Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1858-04-18

| to be used as candidate for Governor Of Mis-
souri, Ia the election Of 1856
Once more laying aside the pen, and start
ing forth TO canvass the State, he was received
everywhere with enthusiastic applause. I'm
mense masses Of people gathered TO hear him,
his old political friends rallied to his standard,
aud his course became a triumphant process
sion. But a third list Of candidates was In the
field representing the American party, although
most Of its members sympathizsd with Col.
Benton. and those who did not voted for his ad-
versary instead Of the candidate Of their own
party Mr. Trusten Polk National Demo-
craft was thereby elected bv triiing plural
ity. Tho result OF CSl. Bent0n's canvass,
however, was to restore, ia a great measure,
the conservative feeling of the State, and to
prepare the way for a more liberal policy upon
all domestic subjects. His friends up to the
hour Of election were "a nguinc Of success He
himself was never so, but felt himself fully re-
paid for all his toll by the impress he bad made
upon public opinion, and TIE reaction be had
effected against disHnion politics IN the Pres
idential election Of November, 1856, Col Ben
ton supported Mr.. Buchanan in opposition to
his own sOn-in-lsw, Col Fremont. The req
son assigned by him was confidence that Mr.
Buchanan, If elected, would restore the prin-
ciples Of the jackson administration, and the
apprehension that the success Of Col. Fremont
would engender sertionai partfss fatal to the
permanenee Of the Union.
He soon after saw occasion TO chaage both
opinions, and although in reiiTment,he zeal0usly
opposed the administration Of Buchanan, and
inclined to unite with The opposition that pre-
sented itself in the Republican party. After
bis defeat in 1856, Col. Benton devoted bis time
again TO literary pursuits. Even before that
time he had begun his & Thirty Years View y
Of the working OF the Government. This was
and published in New York in 1854.
Il is a retrospect of Tn period during which
be held a seat 10 the Senate Of the United
States, and presents a connected narrative Of
The times from Adams 20 Pierce, developing
much Of the secret history Of the men and
politics of that eFOch.- Ne sooner was that
1f his hands than he engagra in the still more
aboriOus task of condensing, revising and
sbridging the debates Of Congress from the
foundation Of the Government to the present
line. In this work, although at the advanced
ige Of seventy-six, bis daily labors were al
most incredible, aud such as few men in the
prime Of manly life could support This was
in great part by means OF rO-
'ust constitution, temperate habits, regular ex-
'Tciss, and daily resort to he cold bath. His
lealth was still as perfect, bis mind unim-
,aired, and his interest in passing events as
Ibsorbing as ever. He also wrote, in an inter-
al Of leisure, a review OF the decision Of the
supreme Court in the Dred Scott case, which I
las attracted great attention.
With strong, industrious intellect, dOmi-
lating character, aud quick appreciating Of
nen, Col Benton exercised prominent influ-
nee upon national sfsirs. In Missouri bis
Ower was at one time boundless, and through
at the West be moulded public opinion to bis
Fill for many years While sdheTing to strict |
arty liass, he was able to effect almost every
hing he attempted, and often standing forth
lone he drew bis party with him, against the
7ilI Of Presidents and Cabinets. 10 his last
tempt OF this kind, however, be failed, and
7as forced to Telinquish Office as a cOnse-
uence; but this growing struggle was a testi- |
lOnY TO bis independence and sense Of duty |
la. will contribute no less to his fame with |
osterity than the hohoTs which be received |
trough party allegiance. Col. Benton was |
larrled, after becoming Senator, to Elizabeth, |
augster Of Col. James Mcdowell, of Rock /
ridge county, Va. His surviving children are |
our daughteTs-Mrs. William Carey Jones, ]
frs. Ann Benton Fremont, Mrs. Sarah Benton /
aeob, and Madame Susan Benton BOileau, |
ow at Calcutta, wife Of the French General. |
FRS. Benton died 10 1854, having been struck /
'ith paralysis in 1874, aud from the time of /
lat ca q My her husband was never known |
90 TO any place Of festivity OF amusement. |