Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-07-01
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

What q Fall Our earliest knowledge Of
Col. Benton was when he was the trusted and
admitted leader of the Democracy in Congress
under Jackson's administration. From that
day until the Texas question arose, he was
universally regarded by the party as the in
dividual who was certain to be placed in the
Presidency by them next after Mr.. Van Blu
rem. At that time he was VIGOROUSLY the
most vehement stickler for implicit obedience
to the action Of party onventions-county.
district, State, and National-in Congress !:
making fierce war on all who dreamed of cor =.
ceiving it possible that a Democratic party Con-
vention could do any wrong. Even personal
association with Wing or an Abolitionist was
an abomination in his eyes not to be forgiven
He made taur pas upon the Texas question,
and for bis own future q greater one in his
subsequent effort to snub and browbeat the
party into the adoption of his mistake as their
policy. Thus, he quarrelled with those on
whom he really had strong claims, who had
stood shoulder to shoulder with him for nearly
aquarter of century His bitter taunts and
sarcasms, carefully rehearsed, in advance of
their utterance in public, instead of making
them submissive to his will and views, only ex.
asperated them the more, and DESTROYED tbs
ties binding them to him. He was found, while
nominally supporting Mr.. Folks election, and
administration, really furnishing the Opposi-
ton most of its arguments against both By
the end Of the Polk administration he and
the Democracy Of the country had become as
bitterly hostile to each other as it was posi-
bic for parties with different principles and
totally diverse interests to be. Since then,
at no time has he acknowledged the au-
thority of the party organization nor has
ne lost any opportunity to bring it into dis
repute. His labor of love (hate y has been
to convince the world that the blackest hearted
villains and the greatest fools in existence are
those men, one and all, whom the Democracy
delight to honor. His history of his own
times" was undertaken, and has been faith
fully prosecuted, wholly to the end of render
ing them, and all others to whom he attributes
lot or part in the work of stripping MIN of the
confidence and control Of the great Democra-
tic party Of the country, unpopular. Nothing
in the shape Of SANDER, derogatory to then,
though insuring for him the contempt and
disapprobatiOn of the country, has proved too
low and too undignifed to be resorted to by
him; until his speeches, one and all, have be.
come mere vulgar falsehoods against sounder
men than himself Intellectually, politically,
and morally. So universally is this fact now
comPrehcnded that ninety nine in every hun.
dred men Of all parties realize and admit
there never was anything written, purporting
to be history, more unreliable than the state.
ments Of Colonel Benton concerning public
occurrences in which he participated.
bis last published speech delivered in
MlssourD illustrates capitally, the depth to
which he has fallen from his former high posi
ton as statesman. Embracing neither a
single original argument nor a single patriotic
sentiment original or 6lched, it is made ND Of
vulgar and dirty personalities and impudent
Vlrago-ish abuse of gentlemen from whom he
differs, conceived and expressed as though he
had studied as models, only the never to be
forgotten Mr.. Felix Grundy Mcconnell and
Mrs. Anne Royal, whose styles he manages T.
combine so artistically as that he cannot fai
70 draw shouts from some portions Of the mis-
cellaneous crowd usually attending the deliv.
ering Of stump speech in this country. Yet
Anne Royal would have done up" the vitu
Peration of his effort better. while Felix Grun.
dy Mcdonnell, would have ''out" blackguarde ed
even him, as great proficient in that accom-.
plishment as he has certainly become. Read
ing his effort on that occasion is sufi :ient &c
turn one who values dignity of character, re.
gard for truth and unselfshness in our public
men, SICK at the stomach over the thought tina,
one Of his now so evident low natural taste.
and brutal malignity of heart, could. BY
the force Of party drill and efforts 10 dispuis,
his innate propensities, for so long a period q:
Col. Benton did, maintain himself in a d;s,;,.
gui'hed public position in this community.
Thundsrstruck, by Gosh Never were gen.
uemen more amazed than were the Repub
means OF the House yesterday on fndine
themselves caught in their own tran. Tbei,
aim was to have rushed the Topeka made con
stitution Of Kansas through, sans ceremouis
thru'tiDg it down the throsts not only of it.
aVowed opponents, but Of dozen gentlemen
who voted with them only under the foolish
belief Of its overwhelming popularity in .h.
North. They the Republican, admitted
freely that its adoption by the abolitionists o.
the Territory was an act Of pslpabls revolu.