The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-09-18
Mr.. seEjamin's Recent Promotion.

cellor Of England tHatherieyl been
raised TO the sank ofQueen's Counsel,
which places him among the leaders Of
the English bar, where his great talents
and requirements as a lawyer will
have full scope for their display. Mr.
Benjaalin's success in England is quite
remarkable, although those who were
acquainted with the man, and had
been the witnesses Of his triumpls in
the United States, knew that he had
the capacity, the determination and
tic energy to achieve success in his
profession anywhere, DO matter who
his competitors were. Mr. Benjamin's
success is due not less to his iudomisa-
bls perseverance and industry than to
bis natural gifts, and his friends in
Louisiana uill he gra.ifad to learn
how well he is appreciated in the
LAND of his exile. The following arti-
cle is copied fron,s ons Of the leading
London dailies-the Standard, Of Au
gust IS, 1872. 1t 10 Gnely expressed
compliment, we'll meritea BY cur
former fellow citizen:
We trust there are none Of Mr. Ben
jan,i,,'s former compatriOts and COM
retitors in tie courts of the United
States who viii hot rejoice to hear
that their comrade has achieved sue
cEss in bis new career, and is once
more restored to q position not uuwor-
tl,y Of his talrpts ana Industry, how
ever far below that which he might
have hell, and did once hold, III his
native land. Mr. Benjamin is now an
oil man-Unt as an Engliah hArTister
10 is probably the Youngest that ever
APPEARED in u silk gown. Twenty
years ago, at tie age Of forty, he was
among the foremost pleaders OF the
United States, and represented Lou-
isiana in tic Federal Senate. Ten
gears ago TO had resigned that posi-
ton on the accession Of his State, and
was first Secretary Of War and then
Secretary of State ia the Go,eGnment
of the i'll iated Confederacy. In the
former past it was his misfortune t.
10 officially responsible for evils ana
disastGrs which no resources at hi,
command could avert; to have, under
tue supreme direction Of chief Whose
special aptitude and experience WeT,
thDse Of war minister, to maintain
without money, without ships, witlou
artillery, with scanty supplies Of arm
ami amnlnEition, and very inadequat
uambrrs, o life and death struggl
against the overwhelming power @
the North. His yindicatiun lies in tn
fact that it took four years to crusI
tho Confederate States. Aa SecretaF
o. State, and director Of the toTeig
policy Of the Government, lie was con
Eessealy as successful as the circunl
stances permitted. In 1855 the fall {
Richmond sent the Confederate Cos
eEnment into punishment, and the car
ture CT the President fuaily dissolse
1t. Sir. Benjamin was fortunate {
escape into exile-a rninea man.
great lawer, o man Of fortune and pos
ton in his native land, late First Hi,
lister Of an incipient Commonwealth
! ne had 60 begin life again at the age
: City i've in @ foreign country, CT
without any Of the advantages Of FL
tune, Interest CT connection which
> he'd von in tho course OF o long OF
labor;ous career. Most men Won
G have suns into despair and apath
!, finding tlleic own fortunes and Il
e hopes Of their country ruined by Il
II same hlow, and compelled at so u
g vanced an age to start again with {
the driiiculsies Of youth, but witho
3 the strength and spirits Of yonth
u conquer them. Not o few woald In
" been simply stnaued by the depth
~ The fs!l. Notso With Mr.. Benjamin. T
: late First Minister Ct his country I
. commenced life ne a law student I
leading lawyer brgan again to lea
: TIE laws Of another couutry. He W
J. called to the bar aftar o years. study
4. a becoming and rightful concession
bis years and learning; bat GRE viii
as Mr.. Benjasnin would 10 the frat
e acknowledge, ecagcely any bar /
~ that OF England wonld have made
~ favor OF foreigner and an axle. 81
:" she former leader had to take raHk
: the juuios Of junioEs; and in that
o. sition it ia very difficult for barris
to obtain lucrative or important bu
81 ness, seeing that the etiquette Of
10 bar places tho lead, 10 every case,
Ill the hands Of the senior counsel {
Id gagged, and that the juniors work
IL at once the least distinguished,
in worst paid, aud the fullest Of M
is arudgery. Mr.. Benjamin had but I
II. one incidental advantage, that
en- close of the war had entailed cert
to suits between the United States G.
III eminent and the agents Of tho c,
It, !ederacy in Europe, aud in some
We these lie was retained by the latt
and the conduct Of the cause left in
q