The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-03
Col. Benton on tho stump Ia Missouri.
PUTS THE SCREWS TO COL. PoLK--MEETiNo AT WAR
RENSBUR0.

RENsBUR0.
From the correspondence of the Missouri Democrst
Se1 ct Mr. SrsP in sas sSs de-
charges and insinuations (sgainst Benton) to which
have alluded IN my letters from Greenfield and
Fremont: IcePied this paper for publication, but
cond copy gave 1t to friend. who was DESTROYS of
possessing such document The following are
substantially the interrogations which were pro
pounded to Mr.. Polk through the medium of this
letter. which was "servedf upon him by Messrs.
Clarke and Gatewood
Did Mr.. Polk say or insnuate that Col Benton
was an aboltionist or black republican?
Did Mr.. Polk say insinuate that Benton was
striving to throw the election into the House of
Representatives, that Fremont might be elected,
Banks wasl
insincere candidate for Governor?
These questions were preceded by statement
that Col Benton was informed in Dade and Cedar,
that Mr. Polk had made these charges and insinua-
from the stand and in presence OF the meeting.
AS have said already. the letter or paper was De.
livered to Mr. Polk at the hands OF Dr. Clarke and
Mr.. Gatewood, VINO reported that Mr. Polk would
answer 1t at the place and in the manner specified
The meeting Yves large one numbering fifteen
hundred and would have astonished Mr.. Polk II he
had not seen the Calhoun assemblage for previous
ly he had been entirely unfamiliar with large con.
gregaticns Boih candidates were on the ground AT
the time appointed for the speaking to commence.
and Mr.. Polk, who had signifed his presence and
took seat upon the platform by invitation, when
Benton got up to speak.
Tenton's PREDATORY remarks were to this effect
He was candidate before the citizens OF Missouri
for the Office OF Governor; hut he was not cand-
date in the sense of exalling himself and disparag
ing his opponents. He had been tour weeks on the
canvass, speaking almost every day, and ne had
never mentioned the name OF either OF his competi-
tors. Neither the name OF Mr.. Ewing nor OF Mr..
Polk had escaped his lips in that time. He had
been born and bred amongst gentlemen, and taught
to think BY their example that disparaging remarks
made of an opponent were gross violation of coar-
tesy and unworthy Of a man Of honor. After some
fmtEer remarks of the same character Col. Benton
read a copy OF the letter, and read it with unms-
taxable sim and emphasis.
Mr.. Polk replied thus
He received note substantially, but not verbally,
the same as that which they had heard read
He denied the right Ct any man to PROFOUND
questions to him. but he would answer those
propounded by Colonel Benton. No man de.
shed to be more respectful TO his competitors
| than be DID, or was more soicitous to conduct
| the canvass in spirit of courtesy. he had not
said irsinuatt6 that Colonel Benton was an aboli-
ZIONIST, black republican or free soer. He had
us Col. 8eDtons mare, for he could not speak or
the history OF Missouri politics without mentioning
that 1t was true that be had argued tina. the
result CT running the ticket at the head of which was
Col. Benton might throw the election Of President
into the House Of Representatives, which might re-
| suit in tie election Of Fremont.
He had asked tie question if Col. Benton desired
to be Governor OF Missouri for the sake OF the office!
for in his letter OF the 18th Of March he had said
that even the Presidency had no attractions for him.
The presumption, therefore, was that he would not
desire an Office so much below The Presidency.
Mr.. Polk having given his answer, Col. Benton came
but forward and said that he did not say the thing
argued the thing Now, the difference between say
ing thing outright ard arguing or insnnating It,
was the difference between gong to place by n
straight course CT by circutous course; and some
tines argr melt and iDsinuaton more effective
way Of reaching it than direct assertion.
Mr. pol han gatH - ha had nor 0r
insinuated that Benton WAS free soier, black re-
publican or aboit orist. What he had argued was,
that he vote OF tho State might be lost to Buchanan
by two electors titl cts icing in the fed
Col. Benton said he would accep. the gentleman's
modification. he paid no regard to what bogus
rewspapers aid of him, Int 10 man having moral
character Nj. Polk bad should make such charges
against hIa end escape being he'd to responsible.
ly. II cry man said, argued or insinuated that
Pcnion was either free soic-. black republican or
alobiiOnist. he litd-f aDyb,dy heard such charges
made. they heard lie and sitter hat day, any man
who itrested such charges told lies, knowing them
to lie lies
There was no difcrlty in securing the vote Of the
State 10 Buchanan. Those who were camoring about
il could eject il very easily by auling down their
ticket But the real friends of Buchanan did not ask
ihatthey were willing to leave the decision OF the
questi, to the people OF the August election IL Mr.
Polk poltd more votes than Benton, let the elec-
icral ticket Of the party with which Mr. Polk was
identified lie allowed 10 stand, and our electoral
ticket be Withdrawn. II the ticket which was
lectora tickle. Of the antics lie withdrawn.
This proposition was made at the beginning OF
the CANVASS and yet these antics who pretended 70
be so soicitous about the vote OF the State had
accepted IT, t. ey acted like the false mother,
| when tie two women GENE before the wise man,
| Solomon each CLAIM ing the child. The false mo
tier Quickly aRreed 20 have the child cut in two,
al take ort lalf, Int the real mother cited out
slaii 4 Il giving M ali claims TO il ratter than It
| should le mmceisd. Thofe aut'es acre the ftlse
ne'fcr sLd wonld CIT the vote q the State IN two,
ttkt, f,sded BY Mr.. Pok got more votes tran that
| headed by Ben en-, our ticket would he withdrawn,
but II II got less, then theirs would aaye to be with
drawn, OF the people wonld 'rampe u in tic dust.
They would lot perm IL the vote OF Missouri 70 be
| lost 10 Buchanan by the Vaccinations Of bis enc.
mice. who vot'd seventeen tines against him In the
| Cincinnati CONVENTION.
| But their charging Benton with design TO throw
the election into tie Horse Of Representatives, that
Fitmont might lie elected. Banks was, seemed 10
him The sturidest lie which the antics had Jet in
vented. Berks wos rot elected at all, either by Q
majority Of The States or by majority Of the
/ bers and lever could have teen elected IL II had
feen necessary for him TO get either majority OF
/ The states or majority Of the members. AFTER
rire weeks trial the members had TO adopt the plu-
ralty Inle, ard Bsnks was elected by vote Which
was fourteen 81 than half the number Of members;
and counting BY States his vote was still smaller, for
Mr.. Aiitn got mole states than be did.
II tctk majority of States 10 elect the President,
! ard how then could Fremont be elected like Banks
wasf The majority in each State gave the vote OF
the State that trequrcd majority Ct states and
or merteTs TO elect the President. Besides, II was
the present House Of Representatives. or whom the
4 election Of President would devol,e IL the people
sbtuld foil 10 elect and what effect could Benton's
run ng for Governor have upon IN twas certainly
the s'upi6est lie the antics bad yet told upon hi In;
for in tie first place, the election would not go to
/ the Hcre, Tor Mr.. Buchanan would certainly he
elected by the people; Of that he had no G thly
| doubt; for the people knew that Buchanan. was a
man % pace and vas needed at the head Of afa- y
in their prescott disastrous condition. He had known
/ him long. ~ ley had entered Congress together,
| and be 1 Nv 20 be man Of conservative views;
i arc he know no that the state which he repre-
| scented was conservative State, end priced the
r,fte ard honor Of the country. Mr.. Buchanan had
not teen involved n the reres Of the Missouri com.
promise, and in thr other dsgraceul proceedings OF
| cheat, and the President did not swear 20 obey
/ thtm, bnt the constitution. Nr. Ruchanan was @
/ new man. end take notice that Benton the first
/ ran in the United States who called for o new man.