Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1862-09-18
The Foresight Of Hons John II. CLAW.
ton and Thomas II. Benton,
LEAF FROM RECENT HIST,

LEAF FROM RECENT HISTORY.
The late Senator Clayton was particularly saga.
clous and far-sghted in matters for which no on.
Por'unty of public appreciation occurred during his
lie time, and particularly in regard to the long
nurscd schemes and purposes of the Calhoun dis
uhlonlsts. friend has placed in our hands letter
addressed to MIR. Clayton by Mr. Benton, written in
lo93' IN answer to moro elaborate one BY Mr.
Clayton apparently written to Illustrate and sunport
some part Of the thirty years history then in prog
ress' Tins latter Letter is lost, probably being dcs.
Toycd at the fire in Mr.. Bon.on's house in Wash
ngion in 1856 bat it undoubtedly gave new facts in
support Of the position taken by Mr. Benton toward
the Calhoun dlsunionsts and it would be extrencIv
valuable now, for the light il would throw on the
origin of the rebellion. The letter of Mr.. Benton is
as follows:
July 81, 1855.
Dear Sr-Nany thanks for your letter lust re.
ecIvod You say nothing about its use but upon
the strength OF 1t can state what relates to the in
aex' making no reference to the source of infDrma
tion; 1t would be good if the whole letter could be
published. II is entirely coincdcnt with what NV
history is disclosing ~
nope you saw the chapter on Mr. Calhoun's nd.
mission Of support of the Missouri COMPROMISE. II
Is a heavy blow upon his fol overs, who are not
Pocai party but sect following their prophet and
Propagang his doctrines ard to whom n proof If
ialbllity is stumbling block.
DciicVe me, the feeling for disunon is becominr
current IN the slave States, and almost unanimous in
some OF them, and letter like yours would do rood
IN staying 1t. The slavery question is n covcr fr
.ile rcai motives which are, with politicians, alnbi
Ton; with the masses belief that the Union work
to the disadvantage of the South and that tbev will
DO better separated. 1t is upon this feeling that the
nulliIcrs work, and mask their DESIGNS with tho
dangers OF slavery, and making great progress.
ours truly,
r, THOMAs II. BENTON.
A"'S hurried note opens to us whole scene of
JOINT effort by these two statesman to expose and
defeat the reasonable purposes ofthe Calhoun school
The friend who furnishes this letter. and who 10 tho
custodian of Mr.. Clayton's papers, informs us that
hr' Clayton and Mr. Benton had several intorv;o,s
III ''e laucr part OF their lives, and good deal of
correspondence, IN regard to the event which thew
Doth seemed greatly to fear would soon come IN mao
As carly as the spring of 1855 they suspected tho
existence of secret order in the South, and corres
Ponded In regard to it. Mr.. Clayton also predicted
III A0oo' that one Of the candidates for the Presden
'lai chair then announced would ultimately reach
that long desired position, and would ruin the conn
Try when nc got there, by want offrmncss and
principle on the question of dsunion. The calamity
came as he predicted
This gian. growth Of Southern treason, from the
germ originating with Calhoun, is the wonder of tho
age Statesmen of the time of Clayton and Benton
sa" and fought it to an extent which few of rs had
previously known believed, and which is only
no" disclosed as the nations tragedy reaches its
ci''nax' They feared the succession of men of in.
rr purposes and little principle to the Presidency
ana they had reason for such fear. When thew
counseled together in 1855 as to the best mems If
meeting and defeating tho insdious growth of tho
nuiIlhers ambition and Of the deusons of their fol-
lowers, they were entitled to a degree of honor VIC
then little appreciated Whether it was in THAR
power or ours to avert the present ealamities we
cannot say, but it certainly was not with the Prcs
dency in the hands which held it from 1856 to 1860
and with cabinet controlled by Floyd, Cobb and
IhOmpsop-North american.
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