Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-21
col. BENToN-A SUDDEN CHANGE.

ton.
COL. BENTON-A SUDDEN CHANGE.
Mr. Benton made short speech day
or two ago in the House of Representatives
That is to say, Mr.. Benton was absent but his
written remarks were read by one of his col
leagues, Mr. Oliver,) who, by facetious and
very pleasant fiction, was supposed to be-Mr
Benton. This is, perhaps, the first time that
any human being has ever even by fiction,
been taken for that man Of marked, inwrought,
and striking individuality Colonel Benton.
We cannot spare the space for Colonel Ben
tons entire speech, but will extract some of his
remarks, which we design to make the subject
Of a few brief comments
"Mr BENTON. Mr. Chairman, the member
from Indiana, Mr.. MACE, who made the
speech, and gave notice of the motion to bring
in the bill which gave rise to this discussion,
sat out with declaring that it was his intention
to restore things to what they were twelve
months ago-to restore the harmony Of feeling
in this House and in the country, to,what it
was at the commencement Of the last session
of Congress. This is good intent; and the
man who can accomplish it will justly be EN-
titled to the character of public benefactor !;
but do not think the measure he proposes
will accomplish this purpose; on the contrary,
may make matters worse, which are bad
enough. What are his measures. They are
first, to repeal the clause in the Kansas
Nebraska act, which abolished the Missouri
compromise line; secondly, to oppose the
admission of the State of Kansas into the
Union, if she presents herself as q slave
holding State. Now, do not think either
of those measures advisable, even if prac-
tieable, and will give my reasons for that
opinion. With respect to the first one, do
not think it could be passed at this session, and
its agitation could only disquiet the settlers in
Kansas, and, perhaps, retard its population |;
and with me the rapid settlement of the Terri
tory is an overruling consideration, as promo
ting the construction of the central road to the
Pacific, and as giving protection to emigrants
now travelling through the wild domain, with
out road of any kind made by the Govern
ment, and exposed to murders and robberies,
which the United States military posts can
neither prevent nor avenge. The present
agitation of the repeal could, therefore, effect
no repeal, and might have bad effect upon
the settlement OF the Territory, and, conse-
quenty, upon the contemplated road, and
upon the facilities due to the emigrants; and
these considerations, think, might dispose of
the; motion for the present session. At the
next, Think it will be superseded by all events
that Kansas will be ripe for State govern
ment, and be demanding admission into the
Union.
GThe member from Indiana then proposes to
resist the admission, if she has established
slavery. This, IN ay opinion, sciU be resisting
..<,lf IoI1 ID Ifff he S1Tfot mr.,
ENTITLED TO ADMIssIoN-ldring the other reqtti-
sites; ITHoRwITHoUT SLAVERY, AS sHEPIEAsEs;
and this not by viytue Of any act Of Congress TO
that effect, nor eren by ritste of the Constitution,
BUT BY VIRTUE OF A RIGHT ANTERIOR AND sUPE-
RIoR, BOTH TO CoSGREssA AND THE CONSTITUTION;
mean an inherit right Of State sovereignty,
possessed before The Constitution ,oas made, not
surrendered TO the Federal Government sohen Il
pas made, and therefore, retained the States.
Add 10 this a treaty right TO the same effect.
Kansas as a part Of the former prorince Of
Louisiana, acquired by Mr.. Jefferson, and has
a right, under that treaty, to be incorporated in
the Union as soon as IL can be done according
10 the principles of tie Federal Constitution.
The third article Of The treaty is crplicitto that
effect; so that the right Of the State 10 ddDais.
sion triH be absolute under her sovereignty and
the treaty, without any regard 10 her constitution
an relation 10 slauery.h
Saint Paul, but this is queeri The like Of
IL has not been known since that day when the
great Apostle was miraculously changed from
persecutor Of Christians into Christian. il
as indeed "a change las Shakespeare has IL
into something rare and strange"
The great Lion Of the North and bulwarE
Of the Freesoil-anti- Nebraska faith, has been
marvellously transmitted by a most magica
and mysterious process into a State-rights
man
But few short months have passed away
since the Nebraska. Kansas bill was before Con
gress. II proposed to repeal the unconstitu
'tional restrictive clause Of the Missouri Com
promise Colonel Benton opposed that repea
and opposed the bill with all his might and
main. He landed that compromise and pro
nounced Il TO be of 80 sacred character as e
be bipding. The bill passed and Immediately
the cry Of repeal was raised. SO active hat
Colonel Benton shown himself in opposition t.
1t, that the repealers looked TO him ms thei
candidate for the Presidency. He was pu
forward by many Of their papers and bis pecu
liar organ, the Saint Louis DqOvdt, signalizet
its devotion TO him, by copying, with appropri
ate comments, all the nominations he received
But, loi a change, sudden and sraculous
has been wrought in his viewsl 1t is ind
Gated by Mr.. Mace, that he means to on
pose the admission of Kansas into the Unto,
as State IL her constitution does not inhibi
slavery. Mr.. Benton instantly protests, bu
with tenderness by no means Bentoniar
Yet, while tender, the protest is very full, YER
strong, and quite circumstantial. He say,
"by virtue Of right, anterior and superior
both to Congressan the Consultation" to wi,
Gan inherent right Of State sovereignty, POI
sessed before the Constitution was made, nc
surrendered to the Federal Government whe
it was made, and therefore retained by I'll
States"---by this "anterior and superior right,
Kansas, as State, is entitled, other thing