The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1858-04-30
Death Of Colonel Benton.

IL
Il Is with great sorrow and regre. that ",
lchronice The death Of Colonel Thomas n
Benton. He was one Of the last survivor
Of that generation Of statesmen, who, porl
before the Constitution Of the United Stute,
was adopted, was personally cooversan
with the memorable scenes and incidents o
our early history, and i,s most distinguished
characters, and whose name at once serve,
TO revive the most glorious "reminiscences.
The year 1882, which witnessed The concu
sion oi the Revolutionary War. was indeed
fruitful |n the production Of men Of great
inteI|ec, md power. who ai,erward attained
the highest hogors Of The Republic. then
about commencing existence. Il saw Mar.
lin Van Bureo, Thomas II. Benton, John c.
Calhoun, Lewis Cass and Daniel Webster
born into The living and breathing world -
OF this installation OF talent aud genius.
three have now descended into the shade of
the dark valley Of death. The venerable
.ex.President Van Buren, and the no less
distinguished Secretary of State, Lewis
Cass, both at the great age Of seventy six,
yet survive, in the iull possesson-likc their
late ccmpeer, Mr.. Beuton-of their vIgor.
Gus intel eci. and with their mental faculties
unimpaired
Thomas II. Benton wss indeed most re-
markable and extraordinary man, and pos.
sessed peculiar elements Of greatness. We
ardly know Of any person in whom The
type Of individuality was more strong y
m nrked than ia him. His character bore
the impress Of great originality. aud on that
accoun, will stand ooi 10 broad relief upon
the historical canvass. One OF his most
prominent traits was the strength of his ~il
with his ndomiiable resolution aud fixed
tendency Of purpose. Il was this that gave
him such immense power, and made him
such formidable sntngonist in the political
arena. Nothing could overcome him. and
danger and difficulty made only the more
conspicuous HE daring courage, aud brought
into full exercise his strong aud vigorous in.
IeRect. He had some Of The highest quail
lies es great military leader. and we duub,
not dat had he been appointed. as President
Folk desired, Lieutenant General Of The
4 american sfmies in the Msxican war, bel
Sotli have won bright chapict Of MARTA
glory.
In the United States Senate he stood 90
De equal OF the greatest men who were ever
y that body. His speeches upon great na I
ioral questions were not ss subtitle and met.
physical os Dir. Cahoun's; nor so eloquent
I'D ornate in their diction, or 60 learned IL
'seis exposition OF constitutional law as yr. u
Ncbster's; nor did they glow with the fire
nd briliiancy ct Henry Clsy's; nor per-
'sps were they - entirely and calmly Ios
al as those Of Siiss Wright; but they were ,
is,ingu 'hed BY an emphatic encsgy Of ex l
rcssion, strength and solidiiy Of nrgu.
nent. pretundity Of historical illustration
nd scholar like research, that renders them
carcely inferior 70 The best productions Of :
Is able cempeers; and from them could be I
aken many extracts worthy OF being pre-. /,
eatcd as 6ne specimens o( manly and sena.
oriai eIcqsence. lie always discussed 4
uestsons elsborately and fully, after ihcr- /,
Ugh examination Of authorities. and when
. had finished but il,e mtre could be said |,
y anybody upon that side o. the suI lec, i
'hich he chsse ts advocate. !
His industry wac distinguished trait 81
- character. Through life hc was close .
lsdeai; and before bis death he had nccu. u
'ssated . greater store house OF learning p
nd facts than any statesman We remember i
{, with perhaps the exception Of John ;
loincy Adams.
Colonel Benton was born, as we have be-
,re said, Ia i7S2, in the state Of North Car. |"
lima. He emigrated early to the state ell
'ennessee, and by his vote in 1919. was
Feneral Jackson elected . Major General
the Tennessee militia, and placed in thu, :
os,icn which enabled him subse Quentiy 70
'nder such brilliant service 10 his country. =
oon after the war he went to Missouri, and
} ls2c he was elected one OF the first sen. y
oss from the new state; he continued 10
e senate until 1850. ! period Of thirty :