The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-04-26

common scope and character, that gave him |
all his triumphs. His industry was great,
and his memory remarkable. His knowledge
was large, but 1t was in the domain Of facts.
He never rose to the consideration Of scien-
ti6c principles, and perhaps never even to
the commoner field OF philosophical general
nation. For himsslf, he claimed to be
49, Of "measures, pher than Of princ-
ptee 0r ideas. We should further qualify this
claim, by saying be was efy man of
safacts." His ideas Of currency and the gold
reform, which occupied him for many years,
were very crude; and 90 far as wo know we're
never improved by after study or reflection.
They found expression in the existing Sub
Treasury system. Another favorite meas
ure Of his vas road to the Pacific, across
the Continent. His services in establishing
the pre- smption system in the disposition Of
the public lands, were conspicuous. and their
results have been eminently bene6cent, but
We think the record Of his principal "meas-
urea must stop here.
| ~. Benton's mental activity being con-
! Gneato an inferior plAee of action, however
busy and industrious However constant and
indomitable he misht be, the very nature of
his e1I6rts preventl him from accomplishing
much intellectually. We look in vain in the
writings or speeches of such = man for any
of the electric influences and inspirations
which minds OF nobler mould often uncon-
sciously impart. He never spoke the word
/ which touched the nations heart. He him
self thought he would make good military
j commander, and perhaps he was right. OF
his personal peculiarisies, his egotism was
the m0et striking. 1t was source u enter
tanment 70 his visitors, his own apparent
4 uneonsciousness OF this peculnnity, or his
sabine aeonviction Of is pre-emineEt pro.
ptiety In his own case, giving zest to it's
0ftemimes extrayagant manifestations.
\ Oshis private life and domestic relations
it gives US pleasure to speak in language of
unqualified admiration. Ito was devoted
hushaud, and bis fond and considcratc at
tentlOna 10 % invalid wife in her declining
years offered spectacle honorable to hui
4 mainly. He was the preceptor of his chill
4 dfsn, who's he taught with the same indus
Il try and assiduity that he always manifested
in Whateyef he undertook. They were Ben
tonian 10 their ways, however, and did not
eli please him in the choice of their mates
hutws believe they all, at last, had his en-
tirs appfobAtion, the most rcpugnant Of the
matches TO the paternal care, wc believe,
hsin4 tho marriage OF his daughter Ann to
~ late Republican candidate for the Presi-
|. Idsncy.
q Nj. Bsnton's moral character as publ,
!, man 10 also deserving Of very high praise
In HE public acts, we believe, he always fol.
llowed tho dictases Of an honest purpose
He did not legislate for popularity, nor 70,
pay, nor for any individual advantage in any
4 way. He advocated and opposed public
measures on the ground Of what he consid
! cred 70 be their merits. His judgments ma,
have been cloudsd by passion or partisan
J. feeling, as, no doubt, 1t times they were
but We believe he Was always true to his con
victions. OF venality and corruption in leg
islation be had an instructive adherence
and duriAg the thirty years Of his Senatorial
. life, W - not think the perfect integrity o
!. bis vote - u subjects, whstAsF Of public
/ or privaee eAasaGlef, was ever impagned.-
| II this respect ~ example is worthy Of thu
! attention II all O. rising public men, who
! in this budding era Of corruption, are liksl,
Ito be tested BY ssversr temptations than tn
I Statesmen of the past. Whatever elseis un
ektanable in reputation to a legislator. til
proud distinction of integrity is beyond n
! mans reach, and it is virtue that n 20
likely to lose any Of it's lustre by beiss ~
common.