Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-08-17
Mr.. Benton's Book--South Carolina--
MIR. Calhoun..Mr, Polk.

He who writes history, often makes hlsto-
ry, and perhaps his fctions are innocent, be-
cause he only writes from his standpoint,
and sees things as represented to him in
totally different light by one set of men from
what another set, viewing the other side,
might represent them. This is eninently
true of all those who attempt to give histo-
ry of their own times, particularly If they
were active partizans in the political conflicts
of the day. Mr.. Benton has recently pub
lished elaborate books, purporting to be full
account of his thirty years in the Senate OF
the United States. He has there attempted
to give the detailed history of great events,
in which he might well exclaim, I" Magma
par&fui."
Soon after became of age, was sent to
the Legislature and from 1882, became
deeply enlisted in all the great questions oil
the day from that time until the present.
This circumstance led me to keep an accurate
memoranda, particularly OF everything that
related to South Carolina. Isee many points
in his books where he has done the grossest
Injustice to the State and to Mr.. Calhoun: as
identified with South Carolina. For instance:
the minute exposition which he makes of Mr.,
Calhouu's course as Secretary of War, IN 4!r.
NIunro's Cabinet, in relation to General Jack
son, the taking of the Baranca's, and impris-
oning the Spanish Governor in Pensacola, the
Johnny Rhea letter." &C., &C., all appear
to be quite plain and truthful to any one not
acquainted minutely with the detailed history
of these events, and yet there never was a
more perfect tissue of misconception and par
tizan views published in any book having the
slightest pretension to history.
The paper published, as purporting to be
left by General Jackson with Mr.. Blair as
lis last authentic record of the controversy
with Mr. Calhoun, and his defence before the
Committee Of the Senate, raised on the
"Seminolc war;" contains the severest accu
sations against the integrity of Mr.. Calhoun.
and presented to the world under tue cover
of the illustrious name of johnson, is well
calculated to produce profound impression
'upon the rising generation; and yet the con-
tradictions Of the paper itself, the totally diff
ferent style in which the first part OF it is
written from the latter part, and the appeal
which General Jackson says hon. John
Rhea" made to him under the instigation Of
Mr.. Munro, as all were "brother Masons,"
to burn the famous "Johnny Rhea," letter.
document so essential to the yindication OF
his own honor as well as to the true history
of an important event in the country and Its
administration, all show that if Gen. jackson
were alive and in proper mind, he never
could have permitted such document to 60
tortI. as his,deliberate production. MIR. Mum
ro was q Mason, General jackson was Ma
son, and so, too, was the famous Hon. John
Rhea, member of Congress from Tennessee.
Mr.. Calhoun was no Mason, and yet this
"exposition" represents Mr.. Calhoun as in
stigating Mr.. Munro to appeal to General
jackson, through "John Rnea," to burn this
famous secret letter, which represents aMr.