, 1858-06-18
Col. Benton. rr gq
The NsO York Ne'Os pays the following
tribute to Mr.. Benton: .....


The Nsw York Ne'Os pays the following
tribute to Mr. Benton: .., ..-,,
Another of the distinguished statesmen
Of the period to which we believe the peo-
pie of this country viii look back as to
the palmiest era Of eloquenee in debate
and skill in argument on the 6Oer Of Con
gress has passed away from the struggles
Of earth. In the political history Of the
United States few have 6lIed q 1argsr
place, or played more prominent or inhu-
ential part than Thomas H. Benton. He
was not born great, be achieved greatness,
and by bis unwearied industry and appllca-
ton raised himself TO on equality in inhu-
ence with the eloquent Clay, the profound
Webster, and tho sagacious Calhoun.
There were indeed giants In the Senate
Chamber when these men and Benton,
Wright, and Buchanan mingled in the do
bates Of that body on topics involving to
no slight degree the very destiny Of the
country.
We doubt whether the British Parlia-
ment ever held circle Of more exalted
talent or greater power to sway the feelings
and convince the Judgment Of mankind.
The only time when fair parallel could
be instituted was when Fox, Pitt Burke,
Sheridan and Erskine were leaders in that
famous body. Since then, there have been
able logicisns aud pleasant and fluent con-
versationaists in the English Senate, but
none who would for moment compare
with the great debaters Of the senate Of
tho United States during the jackson
era. 1t was a time Of high party feeling,
and it called forth Efforts Of genius aud
monuments Of intellectual labor which will
last as long as the history Of eloquenes,
and craftsmanship, survives 7'.si g,,o,..,
Col. Benton had no inferior place, in thsi
galaxy Of great men Of his time; bis learn,
ing was profound and accurate, bis industry
was indefatigable, and bis powers Of anal
ysiS aud discrimination we're of the highs
est order. To these endowments Of intel,
lect he added n will Of iron and a reselu-
tion which neither tagged or acknowledged
defeat. BE was identified with the sue
cess Of the great political and inAuclul9
measures Of the administration Of Preai,I
dent jackson, and under the auspices Of
that illustrious man no aided most mate
rally IN the defeat Of the United States
Bank, the success Of tho principles Of free
trade, and the establishment Of the 1ndel
4 pendent Treasury proved now beyond per-
J adventures TO be the only safe basis for the
! fiscal concerns Of the nation.
\ All honor to col. Benton. He has sur
lyiyed the malignant ASSAULTS or tho petty
lpoHfistaas md negspapet wftlinRs Of tb6
day. who sought TO diminish great mans
inanence By caricaiuFing his pecuHdFIpga.
He has gone, and the Democratic party
will cherish the memory Of tho friend and
the defender Of jackson It Is true that
Col. Benton elung with the pertinacity
which belonged 70 bis character and BE
age, to the Missouri Restriction--it, Was
bis political Kremlin,-but this error can
not obliterate the gratitute the party and
country owe this able champion for thirty
long years Of faithful service. His great
work is in the main completed, aud L win
serve to perpetuate the fame Of its author,
who, himself an actor 10 these great scenea
Of intellectual strife, could do impartial
Justice to tho merits Of bis opponents,
whilst transmitting to posterity tho record.
Of the genius Of the American Congress
for nearly thirty years.