Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-04-15

Cor. Brx1ox AxD TIE CLOSE OF THE MEslcAs
Wharf.-The n. Y. Post writes one the bestin-
formed and most intel esting reviews of the life
of Col. Benton thatlse have yet seen in our ex-
changes;
Itgives behind the scenes" view of the ter
mination of the Mexican war. 1t also tells us
how it was that the proposition of President
Polk, to put Benton in command of the army at
that time, was not carried into effect. In speak
ing of this whole subject, the Post says:
There is one portion of Col. Benton's service
to the country, which is not to be found on the
pages of its history, where so much of it is to
be found; and yet it ought to be told, that the
honors which belong to the early and glorious
termination of the Mexican may not settle
on heads not actually deserving them. PrcSi-
dent Polk and his Cabinet had at the time re-
solved to adopt Mr. Calhoun's scheme "Of mas
terly inactivity" as it was called, and pause at
the positions acquired by General Taylor on this
side of the mountains and those in New Mexico
and California. He had prepared his message
to Congress to that effect The Secretary OF
War had issued notice declining to receive
additional regiments of volunteers authorised by
Congress, and the purpose OF extending on the
frontiers ard beating back the ASSISTANTS was the
plan adopted. This with the Spanish race,
would have been perpetuating, like that of Spain
with the Moors. When Benton returned from
Missouri 10 meet Congress, this scheme was
communicated TO him. He advised the Presi-
dent to abandon it, convinced him 1t was wrong
and at the Presidents instance, drew up new
plan of campaign, which was to strike at the
heart-tie capital-of Mexico, and end the war
in a national triumph, and Mr.. Polk re-wrote
the message TO correspond with this change.
Benton was asked by the President whether
he would undertake to execute the plan he pro-
posed. He agreed to stake himself upon it
This was the motive for the proposal to create
Lieutenant Generalship, which passed the House
but was defeated in the Senate, as was believed
by inanv through the intIigues of the cabinet.
a Major Generals place was then rendered to
him by the President, to place him In the COM
mand, but although the appointment was con-
ferrcd with this view, and to make the reSpon-
sibility of it rest on the Administration, the
jealousy which prevailed in the cabinet, and
which defeated him as Internationally er-
atcd again to prevent the performance of the
Presidents promise. So eminent 81 civilian, II
successful in closing gloriously the then ill
omened war with Mexico, might become Tor
midablc rival for the Presidential dignity, for
which there was then more than one competitor
in the executive councils. From that period to
the end of his career, Benton became the object
of jealousy and apprehension to the men placed
in power by the democratic party. The whole
power and patronage Of the government was
brought to bear to break him down in his own
state.
This was an easy work, for when a prominent
man has powerful party arrayed against him
at home, from opposite political views as was
his case, from the amtagonism Of the wings in
his state, against one so signalized as the oppo-
nent of all their cherished policy, the Admins
tratiOn, holding the other party in its leading
strings, may readily make such a diversion.
against a popular leader on its own side, as,
with the aid Of its adversary, will suffice to de-
stroy him This was Bemton's fate. He fell,
like Wolsey, by the hands Of those whose great
ness he had built up.
He fell FROM his place, but not from his use
rulness, His demise in the body may be truly
said to be the perpetuation of his lie. He has
written tine annals of his time, accessible to all,
and readable to such as desire to learn all of the
workings of the government from its founda-
ton to the present time. Never was mans
heart so given to patriotic function. Up to
within ten hours of his death, he was debating
in a whisper to his daughter who uttered his
breathings to her husband that he might finish
his work up to the period he had prescribed to
himself.