The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-01
ANECDOTES OF BENTON.
Col. VIM. +. Switsler's Recollection OF
the Missouri Senator.

the Missouri Senator.
The editor of the Columbia, Mo-, States
man personally knew the late Senator Hen
ton, and whenever convenient attended his
appointments to address the people. He
was one of tho most trenchant, forcible and
instructive speakers in public life, and In
some respects very peculiar.
In his speeches to the people he did not
conform to the usual methods of other
politicians. He never appeared IN court
house, hall or grove before the hour
lincer about the place among the
people, talking to them. receiving old
friends and beng introduced to new ones.
He was always promptly on time, went at
once to the stand, stopping to talk to no
body, n without presentation to the audi
ence commenced his speech. He did not
take a seat in the chair on the stand, but
displaced his large, broad bgimmed white
hat, threw his silk gloves mo 1t, and
opened his oratorioal batteries without any
delay.
Another popularity of Senator Benton
was he never addressed the people as Pei
low-citizens,n but only as citizens" 1t
recognized the masses of the people as ''fel-
lowso of his, but simply as ''oitizens.'
In illusions to himself, his opinions on
public questions, and what he had done,
and intended to do he quite often inter
aiotea the personal pronoun 'I' and substi-
tinted Benton for it. Benton did,
denton says Benton will.' etc.
His mien was very imperious, domineer-
ing and martial, and he opposed his enc
mics to death. He raised the black flag
and asked and gave no quartsr.
During the tendency of his celebrated
''appeal'' from the Jackson-Napton pro-
slavery resolutions in 1849, Fayette, Howard
county, was regarded as the local point of
the opposition to him. Here resided what he
called the Fayetto Clique" and it consisted,
prominently and aggressively of G. =.
Jackson, DR.. John j. Lowry, DR.. Charles
May, 1s49, he came to Fayette, and in a
speech in the college chapel he bearded
the lion in his den.'' and in tho presence of
a large assembly of people. in which even
before he spoke there was much excite
ment, be made a characteristic address
strong, logical, incisive and defiant.
The Fayette Clique were all present,
occupying seats in the chapel, and re-
turned Benton's soowls with scowls of
their own. He came in a carriage
from the hotel, accompanied, as we
remember it, by. Joseph Wright
only, Who was among the few Benton dem
ocrats in Howard county. He marched
straight to the stand, looking at nobody,
speaking to nobody, and commenced: Cit
liens and friends. and by the term friends
l mean to include those who are here to
listen to the truth n to believe it and
none Others" The last two words were ut
tered with a vocal force that made the
Clique" tremble in their seats.
In Bolivar, Polk county, q very large
crowd attended his appointment, and
among those present was Colonel Robert
Il. Acock. a prominent, most reputa-
Bile and ~well-known citizen of Polk
county. and a lifelong friend of Ben
L.. H. l~,I ~ r~Ao1 f~u Lyr, is, %ho
legislature for United oeates senator, and
up to his appeal had been loyal to his
But the ''appeal' completely es-
tranged him anG he became violently anti
Benton. All this Fenton knew. And he
personally knew Acock.
During his speech Col. Acock rose in the
crowded audience, unfortunately with his
hat on, and asked the speaker a question,
whereupon the excitement became intense
and the entire assembly rose to its feet
Benton of course, heard the question, n
in a LOUD voice and with the mien of a field
marshal said: Citizens, who is this man that
inter. upts BENTON in his speech to the peo-
ponse came, Colonel Acock." Colonel
L. E. Acock." Continuing, Benton said:
Acock, Acock: no, citizens, not a cock, but
"a hen ratner.' And looking at the colonel
as only Benton could look. he pointed to
him and said in thunder of the shrillest
your hat and in the confusion it was
done. Take YOU seat, sir; take your seat,
sir,' and Colonel Acock and the entire
audience sat down and Benton resumed
his speech without further attention to the
At Commerce, in Scott county, when he
was a candidate for governor, a citizen dur
ing his speech arose in the audience and re-
specially asked him what would be his
course, if elected, on a certain subject
which was mentioned. He scowled upon
the questioner, and, repeating the question.
replied in a loud voice and defiant manner
'Citizens, Benton gives no bonds" and pro-
with his speech.