Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-06-01

THE speech of Mr.. Benjamin in reply to
Mr.. Douglas, from which we have already
quoted quite literally, is very remarka-
BILE one. Distinguished by even more
than the usual force and directness which
mark the efforts of Mr.. Benjamin, and
evidently carrying with it the appreciation
of the southern Democrats, it must be ac-
cepted as the final decision of the party in
that portion of the Union where the party
has any vital strength. The power with
of Mr.. Douglas, the polished SEVERITY %fftR
which he contrasted the former and the
present position of the Senator from Illi-
nois, have not often been equalled in the
contests that have been wnged on the ter
ritorial question.
Nothing in this speech was more remark
able than the extracts from the speeches
of Mr.. Lincoln, whom Mr.. Benjamin
frankly admitted to he a much more
conservative man than he had sup
posed. Mr.. Benjamin alleges that the
very arguments which Lincoln used in
his campaign with Douglas, were after
wards embodied by Douglas, in his ar
ticle in Harper's Magazine. We suppose
that this speech will provoke reply from
Mr.. Douglas. Whether it does or not, it
has done much to widen the breach be-
tween the Northern and Southern wings of
"the only national party" Mr.. Benjamin,
evidently speaking for the Southern wing,
says that reconciliation is out of the
question, that the confidence lost can new
er be restored, and that Douglas is ga fall
en- star" While this speech will doubt
less confirm the Southern Democrats in
their hostility to Douglas, and will repress
the manifestations that have been feebly
rising in his favor in some of the CONNER
cial cities of the South, it will embitter the
friends of Douglas against the seceders
and all who go with them. We think that
this speech is worth many votes to Lin
coin, and we are not sure but it would be
good campaign document for the Repub-
licans to circulate. The following para
graphs fairly read Mr.. Douglas out of the
party:
"Sir, il has been with reluctance and
sorrow that / have been obliged to pluck
down my idol from his place on high, and
refuse to him any more support or conf
dence as a member of the party. have
done so, trust, upon no light or unworthy
ground. / have not done so alone. The
causes that have operated on me have OPP
Grated on the Democratic party of the
United States, and have operated an effect
which the whole future life of the Senator
will be utterly unable to obliterate. 1t is
impossible that confidence thus lost can be
restored. On what ground has that conf
dence been forfeited, and why is it that we
now refuse him our support and fellow
ship. / have stated our reasons to-day.
have appealed to the record. have not
followed him back in the false issus or the
feigned traverse that he makes in relation to
matters that are not now in contest between
him and the Democratic party. The ques-
ton is not what we all said or believed in
1910 or 1856. How idle was it to search
ancient presidents, and to accumulate
old quotations from what Senators may
have at different times said in relation
10 their principles and views. The pre-
else point, the direct arraignment, the plain
and explicit allegation made against the
Senator from Illinois is not touched by
him in all of his speech. We accuse him
for this, to wit: that having bargained
with us upon point upon which we were
at Issue, that it should be considered
judicial point; that he would abide the
decision; ttlIt he would act under the decf-
sion, and consider it q doctrine of the
party; that having said that to US here in
the Senate he vent home, and under the
stress of a local election, his knees gave
1ay; his whole person trembled, dis
IdVersary stood upon principle aud was