Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-03-31
COL. BENTON.

publishes correspondence which lately took
place in Washington, between Col. Benton and
Messrs. Phelps and Lamb, Democratic members
of Congress from Missouri. 1t appears that it
has been the established rule of former Demo-
cratic administrations to leave the distribution of
Federal patronage in Missouri to the Democratic
representatives in Congress from that State. A
day had accordingly been appointed on which
Old Bullion to have met his colleagues
Messrs. Phelps and Lamb, to confer about the
disposition ofthe spoils. But in the meantime
the two last named gentlemen received
manifesto issued by the Benton branch of the
Missouri Legislature, which induced them to
pause before entering into consultation with
their formidable colleague. They accordingly ad
dressed him polite epstle, gently limiting that
they feared he was adisorganizer, and meditated
making war on the regular usages aud organiza-
ton Of the Democratic party. The letter con-
cludes as follows:
We consider that it would be politically wrong
commend the President to appoint any to any office
first who is not honest, capable and faithful to the
Constitution Secondly who friendly to the admin
straon, and who will not labor to make it successful
Third, who does not heartily believe in the doctrines Of
the Baltimore platform and will not pledge himself to
live up to them Fourth who is not friendly to- and who
will not zealousy uphold the organization and usages of
the Democratic party Not only do consider that
would be politically wrong to recommend man a
Democratic President for appointment to office, who
does possess the above various qualifications bat
do not see how any Democratic administration
knowingly appoint disorganizer to any Office what
ever.
II, then. tho sinister in vogue to be
credited;t interpretation be put upon your
Speech ec 1t the course marked out by the resolutions
meets your approval and will command your support it
is quite clear that we should never be able to agree In
consultation.
We believe in conventions of the Democracy, and so
of the other matters herein before stated you agree
with us in that regard there will be- there be.
difficulty in agreeing men; but if vie VS. do
accord measures will be impossible agree
men.
| For we should want and be compelled to insist upon
appontees who would adhere the of the
raton, and the regular organization aud usages of
the Democratic party of the State and of the nation
and under any circumstances could recommend other
without being inconsistent with former and present
rules OF action.
; The only reply that Benton condescended to
make was the following:
WASHINGTON, March 10, 1853.
To Mess,'s. Phelps and Lamb:
GENTIEMEN-Your communication ofthis days date is
Just received and bears internal evidence of having
been prepared for publication conform to its hi ention
by reinittins it to Missouri for that purpose.
Very respectfully, gentlemen
Your obedent servant.
THOMAS Fl. BENTON.
The Missouri Republican (Whig) remarks on
; this correspondence
l
be seem but it is Civ up that the is to be
newed and fought with more obstinacy than that
Phelps to be made the target for all the malignant shots
of the friends OF Benton and that nothing is be left
done to destroy him. Meanwhile spirit is infused
into the ranks OF the Antics who be recognised
the peculiar friends of the Administration will
recruits be wanting from the ranks ofhe Benton party
of men who have adhered to him because they believed
him honest i'll his cause but W no still desert him and
sustain the Administration when the question is put to
them in this way. 1t not without iorekuowledge,
that the Democrat sparlng of its words ofappoval
ofthe Inaugural of Gen. Pierce. and INDUCED in
downright censure of the Cabinet when it first
nounced. There oregone purpose ia Col. Benton
place himself opposition to the Administration and,
unless all signs fail he will this position
We are not sorry forit.
ave infer from this correspondence that Messrs At
Gibson Phelps and Lamb will have the disposal of all the
ohcesin Missouri of any pecuniary value political i'm
portance. Col Benton might by agreeing to the cone-
renee have obaineda portion them for his friends but
he was determined to have all We like his
spunk but apprehend his friends, VIII suppl
ants for Office, will be inclined to wish him at the devil
for his obstinacy.'
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