Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-05-08
THE GREAT SPEECH OF SENATOR
BENJAMIN.


BENJAMIN.
The event of last week was the Fridays
speech of Hon. j. P. Benjamin, the eloquent
Senator from Louisiana. Much was expected
from a gentleman who has so often distinguish
ed himself in that high forum, but the effort
far surpassed popular anticipation. 1t was
speech wor,' of the days of Clay and Web
ster: and rs a new evidence that if the
nation has these, its great minds, it can
point to new men whose present position gives
promise of a distinguished career in the public
service. Mr.. Benjamin unites to a style of cap
tivating and finished eloquence, most init
mate knowledge of the structure of the govern.
ment Standing at the head of the Louisiana
bar, and renowned as one of the ablest law
yers in the Southwest, it is refreshing to see
such man devoting himself to the calculation
and vindication of the true principles of the
Constitution, and applying to those principles
that thorough analysis which proves their vital
importance TO our existence as free people
at the same time that it dissipates the theories
of factions and asserts the great ends for which
our institutions we're established. There have
been so many ignorant Probabilities started in
reference TO the question Of popular sovereignty
in the North and in the South there has been
such a maze of prejudice thrown around this
question by ingenious men in the opposition,
and all this for no other purpose than to sub
serve q merely party ambition, that when an
intellect like that Of Mr.. Benjamin devotes
itself to Simplifying and setting forth the rela-
tions which the people bear to their own rights
as guaranteed by the federal compact and as
illustrated in their respective connections with
the Territories and States, we may well con.
graduate ourselves. 1t is in this respect that
the speech of Mr.. Benjamin will be acceptable
to the Northern Democracy, to those who are
willing to stand by all the rights of the South
at every hazard, but who, in order to do so,
should not be left TO the mercy of every aboli-
ton demagogue who is just able enough to in.
vent disturbing theories, and bold enough TO
push them into the free States as so many ire
sistable truths. We are glad to learn, there
fore, that Mr.. Benjamin's speech il securing
that wide circulation throughout the non.
slaveholdiDg States which its cardinal merits
deserve. II is not necessary that we should
commend the speech to our readers in the
South. There, where Mr.. Benjamin is known,
anything that he may say on great questions is
always sure to secure attention.
Mr. Beniamn's ayowal that henceforward
be would act with the Democratic party, will
and his extraordinary abilities, make him
valuable accession 10 the ranks of the Consti-
tutional party Of the land. We have noticed
lately in certain quarters disposition to carp
at the readiness with which such men as Mr..
Benjamin have avowed themselves members
Of the Democratic party. A contracted sus
picio1 has been excited, because most Of these
gentlemen, in taking position with the De.
mocracy, are known at the same time to prefer
the great statesman Of Pennsylvania as their
candidate for the Presidency, but all such
grovelling jealousies will be regarded as intole-
rably mean when compared with the high and
disinterested patriotism which actuates this
body Of independent men in joining themselves
to us. The Democracy receives them with
open arms; it gladly exchanges them for those
men who have fallen of from its column in ito
triumphant and fearless advance; it rejoices
o recognize them as brethren; and it may
yell appeal to the judgments of all those who
till adhere to opposing parties, in view Of such