Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-08-12
The Late Col. Benton and the Ad-
miniStratiOn.

To the Editor of the Ne,c York Tribune:
SIR-Mr. Buchanan's success in thu
game of intrigue. induces him TO ply hi.
skill with redoubled eagerness, now thai
his ambition is stimulated by the hope .
restoring in his person the Washington
precedent two terms 10 the Presidency. -
He has full sway of the means of the Gov.
ernmen, to bring in aid of his genius fol
sly management; and the country will
therefore, for the first time, have thorough
test of the power of corruption, aided by
Executive machinery in the hands of an
adept.
When Mr.. Clay retired from the Senate,
and, as he thought, forever, he brought a
charge of corrupt attempt on the part OF
Mr.. Buchanan to influence a Presidential
election by bartering Offices. Mr.. Clay
supported his charge by a circumstantial
detail, and cited Mr.. Letcher, colleague,
to prove il. Mr.. Bachanan refused to al
low the witness to testify, having in good
time hound him to o-ssaseeS--Ge
a Ter retiring to the Hermitage, by letter
under his own hand to Major Lewis, de-
clares that Mr.. Buchanan wae guilty of
making corrupt proposition to Elm. Now
can any one doubt that the early instincts
for corrupt practice, which charterized MIR.
Buchanan in the dawn of his political life,
and which have marked it throughout. will
be wanting to the last effort on which all
his hopes converge,
Mr.. BuchaDan's inherent weakness early
in life impressed his native cunning with a
sense that lie could only rise on the strength
of greater and better men. The sheroisn
of Jackson, Clay, and Benton found no
place in him. His scheme was, by subser-
viency to them, to appropriate their pLwer
over public opinion. 1t is remarka Sle that,
by submission and fawning, after his frs.
great failure at political seduction, he saved
himself from Mr.. Clay's wrath and denun.
ciat ion. until sort of amnesty, growing
out of length of time, protected him; that,
by depreciation, he not only induced Gen.
Jackson to take upon himself the quarrel
originated with Mr.. CIay. but by solicita.
tions, through Gen. MuhIenberg and other
steadfast friends of Gen. Jackson, he pro-
cured an honorable exile in Russia, to
cover him from his shame; and by seeking
Colonel Benton, with complaints against
Mr.. Polk and the rest of the Cabinet, de-
ploring his connection, and asking advice
for his conduct, and making renewed pro-
testalions of his own devotion to the man
whom he had despoled of the honor OF the
final Mexican campaign planned by him:
he obtained forgiveness, and new hold
on the generous and confiding old Senator
and soldier, that afforded him the opportu-
nifty of the last betrayal of his confidence
When he died, Col. Benton. like Clay and
Jackson, left written testimonial declar-
ing the forfeiture of his confidence by Mr..
Buchanan. In the sketch of his life, sub
mitted to revision, and sent to the press by
him just before his fatal illness, he says
that he had supported Mr.. Buchanan
against his own son-in.law, Colonel Fre-
mont, and assigns as the reason conf
dence that "Mr. Buchanan, if elected,
would restore the principles of the Jackson
Administration, and the apprehension that
the success Of Colonel Fremont would en-
gender sectional parties fatal to the preser-
tion of the Union;" but he adds that "soon
after, he had occasion to change both opin-
tons." Colonel Benton's last political pub
lication, and brief note to me, give the
explanation. But before bringing the proof
from Col. Benion's own pen, recording this
condemnation of Mr.. Buchanan and the
Administration, it is proper that I should
advert to the cozening policy of the con-
scious intriguer, through which he has
contryed to evade the consequences, by
arraying on his side the sons Of the great
men whose confidence he had forfeited.
The mode in which Mr.. Buchanan has
attempted to relive himself from the weight
OF the testimony borne by the eminent men
associated with him in public life, striking
ly shows the plotting cunning on which he
always relies, both TO revenge and defend
himself.
When Major Lewis published the letter
OF Zen. Jackson, written at the close Of
lie, restraining his conviction that Mr..
buchanan was a corrupt man, having made
"a corrupt proposition TO him." the srtful
dodger :ook no issue uponit. His collssgue
in the Polk Cabinet, Cave johnson, is set
quietly at work to operate on young DIR.
lackson tthe heir adopted in infancy as a
son BY Gen. Jackson, being a twin child of
neighbor that could well spere him);. and
this person, who owes everything to Gen.
Jackson but his existence, was induced TO