Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-04-15


Cor. BENToN.-rhe Newburyport Herald,
in noticing the death of Col. Benton, makes
the following remarks:
Mr.. Benton was peculiar man-we have
had but one such, and may not see his like
again. He was nearest in his life and death
to the old Roman character OF any Statesman
in modern times. He could not be termed
great, as Webster or Calhoun were great, nor
eloquent as Clay or Everett were eloquent;
but he was great in his energy and industry,
in his mental powers which he had IN ost assid-
uously cultivated, in his immense stores of
kno wledge, constantly accommodating aud US
ed to enrich his addresses, aud Tor the benefit
of the nation great in his integrity that won
the esteem of friends and foes, IN his will that
never beut and never allowed him to iee
himself worsted, and in mis- patriotism which
prepared him at any time to sacrifice for his
country.
Mr.. Benton went into the Senate with the
admission Of new State, and his highest and
only aim seemed 10 be TO represent that State
in the Senate. When he was the favorte Of
President Jackson, and for many years stood
in the front ranks OF the democracy, doing ser.
vice upon all the disputed questions OF the
day. equal to what was rendered by any of his
associates. no offers Of appointments, no hope
Of wealth, no am btiou tor greater elevation,
could tempt him to forget Missouri, OF wish to
be other than he wss--lhe American Senator.
Such he would gladly have died. had not
faction supplanted him by inferior men But
when he tailed to be returned, though age
was upon him, he did not relax his labors and
did not cease 10 wish well, act well, and
write well tor his county. We say he acted
well and wrote well. He had strong preiudi-
81, hay ia1 H.
too much value upon some men aud events
and too little upon others. His "Thrty
ears in the Senate is by no means an i'm
partial, Though it is valuable work And
probably the same is true OF his "a bridglnent
OF the Congressional Debates" which be has
brought down to the Compromise Measures
of 1861, and closed with passing the highest
euogy to Henry Clay-so long his political
opponent. This work occupied the last Of his
lie, and he finished it when the cancer was
feeding upon his vitsls, his strength had TAIL
ed to the weakness OF infancy, HIS voice was
hushed to a whisper, and death stood by his
bed side waiting, as it were,I impatiently, for
him to say-my work is done.
Though Mr.. Benton was violentin temper,
and thereby occasionally led into imprudent
acts though he was sometimes rough in Lam
puspe, aud implacable to his foes, yet, when
out OF p0lltics ana III INC IetHemeht OF MS
home. he was as simple and kind and tender
as child. Never was man more affection.
cite 10 his Whenever one more devoted to
his children.
In the last days of his wife, he always while
in his study, had her seat BY his side, aud
when mind and body were decaying togeth-
er, be worked on with his books aud pen,
holding her hand in his and extending every
little act Of kindness that could give her plea.
sure. 30 he was to his fsmily--to his son. dc.
ceased some years sinte. and to his three
daughters, Mrs Fremont, Mrs. Jones and
Mrs. Carey, who survive and mourn one OF
the truest and best Of fathers.
And now he has gone--his battles are over
Ibis lab1rs are passed-bis hates are appeas-
ed--his loves are inactive here, and llfe's ht.
full fever ends in the Craze He died as he
lived, Benton to the last, laboring for this
world, and unappalled by his approach to the
! other.