Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-04-22
THE LAST HOURS OF THOMAS ii.
BENTON. y
The Funeral Exercises in washinEton,
Jurisprudence Of N. Y. Courier and Enquirer

correspondence vi AZ. OOuffef anu Enquirer.
WAsHINGToN, April H.
The, decease of Mr. Benton was noticed
IN .bothfH ouses. What was more interest
ing happened to witness the communica-
tion of the sad intelligence to one who
more than any other man in this state has
been the associate of Mr.. Benton in the
days when he was the bulwark of the ma
tionaladministration. The announcement
that he had passed away from the record
of the living, affected his friend deeply
He had seen Mr. Benton but a short time
since, when the activity of labor which
every day witnessed, seemed more like the
strength of the midday of life, than of its
twilight.
Who of the old guard Of the republic is
left? Van Buren,, Crittcnden, Bell, QuiD-
cy. Everett. The picture. but of the frag-
mcnt-the column is broken.
From the Globe of Saturday Morning, April 10.
THR Hon. TuoMAs H. BESroN-The an
nouncemcnt of the death of this great man
IN the House of Representatives yesterday
was premature, but now the sad event has
taken place, as will be seen by note from
William Carey Jones, his son-in-law,
which we append. We have not time,
before putting this paper to press, to write
even such notice of him as we could
write, and, perhaps, it is well for both
the living and the dead that is So
Who can do the justice to the memory of
Thomas III. Benton that he has so often
done to others9 No man living. 1t is
our opinion that he possessed more general
information than any man who has lived
in the ninteenth century, and could impart
all he knew as clearly and as impressively
as any man than ever lived. Thirty-two
years service in Congress, during which
time charges of the corruption of members
of Congress were rife, he was above sus-
picion. Net even charge was ever laid
at his door. Let that vouch forhis integ-
rity. .e4s 4aa
Mr.. buchanan called last evening, to pay
visit of coincidence to the family, having
having had brief and gratifying inter
view with Col. Benton on Friday afternoon
in which the latter assured the President
that he died at peace with all the world.
Col. Bcnton's will was opened yester-
day, to ascertain if any wishes had been
expressed by him regarding his funeral
None were found. 1t was drawn in Sep
TENDER, Just before the surgical operation
which involved the hazard of de ath, was
performed. His residence is here bcqueath.
ell to Mrs. Jones. and his library to Carey
Jones. as literary legatee. The residue Of
the estate is distributed among the children
Messrs. William Carey Jones. John G.
Fremont and Richard Taylor Jacob. sons
in-law; Montgomery Blair and Philips Lee
brother in law of Mr.. Blair, as friends.
Dispatch to the n Y. Tribune.
The supposed time of Mr.. Benton,
death was 7:35. though he glided off SC
gently that it may have been few min
utes earlier. Last evening when sIr. Ap
pleton called, he was too exhausted to con
verse. and merely signifed Tomorrow.
At tines t',rougi the night he was seizet
with spasmodic pains of great violence
otherwise he rested gently His las
connected words were about , this morn
ing when Jacob, his son-in-law, who wa,
sitting up. asked how he felt. to which
he family whispered, comfortable ant
content" teaf. -
About O'Clock this morning, Jones
another son -in-law, relieved Jacob and il
an hour afterward his children and family
were at the bedside till the final summons
a few minutes before his death the nurs,
applied ice to his lips. which were con
sciously moved for the acceptable refresh
ment.
His sustenance for three weeks past wa
hardly sufficient fer an infant, and it MAJ
be that his life was prolonged by the eifor
of the will only. His constitution wa
sound in every respect, and the diseas
which precipitated his death was strict,
local, being cancer of the rcctum. Tn
youngest grandchild, son of Mr.. Jones
died early this morning. Thus age an,
childhood so the long journey together.
Correspondence of the Detroit Tribune.l
WASHINGTON, April II, 1858.
Mr.. Benton's death was characteristic
! Courage, cccentricity, humor, attachmen
to friends and to principles. and, above all
egotism, marked his last moments, as the
had his whole life. s. ii
At the time his death was prematurel,
announced to the House. he was in bed
supported by pillows, irdi' eng the ia
ing lines of his last work, the Abridge
mcnt Of Debates! Among the incidents G
his last hours was visit from the Pres
ident, who had long conversation wit
the dying statesman. The interview mus
have been deeply impressive and affect
ing. . .e
One of the latest acts of Mr.. Bento
was to do justice to Henry Clay. and t.
correct several expressions towards him.
He said, upon the whole, he was pun
/ patriot, and nobly contended against nul
lifiers and disunionists to maintain til
Union and give peace to the country an
security to liberty. He congratulate
leading repub'ican that they were abor
ito finish the great work which NJ
Clay had begun, and that they woul
soon have their feet on the nccks OF IL
/ faction. - mi
| In the course of the night, before h
death, Mr.. Benton said to DR.. Hall, ii
attending physician, Doctor, l am dying
but I am not afraid to die. will d
like Jesus Christ and Socrates sesisi
/ Some time afterwards he tested abo,
la. IL