that they have been
badly used, and desire to vent their spleen on
somebody, we trust that for decency's sake, they
will level their denunciations against the proper
person. If they have been injured, Gen. Pierce
is the offending party, and they should either
abuse him or hold their tongues altogether.