Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1882-03-23
The Benton Centennial.

Kansas Guy journal, Mare 4.
One hundred years ago to-day ThOm.
as Hart Benton, who served Missouri
for the long period Of Thirty years in
the senate Of the United States, was
born near Iiillsborough, n. c. His
father died when he was but eight
years of age, and his mother removed
to Tennessee. There young Benton
grew to manhood. In the war OF 1872
he was aiG-le-camp to Gen. Jackson.
His friendly relations with his old
commander We're broken off, and they
were enemies for some years. Col.
Benton came TO st. Louis in 1915, and
at once became prominent in the then
territory When the state was admit
ted to the union, now siXty.twO years
ago, he was chosen senator, and during
all his long career welded a power
that 10 Miss0uran has ever since at
tanned. He was a broad minded, liber-
al statesman, and about the only one
of his time who fully realized what an
empire lay west of the Mississippi.
Proud and naughty he was to his
peers, but he was ever a friend of the
people, and legislaied always in the
interest of the masses. In 1924, 1926
aud 1928 he advocated the granting of
pre-emptiYe rights to actual settlers, a
periodic reduction in the price Of pub.
lie land prOpOrtiOned to the time it had
been in the market, and a donation of
homesteads to certain persons. lie
presented bill embracing these feat.
ureS, and renewed it every year, until
it took hold upon the public mind, and
was at length substantially embodied
in one of Gen. Jackson's messages,
which secured its final adoption. He
also secured the passage of Il bill which
rendered the saline and mineral lands
of Missouri open for public occupancy.
AT the session of lS2J-3O he made
vigorous war on the salt tax, and sue
ceeded in abolishing it. lie was the
pioneer advocate of the building of
the Pacific road, and earnestly favored
The opening up Of trade into New
Mexico. Having become once more u
staunch friend OF Gen Jackson, during
the eight years which the latter filled
the presidential chair, he was the ablest
support Of the administration in the
senate He was the hardest of hard
money men, and vigorously aided Jack
son in destroying the United States
bank.
Although "A leader of the Democratic
party of His day, he was at heart Il
thOrough free sOier, and was finally
ostracised by his party for his views
on the slavery question. An army of
pigmics succeeded in OyerthrOwing the
Old hero at the end Of thirty years, but
he made gallant battle. When he
retired from the senate the people of
ST. Louis We're still loyal to him, and
sent him to the lower branch of con-
gress, where he served two years.
II s literary work consisted of his
Thirty Years View," in two vol
umes, and his "Abridgement of the
Debates of Congress from 1889 to
1856" The student who would know
tie political history of his country
will find it all embodied in these
works.
Col. Benton died in 1858, full OF
years aud honors, and left a name that
has grown brighter and brighter with
the lapse of years. lie waa a political
giant, but the last of his race in Mis-
souri,. None have come after him in
the Democratic party.
1t was at one time proposed to MAKE
Il general celebration of this centennial
throughout the sta e, but the idea was
finally abandoned, and the only demon
stration that will take place to-day il
honor of 'Old Bullion" will be that
under the auspices of the Historical
society at st. Louis.