The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-12
"OLD BULLION.
Address on the Life of Thomas Hart
Benton.
By Secretary Cook of III. Veteran Citi-
zens' Historical Society.

The regulsr meeting OF the Rhode
Island Veteran Citizens Historical Asso-
citation was held this afternoon at the
Elishs Dyer Yinton Home.
The address OF the day was delivered by
Secretary Daniel A. Cook ana his sub
ject was "Hon. Thomas II. Benton"
An abstract of Mr.. Cooks paper is as
follows:
SIN 1911 Benton was in the Tennessee
Legislature for one term, and. 10 his
great credit, IL can be said, slave hol der
and Soutnerner that he was, that It was
be who introduced and had passed bill
providing that a slave should have the
same right to the full benefit of q jury
trial as a white man suffering under the
same accusation.
SHOW well the spirit OF this law was
carried out Il may be difficult for US to
tell, but ii contrssted strangely with the
customs in South Carolina, Virgins and
Louisiana, where the slave was not al
lowed jury trial even when lis life was
In peril.
SIN South Carolina and Louisiana, IL
a slave was injured or killed when only
one white man was present and the pre-
sumption OF guilt fell on the white. he
was allowed TO clear himself by bis oath.
All honor to Benton for doing so much
TO mitigate the evils of American slavery.
He favored the war OF 1912, in which he
was a colonel OF volunteers under Jack
son, but never saw any actual lighting,
his services being rendered very valua bic
. by promoting enIistments In which his
presence and ability as a speaker served
him well.
"After the war Benton moved into
Missouri, which State he represented in
the United States Senate from 1921, when
IL was first admitted to statehood.
"Slavery was obnoxious to him, and
set he fully realized that it could not be
interfered with in bis time where 1t al
ready existed, and so he opposed as un-
wise, in Congress and out, all isc ussion
pertaining to 1t.
lie went to Congress, Il G guratively speak
ing, on the Missouri compromise issue
and be regarded 1t as he thought all par
ties did In 1920, as o permanent settle
ment between ths-yfHve ana the free
State.
In 1884, when the attempt was made
TO repeal the Misso uri Compromise meas
ure ;hers was no more vigorous oppo-
onent Of the step than Thomas III.
Benton.
This association may well feel a par
donable pride in the thought that no
man saw more clearly into the future at
that time than did our own Thomas
Davis, who said in speech delivered In
Congress In May ., 1854.
"Sir, let this compromise be repealed
and there will be but very little use for
compromises hereafter; they will have
finished their Iabors and finished them
selves. The country will have no further
service for them; they may be considered
dead and should be buried out of sight.
You have gained many victories for
slavery in this theater OF action. Per-
hsps you will mark your career by ono
more triumph but tell you, gentlemen,
it will be oesrly Dough victory"
After 80 wears in the Senate Benton had
the bravery and courage to go to the
House of Representatives. he nau lost
his seat in the upper branch OF Congress
because Of his refusal to stuitlfy himself
and violate his sense OF right by being
party to legislation, declined TO arouse
sectional Rate.
During the closing months OF 1856, ana
In 1857, Mr.. Benton spent some time in
lecturing In New England on "The Union
and How to Preserve II. 1t was for me TO
hear him in the Congregational Church at
Blackstone, on January z, 1857. He was a
tall man, with weight much above the
average and, although "a wears old at tnis
time, ne had every appearance OF being
n man likely to do good work for many
wears to come. His presence was helpful
TO him as a public speak,r. fpr. while
there are many notable exceptions, yet.
broadly speaking, there is something in
a large man, symmeiicslly formed and
decorous in dress, which lencs an added
charm TO human speech.
10 one who Was born with natural
fondDess for great men, and who Is still
much OF hero worshipor, IL wss a
momen; never to be forgotten when first
/ saw Thomas Hart Benton.
. Long before 4 knew the meaning OF
sOd Bulliop. had heard IL applied TO the
great advocate of hard money, aud quite
eeriy IN my lie was somewhat familiar
with many of the important facts bearing
upon Benton, so that when ] first saw
him ] felt that we we're not entire
strangers.
Benton died suddenly inWsshiuRton I'm
1858, and the State TO which he belonged,
with vet Others mourned his departure as
one who wilt ever be spoken OF as one o
of the great historic characters OF the