Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-04-17
THE DEATH OF THOMAS HART BEHT"N

The premature announcement Of Mr.. Benton
death, which was sent forward from Washington
on Friday afternoon. was followed, early on Sa
turday, by the realization Of the expected event.
We were prepared ior This result 10y the condition
OF his heGlth for two or three months past, and
by his own clear expectation and energetic pre-.
para,ion for it. 1t is rare that the last days OF a
public man are devoted to labor as his have Teen
in the prosecution of purpose requiring great
ply steal and mental strength, and all this applied
with the most distinct consciousness tha. he had
but few weeks OF days to work. y is noble
and honorable spectacle TO rec long life so vigo
rousy and manlully carried to its very close, and
the nation paws deeper tribute Of respect TO the
menor7 of Mr.. Benton for this course, hy which
he has .isen in dignity Of tone and value Of pub
lie service not only through the last years but
also the very last days of his life. He dictated
portions of his work, the Ahrstsement of Con-
gressiona Debates. and letters TO various persons
during the day preceding his deceas..
Thomas Hart Benton was born near HILLSIDE.
rouph, Orange county, n. c., March "a, 1882.
He was imperfecily educated, though spending
some time at a grammar school, and subsequent.
~ study ying irregularly at Chapel Hill. His IA
ther Gied when he was eight years old, and his
mother, some wears la.er, removed 10 Tennesse,
where he studied law, attained prominence in
practice and was elected to the legislature of that
State. In one term of service he originated and
procured the passage of law reforming the j.
dicial system. and another securing jury trial for
slaves Andrew Jackson was All early friend
aud patton Uf Nh Benton, and when Jackson he
came major. general of tho State militia, Benton
was selected as his aid.de-csn1p, and raised re-.
| gment for the war of 1912. His intimate per-
sonal relations with Gen. Jackson were about
.. a.. I,, Il
aftray, which es,ranged them from miny years,
and after atemporary acceptance from Mr. Madl,
son OF place in the army as lientrnant.colonel.
in lSl 3. he resigned on the news Of peace, and
! removed in lsl 5 to ST. Louis. Here he engaged
in law and politics, establishing a paper the
| Missouri Argus, in 1917, and stoutly advocating
the Missouri side of the great contest Of 1920. in
regard to slavery in that state, and its admission
into the Union. For these services he was made
one of its first Senators, and his energy, ability,
and attention to western interests soon gave him
great popularity. For thirty years following, and
at five successive eectsonr, he kept the favor OF
his own State, as few public men have ever done
and held most important aud controlling place
ia the legislation OF the county.
i, 1850 the sharp antagonism between himself
and I'll, .inullifers." as he always called them
with Caih-nn at their head, produced division
OF his own pa in Missouri, and the anti Ben
ton wing eoaesce. Si,h the whlgs to defeat him
{ more upon personal gis' ,ssn any o,heI.
. nee the .nulhhcaton" wine - ri. n,r,v IN m,
+ state was never msjority ovsi n ro,hs,s T.
t lsb2 he was elected TO the House Co'ne' ne'' -
}, is,iSes IRON 81. Louis, serving actively. ~,
+. with his former senatorial success In tha' nc
u Cor one term. Mr.. Benton did appear 20 adsaI
u tase or feel at home in the House, and y wa:
n Measure 10 his friends to see him struggling IN
passmsn,ary @ w harness which did not ft him an
# At At Sissdvsn,sgs, as ho oiisn did. For the la IA
). ss.sion Of thst term he appeared to have give
!, mo he idss Of engaging In scsive seta's' ana