The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-05-13
THE MINNESOTIAN
FRIDAY MORNING, MAY u, 1854.
Col. Benton and Nebraska.


journal has not allowed us the opportunity 10
devote such attention as we desired TO matters
transpring at the capital of the nation. Doubt
less, however, most of our readers VINO pay any
attention whatever to political affairs, have read
Col. Benton's late speech upon the Nebraska
BILL If they have not, they should certainly
embrace the first opportunity of doing SO.
There has been number of marked and able
speeches delivered in either House since this
iniquitous trap was sprung upon the country.
but none that will, perhaps, do as much good or
create greater sensation throughout the coun-
try, than this one Of the great Missourian. 1t
combines history concisely presented; argu-
ment compactly woven, and scathing sarcasm
and denunciation most powerfully administer
ed. In short, it is just such production as we
might expect from the head and heart of - Old
Bullion" at the present emergency.
Col. Benton at this time occupies position
before the people of the free States which is en-
joyed by no other Democrat representing a
slaveholding constituency. Itmay be said that
Gen. Houston stands upon the same ground.
This is true in a literal sense; but comparing
the two, the people regard Benton as the great
leader and expounder, and Houston as merely
following, or honestly coinciding with him.
Both are spoken Of in connection with the next
Presidency, but i: requires no great discern
ment to anticipate the result touching the rela-
tive strength of the two men. In case the Ne
braska agitation should continue, it is easy to
foresee that party will exist, north of Mason
and Dixon's line, which will control the desti-
mics of the nation in the Presidential election Of
1856. However unpleasant it may be for us to
acknowledge the power and extent of this Sec
tional feeling, it exists nevertheless, as the
signs of the times clearly indicate and all of
us who stand opposed to the infamous measure
which has rekindled the old agitation of 1919
so, can only console ourselves with the fact that
the responsibility belongs not to us. We be-
lieve, as the exponent of the principle upon
which this great party stands, that Col. Benton
has larger share Of the support and confidence
OF the masses than any other man now living
But two years is long time in this railroad
age, and things may change very materially be-
fore 1856.
One of the most strikingly sarcastic and Sc
we're thrusts contained in Col. Benton's late
speech, is the allusion to the interference of
executive officers, public printers, &C., in the
affairs Of Congress. We make an extract: -
"Sir, the President of the United States can
send US no opinions except in written messages
and no one can report his opinions to influence
the conduct of members upon bill, without be-
coming obnoxious to the censurc which the Bri-
fish House OF Commons pronounced upon the
lord OF the bed-chamber, in the case of the King
and the Fox East India bill.
Nor can the Presidents Secretaries-his head
clerks as Mr.. Randolph used to call them-send
us their opinions on any subject of legislation
depending before us. They can only report
and that in writing, on the subjects referred to
them by law or by vote of the Houses Nom
Intervention is their duty in relation to our le-
gislation and if they attempt to interfere in
any of our business, must be allowed for one,
to repulse the attempt, and to express for it no
higher degree of respect than that Mr.. Burke
expressed for the opinions of British Lord
Chancellor, delivered to the House of Commons
in case in which he had no concern. Sir, /
suppose can be allowed to repeat on this floor
any degree of comparison, or figure of speech
which Mr.. Burke could use on the floor of the
British House OF Commons. He was a classic
speaker, and, besides that, author of treatise
on the Sublime and Beautiful though do not
consider the particular figure which have to
repeat, although just and picturesque i'm ITSELF
to be perfect illustration of either branch of
his admired treatise. 1t was i'm reference to
Lord Thurlow, who had interviewed in some L.
glslatlve business contrary to the orators sense
ofright and decency. Mr.. Burke repulsed the
Intrusive opinion, and declared that he did not
care three Jumps of louise for it. Sir, | say
the same fanny opinion which may be reported
here from our Secretaries on any bill depending
before us, and that in any form in which II
may come from them-whcther as unit. or as
integers.
Still less do admit the right of Intervention
IN our legislative duties in another class of in
termeddlcrs, and who might not be able to
NEEDLE at all with our business were it not for
the minlstration of our bounty sneak of the
public printers, who get their daily bread land
that buttered on both sides) by our daily print
ing and who require the democratic members
OF this House, under the instant penalty of no.
lltlcal damnatiOn, to give in their adhesion to
every bill which they call administration and
that IN every change which it may undergo
although mere changeable than the moon. For
that class OF Intermediates / have no parlia-
lnentary law to administer. nor any quotation
from Burke to apply-nothing but little fable
to read, the value of which, as in all good ia
bles, lies in its moral. 1t is in French. and is
entitled Lane ct son maitrer which, being
done into English, signifies, 1.-The Ass and his
master" and runs thus:
An ass took it into his head to scare his mas
ter, and put on a lions skin, and went and
stood In the path. And when he saw his mas
ter coming, he commenced roaring, as he
thought; but he only prayed, and the master
knew it was his ass so he went up to him with
acudgel, and beat him nearly to death
That is the end of the fable, and the moral of
us, caution to all asses to take care how
they undertake to scare their masters" (Great
applause)
Mr.. Chairman, this House will have fallen far
below its constitutional mission, if it suffers it.
self to be governed by authority, or dragooned
by its own hirelings am man of no bar
gains, but act openly with any man that acts
Tor the public good and in this spirit, offer
the right hand of political friendship to every
member OF this body that will stand together to
yindicate its privileges, protect its respectable
~, and maintain it in the high place for which
it was fntended-the master branch of the
American Government"