Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-04-16
From the Boston Journal.
Death of Thomas q. Benton.


His disease was cancer IN the
bowels, and though borne with heroic
patience and fortitude, fatal termination
was looked forward to both by the sui
ferer and by the sympathiEing public
The sad event has taken place, and we
can only give parting glance at the hte
now closed. Thomas Hart Benton was
born in Orange county, North Carolina
March IA, 1892, of parents who held an
honorable position during the revolu-
tionary period. He was educated at
Chapel Hill College, leaving, however,
before receiving his degree, and entering
Immediately upon the study of the law
at William and Mary College, Virginia.
The troubled state of our relations with
Great Britain induced him TO enter the
army in 1910; but in the year following
we find him at Nashville, Tennessee,
commencing the practice of the law
He soon after joined the westward tide
of emigration, and established himself
in Missouri Territory, where he became
the editor of newspaper, and subse-
uuently resumed his professional pursuits.
Five years residence had so favorably
commented him 10 his fellow citizens,
that in 1920, on the formation of State
constitution, he was chosen one of the
new members of the United States Sen
ate. As Missouri was not admitted into
the Union till August 10, 1921, more
than year of Mr.. BentOn's first term
of service expired before he took his
sea-. But, with his characteristic indus
try. the interval was not misspent, but
was devoted to the acquisition of the
Spanish language and literature. He al
once took a prominent rank in the Sen
ate. at a time when it comprised the
choicest talent of the country, and hi!
service proved so acceptable to his con
stituents that he was continued in hi
seat thirty years-making the longes
Senatorial career granted to any states
man of this country. Its ability wa
only less remarkable than its LENGTH
After his retirement from the Senate il
1851. he was more or less connected wit
the partisan movements Of the day, an
represented St. Louis in the House O
Representative for one term but hi
public life was substantially over. l
his "Thirty Years View" howevet
and his "Abridgment of the Debates
Congress" his public usefulness was ne
only continued but enhanced. They wi
-. ever remain monuments of their author
powers at a time of life when the mo-
of even Intellectual men are incapabl
4 of connected exertion, and will eve
:. serve as the manuals of those VIII
would undo rstand the political history
n this Republic.
,fI Such is the briefest outline of III
Il Benton's career To fill it up adequate
II ly would be nearly tantamount to writir
Il the history of the county's legislatic
k from 1921 to 1851. His voice was heal
y on every question of magnitude, and b
/, few measures we're left uninhuenced
e. his advocacy or opposition. His industl
g was unbounded. He examined ever
'e thing for himself, retained every ia
,e which crossed the field of his attentio
he and delivered his mind with the me
h unrestrained freedom. Some of /
IN speeches remain decided curiosities, VIII
W the topics that prompted them have go
N into oblivion. They are rhetorical co
er glomerates drawing arguments frc
re every science and illustrations from eve
lg thing. He pours out a fiery stream
pure logic, excoriatihg bits of person
. sarcasm, homely anecdotes, illusions
- ancient mythology, pertinent facts of h
tory, comicalities of the West, and VIII
ever else occurs to a grotesque imagin
ton, all with an overpowering earne
ness which YIELDS them into efficiency
- his purpose. His mental framework "
so sturdy and his will so energetic Il
he easily carried burden of facts Il
- would have broken down an ordinary {
2 batter. 1t is but just to say, howev
that his taste improved with advance
years, while his intellect showed no aba
ment of fruitfulness or force. Amo
the questions with which Mr.. Bento
memorable efforts will long be associa
was the great sectional contest of IS
in which Webster and Hayne were
- principal figures, the Q. S. Bank C
troversy, the Expunging Resolution,
Hard Money discussions, Nullifcati
the War with Mexico, the Annexat
of Texas, the Compromise of 1850, F.;
the Pacific Railroad.
ub-
The mere mention of these topics