New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-12-13
SOUTHERN LECTURERS AND NORTH
KrRN AyTnEDNGEE

/ SOUTHERN LECTURERS AND NORTH
EFsN AUDIENCES.
+ II seems little difficult to understand why any
Southern man should at the present time go into the
Northern States to lecture, especially upon any sub
iect that can be suspected of having even construct
i've political bearing The result of the last election
has shown that q powerful party exists in every
Northern State, whose sole aim. whose very vitality
and life is hostility to the South and her institutions
a party composed of political lascals, social rascals
strong -mnded women, fanatics and misguided men
protesting some natural honesty party which
holds the welfare Of these States and their union as
dust in the balance when weighed against their own
fanatical prejudces and ambitious designs II
Southern man goes to the North with view of pro-
claiming his opinions of the South and hey institu-
TONS or upon general politics, he must expect some
thing than passive hostility from this hybrid
offspring of 'isms, bgotry and sectional hatred. He
must expect that not only wevery possible obstacle
be thrown in his way every possible msrepresenta-
ton and caumny be heaped upon him. but that every
possible means short Of mob law-and, perhaps, even
that-will be put in requisiton to close his mouth
and drive him from his purpose.
What possible benefit to himself, or anybody else,
W. Gilmore Simnls could have anticipated from his
lecturing tour through the Northern States we are
u
when South Carolina, through her constituted au-
thorities is crying for sunion in consequence of
the encroachments Of the North upon Southern
rights this racile little writer of cheap novels must
step forward and shake in the faces Of the halfcrazy
fanatics the Historical events and the glories Of
South Carolina just as the maador shakes the red
flag in the face Of the enraged bull in the arena, and
with about the purpose-to get up additional
of irrito nd 1rha no ac
accomplished his evident purpose, and brought the
storm of fauaticsm upon his head he falls back upon
his dignity, constitutes himself sort of passive
champion of his State declares he cannot consent to
have her insulted through him, and so breaks the
gagement he had formed, and retres from the scene
with the airs of martyr to proscriptiye Northern
preiudices.
Senator Benton has been lecturing in Northern
cities recently upon The state of the Union and its
condition and DANGERS" and be, too, was violently
assaed by several organs of the Black Republican
faction Boston paper, in addition to attacking his
sentiments, and the subject matter of his lecture,
had the contemplate meanness to assert in sub
stance that his audience did not belong to the think
ing classes and that many left during the delivery Of
his lecture. This, if not positive untruth, argues
badly for the intelligence and taste of the people of
Boston. Whether be speaks or lectures, the old
statesman, where his mastery of languages and of all
the graces and figures Of rhetoric is known, of
a large audience, and few men can hold them more
complely interested, whatever the subject he may
choose to dila tie upon
Col. Benton we imagine, finds since the election
as many enemies in his own party as anywhere else
The incorporating independence in politics which
he often assumes, and the contemptuous manner in
which he has frequently cast aside the claims Of
party have made him hateful in the eyes of many Of
the leaders of the Democracy-those who keep their
eyes steadily fixed upon their political odestar, tr-
umph and the spells of office. Not that their aver
sion to Mr.. Benton arises from a directly opposite
tendency in this respect on his part Oh, no. Du-
ring his whole political life Mr.. Benton has shown
disposition to refuse the honors and emolumcnts Of
high public station and few Democrats have deserved
them more if we leave devotion to party out of the
question. But when it does not suit his purpose
when his oracular wisdom has not been consulted,
and thrust thus made at his pompous selt-conceit
the obstinate old fellow will not be whipped into the
traces he stands stock STILL kicks up and pitches
off his load he snaps his fingers at his party, and
turns his back upon it, or ashes its leaders, dema
gOgues hangers.on and toades with most merciless
whip, winged with the most whitening sarcasm and
bitter ridcule and piled with energy and anger
which, if petulant, are none the less terrible See,
for instance his st. Louis speech upon the Cincinnati
Convention.
Whatever may be the defects found by his political
friends Or enemies, it cannot be denied that the old
mans abors have entitled him to the honor and re-
spect of his countrymen. The hercuean task he has
undertaken in the last days Of long lifethat Of
pling and condensing the debates and proceedings Of
the American Congress, is one which few men would
hope to accomplish with half the years Of ordinary
lifetime before them. He is man of colossal intel
ect-an intellect often developing itself in strangely
eccentric forIcs but always great always command
! ing respect from the just and impartial. Yet, the
moment he apprehends danger to or country from a
powerful and aggressive faction and says So he is
sailed and denounced with opprobrous epithcts and
held to be either madman Or one who mlsrepresents
his own opinions for political effect.
Hear what the immaculate Beecher says of him and
his claims to the consideration Of the negro worship
pers:
But will respec; paid Col Benton which Nh Smns
His past services will he remembered These
however would no. suffice But the country Will not forget |
he the i,ther ofJts Fremont They vii! honor the tahei
pursued hard and cruel towards his lusrioN oin
law, he be snre when crowds assemble 70 near him. and
VIXEN audiences maintain respectful patience under his
that is not because they love his views but because 'ey are
eager, through him, 10 testify their favor to his children
That will pass for something uncomnoniy rich
Sweet Jessie! Fortunate Jessie, thus to shield he
sire from the frown Of Black Republicanism! Fortu
nate father to have so successful mediatress witt
, all niggerdom