The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-04-16
Death Of Col. Benton.

This distinguished statesman died at his
residence at Washington, on Saturday morn
in = last. His disease was cancer Of the bow
els, and was borne with heroic fortitude up
70 the hour of dissolution. His death has
been anticipated for some time. From BIZ
oCraphy of his life, published in the New
York Tribune of Saturday, we learn that no
was born near Hillsborough, Orange Co.,
North Carolina, March IL, 1892, consequent
ly at the time Of his death, he had exceeded
the period assigned by the Psaimis' for 'to
life of man. by six years. lie was educated
at Chapel Hill university, and at the close OF
his collegiate course, removed with his moth
or. his father having died when he was eight
years old, TO Tennessee, went into the prac-
tice of the law, and soon rose to emnence in
his profession. In the war Of 1872 he was APP
pointed by Mr.. Madison Lieut.. COL, but on
his way TO Canada in 1914, he heard OF the
news of peace, and resigned. In 1915 he re-
moved to Missouri and took up his abode in
the city Of ST. Louis, and engaging actively
in the politics Of the day, was elected in 1920
one of the first Senators from that State in
Congress. His congressional career, as
member Of the Senate, was one Of Thirty
Years duration, and single term he served
in the House as the representative of the ST.
Louis district. In the discussion Of all the
important questions which were had in the
halls Of Congress during the long period of
thirty years he was in the Senate, he took a
prominent part. We have not space for even
the mention Of the many and varied public
questions ofmngnitude to which his attention
was directed in public Life. His "thirty
years view," published in 1854, after his re-
tirement from public life, presents connect
ed narrative OF the great events in the nations
history for the period of time he was in the
public councils, and the part which he took
in them. lie was unwearied in industry, ell
oquent in speech, and We doubt not. patriotic
in purpose. II he failed in some instances Of
making his practical action consistent with
his expressed sentiments, as il seems to US he
did, it was perhaps owing to that unwilling
ness which men too frequently feel to loose
themselves from partizan organizations and
continue to give them reluctant support by
their votes, when their judgment disapProves
of their acts. Col. Benton commenced in
1856, his great work of an abridsement Of
the debates in Congress, from the foundation
OF the government, AMI devoted himself with
great assiduity almost to the day OF his death,
10 the work.
Mr.. Benton married, after becoming Sena-
tor, Elizabeth, daughter of Col. James Nc
dowell, of ROckbridge County, Va. Mrs. Il.
was struck with paralysis in 1874, and from
the time of that calamity. her husband was
never known to so to any place of iestivity or
amusement. She died in 1854. He leaves
four daughters, all married. The Boston
Journal, speaking of his death, says with
great propriety and truth
"ln one important respect Mr.. Benton new
or had superior among the great men OF this
country, and il is a trait which will ever make
his example Of peculiar value to young men.
We refer 10 that well ordered life, which was
the result OF temperance and the pure and
lnOuAkthSN VI hiAe houltOISl allec- a
tons. No vice threw its shadow upon his
powers, and the bitterness Of the world could
not cling to q nature kept sweet by the daily
delights of the fireside. His morning exer-
else and he instruction Of his children were
never intermitted by the grayest cares. Thus
he was always in working trim and thus we
have beheld the marvel Of iast-sinking in
valid. years beyond the Psalmist's limit of
life. conscious that but a very few earthly
hours remained 10 him, yet working upon The
annals Of his country with all the thorough.
ness and zeal Of vigorous manhood. II Was
an ending worthy Of Thomas III. Benion.-
His great work Of abridsing the Debates in
Congress, had been brought down to the Pc
rod he had designed; he had closed the
compilation, and dictated the final remarks.
The indomiiAble purpose that had thus bro't
him 10 the goal. then relaxed. and he was
summoned away TO a better world, and to In
eoneeiyably higher activities, for which his