The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-04-28
Won Appls,on's New American cyelop0dis, Vol u;
THE LIFE OF THOMAS HART DENTON.

THE LIFE OF THOMAS HART BENTON.
'rhomas Hart Benton, an American states
man and Senator for the state OF Missouri,
vas born near Hillsborough, Orange Co.,
IN. C.) March IA, 1882. His father died
when he was eight years old his early edu-
cation was imperfect; he was for some time
At 1 grammar school, and afterward at Chapel
Till. the University Of North Carolina, but
hnished no course of study there, as his
mother removed to Tennessee, to settle on 4
tract of land belonging to his fathers estate.
Thomas studied law, and soon rose to emil
npnce in thas profession. He was now elected
tothe Legislature, serving only single term,
during which he procured the passage OF
law reforming the judicial system, and oil
another giving to slaves the benefit of a jury /
trial. the same as white men. One Of bis
earliest friends and patrons was Andrew
jackson, at that time Judge Of the Supreme
Court, and subsequently MJor-General OF
the State Militia. Benton became his aid
de-camp. and during the war also raised a
regiment of volunteers.
Notwithstanding the close intimacy be-
tween Jackson and himself, which was Of
the most cordial and unreseryed character,
rude and sudden rupture took place in which
severe pistol and dagger wounds were given,
aud produced rencounter that estranged
them Cor many years. After the volunteers
we're disbanded. Mr.. Madison appointed Col.
BENTON in 1918, Lieutenant Colonel in the
army, but on his way TO serve in Canada, IN
1914, he heard the news Of the peace and
resigned. He now removed to Missouri, and
took up his abode in the city of st. Louis in
1915. There he devoted himself anew to his
profession. Soon, however, engaging in the
politics Of the day, he was led to the establish
ynent Of a newspaper entitled the Missouri
Argus. In this position he was involved in
many disputes and contentious. Duels were
usual at that time, and he had his share Of
them with their unhappy consequences. In
enc Of them, which was forced upon him, he
killed his opponent. Mr.. Lucas, an event he
deeply regretted, and all the private papers
relating to which he has destroyed. His
journal took strong and vigorous stand in
favor Of the admission Of Missouri, notwlth-
standing her slavery constitution, and when
the angry controversy was terminated he was
rewarded for his labors BY being chosen one
of the first Senators from the new state. II
IA from this period, 1920, that his political
history and the great influence he has ex-
erted upon public affairs may be said to
date.
A man in the early prime Of life, possessed
Of commanding intellect. of large and libe-
,alculture, an assiduous student, industrious.
temperate, resoIute, ard endowed with a
memory whose tenacity was marvellous, he
eoon placed himself in the front rank oil
those who shaped the counsels Of the nation.
Asa representative Of the West, with the
manifold interests Of frontier population
intrusted to his care, Col, Benton forthwith
devoted himself to securing reform IN the
land system of the General Government. For
MANY wears he was the leading advocate and
supporter in the Senate Of the whole scheme
of'Western exploration. Ii will thus be seen
that Col. Benton became almost at the out
80. nf his career the exponent Of Western
interests, and though largely participating
in all the great measures and political strug-
vles that separated parties, be never neg
fected what was due TO his own immediate
constituency. The success which has already
attended land reform, the establishment Of
pre-emption. the graduation OF price, the
donations to works Of public Improvement,
ali trace their origin to his continuous labors.
Tpon the wider theatre Of national politics
.ae career Of Col. Benton was equally remark.
able.
In the currency disputes which attended
me expiration of the charter OF the Bank Of
.he United States. the re-eharter afterward,
and the final veto message Of Jackson, Col.
Benton addressed himself 10 consideration
az the whole question Of finance, circulating
medium, and exchange, and brought forward
his propositions for gold and silver curren-
cYas the true remedy for existing embarrass.
rsents, and the only Tightfnl medium for
government disbursements and receipts. u
vas from the financial policy which he thus
.nuneiated, that he derived the sobriquet o.
sOld Bullion" which has never forsakeT
Rim, and which also he never forsoOk. Al
The mover Of the Rxpunging Resolutions
Col Benton made himself especially obnox.
ious to bis political opponents, but fnall,
achieved success, and gained great per
sonal triumph. The motion was to STRIKE
from the journals Of the Senate resolution
Of eensure upon General Jackson.
Ia the violent rupture which had taker
Mace between Gen. Jackson and Mr.. Cal
houn, and which made is mark upon partie
az well as persons, Col. Benton bad warml!
espoused the side Of the former at the yer!
outset.
Shortly previous to that, the doctrine .
Modification had FIRST been preached at din
ner party in celebration d the birthday I
Mr.. Jefferson. receiving an endorsement froI
Mr.. Calhoun, aud meeting with strong re
buke from Gen. Jackson. After the ruptur,
political antagonism heightened the anlmos
fy Of the parties, and qualification assume
threatening proportions in the acrimoniou
disputes growing out Of the tariff regulation
Col. Benton, ia his close afiliation with u
Administration, became the leading Dem'
cratic opponent Of Mr.. Calhoun upon th
aues.iou N the Senate, and the diyergenC
l.-L -. .Eu-...l .t.nIl ..rn.r anI ..i1int