Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1877-08-11
TJIOM4S III. BENTON.
Personal Remln,ss eG<>cs by ~ Friend.

Personal Keminsss essres by ~ Friend.
The Hon John F. Dsrby delivered a,
address on Col. Thomas II. Benton las
week before the st. Louis historical so
ciety. After allusion 70 BcntOn's pecu
iarities, strength Of character, and hi,
early struggles, he related numerous in
cidents OF his personal courage, alluding
to his rencontres with Foote and others
When he was first nominated for the
senate, the opposition 10 him was very
bitter. The convention was held ut tie
cd Missouri hotel, on Main street. In
one of the rooms delegate Law diving,
and four stout negroes were placed one
at each corner of the bed and he was
carried to the convention, where he cast
his vote for Benton and died. When
Benton went to Washington Missouri
had not become state, and it required
the compromise bill of Henry Clay to
gain it's admission. He was kept cut of
his seat about twenty-five months, but
in all this time he kept busy and acquired
the Spanish language, having already
learned the Frol.ch from his associations
with French families in ST. Louis.
When the great treaty was made with
Spain he was the only one in the United
States senate who could read the docu-
ment. He was always at work, and Mr..
Webster once paid him a neat compli-
ment, saying: "When the senator from
Missouri spoke on a subject he evinced
such sound and thorough research that
he was always edited to hear him."
Col. Benton never availed himself of
the summer holiday, but while Others
were at watering places recuperating and
taking pleasure, he passed his time in
the congressional library at hard work
and study. His ability was 50 marked
that the sentence of DR.. johnson on
Goldsmith was recalled: "There was
nothing in the world he touched that he
did not adorn." His enemies admitted
his grand abilities, and Jim Green once
said, owe can beat the old fellow, but
we cannot get any one to fill his place."
He had the power through ability of re-
taing position more than any other man
in the United States senate. He op-
posed the railroad system for long time
and made some very disparaging com.
parsons between Illinois and Missouri
on that score. One day, representing
railroad committee, Mr.. Darby went to
Col. Benton to secure his aid in scheme
for the benefit of the city and state. He
spoke of Douglass having favored the
in another direction as being
to his personal popularity in
his designs on the presidency. Benton
replied: douglass can never be presi-
dent, his legs are too short, and his coat
tail hangs like cows, too close to the
ground" Benton then did help them,
and the speaker stated that he had his
frank on bill which ne introduced in
the thirty-seventh congress, providing
for the location OF a central highway to |
extend from st. Louis to San Francisco.
His speeches read better than they
were delivered his eloquence and reason
ing were the most powerful which this
country has ever produced. He never
used the phrase "fellow. citizens" in his
speeches, but plain "citizens." He
always spoke of himself in the third
person, in this wise: "Cicero was to
as Benton is to that nullifier,
Calhoun" In one of his campaigns up
the country, after a speech, Mr.. Darby
'aid to him, Colonel, believe you are
making an impression on these people,"
He replied emphatically: always the
,ase sir always the case. The terms of
Thomas H. Benton and the people are
anonymous"
He once spoke at Boonville and then.
It Fayette. At the latter place he said:
l spoke at the town of Boonvile last
light. Before I came old Doc Loury
nd others of his class said l would not
'e there; but when l arrived and COM
aenced speaking they walked in quietly
nd took seats, like a lot of disreputable .
haracters at baptizing."
At another time he was the guest of
ames S. Rollins, who showed him great {
ttention. After a speech Col. Benton