Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-04-24
ALErTrR rnom COL. nrSroN

The 81. Lonis Democrat publishes the fol-
loving extracts from letter written by Col
Benton few days before he died IL relates
to the great work to which he was deyotinr
the last days of his life
The 9th volume is issued and brings down
the abrldgement to the end of Mr.. Monroe
hrst Administration (ls2U The 7th volume
IS printed and in the binders hands (soon for
delivery, and will come into Mr.. Jobn Quincy
Auan's Administration. The 9Th volume is
10 the press. and will come deep into Gen
oacksons Administration 50 that as you see
so lar as the public and the publishers are
concerned, the great work is half finished.
But as it concerns myself, am far ahead Of
the press, and, in fact, almost through. |
gave out pubickly that will be done in two
months, but that was to allow margin for
accidents and mistakes. / expect to be done
In less than one month being now employed
on the great compromise session Of lS49.5O
lie and appear as antagonists with respect
to these measures but the antogonsm was
as to the form. aud not as the objects of the
measures. He wished the whole of the meas
ures TO be contained in one general compro-
mise bill; wanted the same measures, Tor
the most OF them, and their obiects). The
omnibus bill mis-carried but tie measures
passed separately, and were just as strong on
the statute book, in separate acts, as they
would have been ia general one. The an
tagonism then vas as to farm and not as to
measures, and ended in the establishment of
the same measures, and in the accomplishment
OF the same object namely, tie pacifcafion of
me country The abridged debates will show
all this, and that there was real crisis at
the time-"a crisis big with the fate of Rome"
Its paclhcation worthy of the last efforts of
Clay, and in accomplishing which his ardent
patriotism, bis devotion TO the Union, his dis
regard OF Sell his courageous self.reliance all
appeared in their midday force and spendor.
1t was not the blaze of the setting SUM- but
the MONDAY blaze of that great luminary. In
these flashes of courage and patriotism always
struck out when the Union was struck at. he
seemed to me to be the impersonction of
UNION, aud ready to be laid as victim on its
altar.
"lhis being the state and condition of the
work 50 'er advanced US to enable the public
10 Judge its character which judgment has,
IN fact been most iavotable-and also to see
the near completion of the work, | feel justi- |
he'd in expressing the belief that | have rem
dered accessible land | hope attractive) to |
the whole reading community the history of |
the formation of this Union and Of the spirit |
"a which it grew and of the spirit in which it !
was administered, carrying the noble vessel |
safely through every danger for near sevcnty !
years. have made oil the knowledge &C
cessble to every reading man, and knowledge
is power !-espe aialy political poweri and as
necessary to adorn public mans life, as to
enaole him to legisa:e benefcially for the
country and avoid the mistakes and errors
which often mortiiy himself. That is one OBJ
ject OF the abridgement and a high QUE, but
not the highest. The highest lies among the
most exalted of human action among the OBJ
ects which would reconcile distracted Union
by showing the examples of moderation, OF
Justice, Of condition Of defense, which Joined
US together and kept us together. The
abridged debates will abound with such exam
pies, aud from men Of such noble character
as will command veneration and imitation.