The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-02-14
Lecture or Hon. Thomas III. Benton on the
Union.

Lecture on Hon. Thomas III. Benton on tho
Union.
Hon. Thomas H. Benton, according 10 tho announce
ment pubished the daily spers and posted through.
out the city, delivered his copy rgbted lecture the
Unon INST evening, before the Mercantile Library Asso
citation, Of Dr. Chapn's church, Broadway. me night
was rather unsvorsble for out door amusement and 70
that fact may be partially attributed the somewhat Inn.
tied audience which greeted M Benton the spacious
edinoe not than half flied, and before tho
close OF the lecture, which took two hours 10 deliver
several persons withdrew. We may remark here how.
ever that lectures have not been very popular this sea
son. and Mr. Benton had larger audience than NO have
seen assembled in any lecture during the present
winter.
Tho lecturer made his appear about eight oolock
the appointed time, and looked in a. excellsns
health ~ his warmest friends could desire.
he was received with the most Catering marks OF Aen
ton and be was listened 70 throughout the two long
hours Of hs address with the utmost respectful oonsds
ration, not always with inereAt. his deliberate and
rather unimpassoned style OF delivery failed 70 excite
that enthusiasm which might be created by speaker OF
eas distinction but more warmth OF manner than Mr..
Benton. with the same lecture However, the audience
seemed to be satisfied and esed their satisfaction by
repeated applause when was mingled with fe hssoo
from the abolition portion.
he commenced with historical ,keoh OF the conssitu
ton and its compromises and then coming down TO the
Missouri compromise proceeded 70 show that ~ abol.
ton had created intense sectional feeling throughout
me country, which, not say ed must eventr ally results
in dissolution of The Union The inn.mma.ory
language that had been used 10 the free
incense that portion Of our country and arouse
the apprehensiops or the Shareholders 10 regard
They had again and again threatened dissolution cor
tain measures passed. but the storm had fortunately
passed over for tho time being The South had become
impressed with the des from the and attacks Of
some a the papers and orators OF the North that sgges
sions and encroact we're intended upon slavery
that crussde had besI set on foot against IT, and aid
Mr. Benton, In only u ose who live n the slave Staten
who fully comprehend the which the idea o.
slave insurrecoI the fear Of such thing creates.
It 10 what call the speculative philanthropy" OF the
North, ne continued that brought the South 10 believe
that would be measure of self defence 10 Withdraw
from the Union He then referred to the great change
which came over Ihe mind OF the people Of Virginia dur
,cg the last twenty years IN regard TO the question Of
dens Of her colleges we're taught thai It WAS
an evil that should be abolished such teachings were
be had himself in bis youngsr days procured the pes
.sge Of law giyrg ali the privileges Of trial possessed
By the white man to the ssvein that Stale he could NOS
ton OF that law aud which at the time received With
the most sppAusehe could ncs even repea.
one sentence OIL That act had been faithfully executed
for great many years, but remains upon the ste.
tue book amost obltersted condition and wholly
here a. the North IN regard 70 the raising Of siaves~i
had BEEN said that they bred for the marke-s
snsrge which Was no. only unicunded ou. which wss
saveholders. BE had seen 90 much grief among the
whites a. the departure Of slave a. Il . Nom
little children cliusipg 70 their fathers knees
calling him to kill the person who engaged taking
the slaves away from them. Yet all this sympathy =
chez ked pow-the people have become AFRAID OF giving
additional privileges 10 slaves lest they might be able
thereby 10 carry successful insurrecton. 10
prove the evil effects 70 the Union from the agitation q,
the slavery que stoD he farred 10 the dsunon
Tors 10 fact that OF the four great Protestant de-
nonnadtnx two spit from top 70 oosaom, while the
third " urrbly shaken BY Il. You know, said he n
was said that you eected . certain man President o.
The United states the Union would be dissolved Zap
psure.) You know What am abiding 70. (Renewec
appsuse) The fret step towG ds cssolvns the Uaion
would be OF hself easy one- only what followed
that 30 be dreaded. That frEt step would
doubleday be, he believed the rcfusato elect members 70
CorgYess, and Mr.. Madison said ould DO in
possible 70 retain any section OF the Union against
lie WILL should such . terrible calamity ever OCCUR.
every part OF the country would suffer, bet the South
would suffer most. Mr. Benton Was particularly severe
upon what he called speculative phi snthropy and At
uibuted 70 the sectional apimosiies which have Arisen
on the slavery qu'rion. II was tois philanthropy, said
be- which has created this feeling that threatens the
Integrity Of the repube. (Appauss and hssses.) BE,
however paid attention 70 these marks OF dissent but
proceeded with bis lecture, Of which have given In
be foregoing synopsis