The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-12

yenton lay down western platform, In opposnon 70 ue
National Democratic platform The following 10 the gisi
Of that proqras-the authorized and authoritative pro-
gramme Of Bentonism the exact programme followed
at Philadelphia SO far governmental policy and meas
ures are eoncernedand the line pursued by Colonel
Benton in his recent speeches:
In reply to this advise that Missouri rso me lac,
ties that ensaved her sister States OF the West ana
cut aloof from Cincinnati as well as from Philadelphia
Conventions and southern well as northern msruel
We advise that Missouri do at the present Crisis When
she holds in her hands the casting vote Tor the next pe
dency adopt the independent position That mas given
such overwhelming power her adyersarieso those VINO
have Systematically assaed and defeated her most needfu
measures. She has seen two administrations lall her
in these latter daysFmores not less than Fierce sne
cause both under the sinister influence she mas
seen the perpetual agitation of the slavery question kept up
blind and deusion, to cover as win Ve the al
her enemies she has her central route to
the Pacific botted from the map by Secretary at war
her rivers and harbors refused appropriations by Pres
den-her adjacent territories made the battlefield for
an intestine civil strife that seeks to make her own
SOIL also, the theatre OF contention; she has seen all
this and surely it needs not that mortal eyes should
witness open them TO vision OF the fate that
awaits her If she tarres longer in the trammes OF the
spoiler We advise therefore, as preliminary to TINS
STEP that the democratic convention soon to assemble at
Jefferson city, take manfu position and say to the leaders
of the democratic party soon to assemble at Cincinnati
that they choose between defeat full justice TO the
West Let the convention refuse to send delegates to Gin
cinnat but lay down the demands OF equity and ongde
erred rights in adcanc and require their recognition Let
say to the who shall meet to fashion the plank OF
democratic platorm--you must insert there oaken
timber for the West will not embark in your cause
Let it tell Presidentmakers and oiccseekers You need
varnish your Pierce plaster your Douglas and
seek palm them off again but give us some wor-
thy not touched with your epous disease OF slavery
agitation; otherwise will not cast the vote of Missouri
in his favor Let the Jefferson city convention choose
electoral ticket of lis own whose vote shall be cast in ac
cordance with the will of subsequent convention to meet
day specified and then announce to the nation the
grievances under which the West has been made wrhe
and labor for many years past Let Missouri set such an
| anda hall bay will be
found that the democracy Of other neghboring States will
rally with cheers and rejoicing to her firm and fearless
stand We have assurance Of this from many quarters
and therefore, cannot urge too strongly the adoption Of
The policy Of independence for the sake Of unity and strength
"There need be fear but that this position taken
will only be respected but will be responded to- Mis-
souri, holds the balance of power in the coming presden
a combat and the asprants for high places in the repub
lie will be only too eager to merit her approval and win
suffrage that will insure them ngress to the White House
ain saying thus much and in advising thus much, we
derelction to longprofessed principles of democ
raey If democracy means anything it means equality ;
and if to be crushed out in every vital interest by
the domnancy of southern cluster of States in coequa
confederation then democracy becomes by-word OF re-
proach."
Here was the policy marked which has since been
pursued by Benonsm in all Of its leading features with
respect to doctrines and electoral ticket That Benton
State convention met the 2st Of April two days after
the foregoing publication. In it two counties had
trolling majority, and dictated all that done-so small
it in numbers The editor of the Benton confidential
organ and Bentons confidential champion, (he present
Benton nominee for Congress in St Louis the
trolling managers. AS as it was organized A. A.
King from Ray county, offered series of resolutions in
favor of joining the democratic organization, nominating
common ticket, &c. Mr. Blair rose in excited manner
and made an embered and denunciatory speech against
the suggested union, denounced Pierce Douglas, and
Buchanan in the most unsparing and envenomed terms
and opposed every movement hostile to restoration of
the Missouri restriction. After warm discussion, Mr.
Kings resolutions motion of the editor above referred
to, Mr.. Brown sent 10 committee Finally,
mittee circumference appointed to confer with the dem
ocras and ascertain what terms union could be e
fected That conference held and after long
sion, the democrats proposed the following uA-
matum
"whereas a disagreement exists between the two con-
ventons Of the democracy now in session in this cap
tai to the fourth section OF the platform of this
| ton therefore,
Resolved That while the foregoing are the opinions of
this convention the present political issues of the day.
yet do not hesitate to recognise democrats all those
who while they do not fully endorse the fourth resou
ton of said PLATFORM yet acquesce in the passage of the
Nebraska act and cordially approve of the prnc
Pile of sefgovernment therein contained and favor
of applying that principle TO the organization of all future
Territories of the United States and Who pIedge hemselU
hereby do 10 support the nominees Of Ibis and the Dem
ocrdtic National Convention 10 be held Cincinnati June
| neEf.n
The following the fourth resolution TO which the Ben
ton opposed such unrelenting hostility:
a. Resolved That cordially approve the passage Of
the Kansas-N Nebraska act and Of the principle which IL
recognses-tha the people Of the Territories have the
right to form and regulate their domestic institutions
their own way subject only to the constitution Of the
United States"
The Benton committee refused that basis for union and
the conference dissolved. The Benton convention also
when its committee reported the offer made spurned it in
dgnanty and in the most violent language The Benton
faction would not agree to a6quiesce in the Kansas-Ne
braska act and approve its principle Of segovernment
pledge Themselves 10 support Tie nominees Of he Cincn-
natl Convention.
The Benton convention then inaugurated its Ve,tern
platform in these words
"6 That Missouri has a common interest with the
western States in the establishment of policy which will
distribute the burdens and the benefits Of
in opposing all calculated to advance the inter-
in the construction of public railway 10 the Pacific
through the hea Of the country in the improvement OF
western rivers and harbos in the ceson OF the pub
lie domain TO the States within which the same may lie
and in order TO naugurate and enforce this policy we
ve the united cooperation Of all the western States
resolution was then offered by Mr. King in favor Of
Mr. Buchanan, and Instantly poted down Every effort to
induce that Benton convention TO agree TO support Mr.
Buchanan the nominee Of the Cincinnati Conven ton
rejected At length II decided TO send delegates TO
Cincinnati under the following instructions knowing well
enough that the democracy Of the Union would not adopt
western platform and repudiae the Kansas-Ne-
braska act
cratic National Convention at Cincinnati he instructed
support no man for nomination for he pre,idenev rho IL
not knobn by his past dntecdens and political history 10 be
faporabe 10 pestern iHtss laid docn in the platform Of