The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-24


Col Benton commenced his canvass a candidate for
governor Of Missouri at Jackson in Cape Girardeau
IT, on the leth inst sketch Of his opening speech APP
pears his St Louis organ the Democrat ON the 18th
inst and il Is copied into the New York Evening Post Of
the 2lst inst This lastnamed fact is significant Of the
character Of the speech No one win suppose that the New
York Evening Post would have been prompt in trans
rrng TO its columns speech which was not regarded by
its editor as favorable TO the Of aboitonsm We
shall soon see the speech going the rounds Of the
know-nothing Journals and relied on as containing the
sentiments Of Buchanan democrat Col Benton played
the same treacherous part towards Col Polk IN 1874
Whilst he pretended 10 be friendly to his election, his
speeches against the annexation Of Texas which was
prominent question in the canvass constituted the best
capital for the friends Of Mr. Clay in the southern States
Col Bentons treachery not then appreciated as 1t is
now and for that reason we have no apprehensons that
he can play the same game with like effect at present
Col Benton sets out with the declaration that he going
to conduct the canvass with he and decorum
which are suitable the Office of governor and hence that
he will begin with "decency" by having nothing 10 say
against the many parties into which the State was divided
We have no doubt that this announcement was received
with qualification by his know nothing hearers de Was
not quite SO kind to the know nothngs as Mr. Lndey was
TO the Benonites. He passed eulogy upon them but
his silence was quite significant enough to indicate the OBJ
iec of his affected adecency" When Col Benton pracses
areserye and decorum towards political opponent he
means something His "decency" however, was limited to
the know-nohings Towards the democratic party he dis
payed all the bitterness and violence and OF his
nature His denunciaons of the Cincinnati Convention,
his MISREPRESENTATION of its action and Of its delegates his
Ind
| constituted prominent features of his speech
But the great point in COL Bentons opening speech was
his denunciaon of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise
Fer this he held President Pierce responsible and TO this
attributed the prevailing disturbance of the peace of the
country. He spoke this subject like every other black
republican and yet closed by announcing himself in favor
of the election of Mr. Buchanan In the face OF the
utons adopted by the convention, which thoroughly
tain the wisdom Of the repeal and on which platform Mr.
B. was nominated, and with perfect knowledge that
he fully and cordially approved those resolutions Col
Benton had the hardhood TO declare that he supported
the nominee because he expected him to restore the
| harmony" which the repeal of the Missouri Compro-
mise has destroyed"of course intending to intimate
that he expects Mr. Buchanan to favor the restoration
of that compromise. 1t consistent with Colonel
Bentons notions of decency' to indulge the lowest Vi
tuperaon OF President Pierce, Judge Douglas, Colonel
Davis and General Cushing and therefore, bis abuse will
excite other than feelings Of contempt but that he
should retain character enough for caudor and uhfu
impose any intelligent mind when he processes
friendship for Mr. buchanan in BREATH and in the next
distinctly impeaches his sincerity and integrity by as
signing to him a position in regard to the restora-
ton of the Missouri Compromise which Colonel Benton
knew he had expressly repudated what cannot be-
lieve Colonel Benton has heretofore played bold aud
oupoken mode of warfare but at present he has adopted
the policy of assuming the garb of friendship whilst he
secretly the stetto his victim. II anybody is i'm
posed upon By such friendship he manifests to the DEM
/ ooratic party the fault shall not lay at our door,