Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1910-10-13

MNII'1TTNlW dent of history. Web
Ellla!.aysSY ll..lIvLI ster, Clay and Calhoun
MN MIL are familiar words
EWS&H everywhere, yet Benton
W. NJ III served in the United
E5IS8JY States senate longer
WSS&SRk than any of these, and
was responsible for
more sound legislation than all OF
them together. His name was never
prominently connected with the presi-
dency, yet he accomplished more for
his country than have the majority Of
the presidents.
This remarkable man came into the
world in 1882, six years after the sign
ing of the Declaration of Independ-
ence, and departed in 1858, three years
before the Civil war. Thus his life Gov
cred the formative epoch of a govern
ment by the people in the making, and
ended just before the outbreak that
shook the foundations of the republic
and bathed the nation in blood. For
In the political sky and preferred to
believe the talk Of war between the
states over the question Of slavery
mere idle chatter. When he realized
that the sentiment of disunion was
real he took an uncompromising stand
In favor of the union and refused to
alter his position or trim his sails to
meet the breezes from Missouri that
were blowing the other way. Though
entering public life as an advocate OF
the admission of Missouri into the
union unrestricted as to slavery, he
left the public service in the evening
of life because he would not consent
to vote for the extension of slavery
into territory that had before been
free. He was a firm believer in the
doctrine of state rights, which was, as
he understood 1t, the right Of the
states to govern themselves as to all
matters except those delegated to the
federal government. His theory Of the
republic was an "indissoluble union OF
self-governing states"-a federated re,
pupblic.
His education, that is the school
part of II, was limited to the
grammar schools and a short time In
the University Of North Carolina In
q larger sense he continued his studies
until the day Of his death, and was
one of the best informed men Of his
time. While other statesmen were In
dulging in the designations common tc
that period among public men, he de
voted his spare moments to investiga
ton and study, and his knowledge o.
the details of public matters was vast
ly superior to that of any of his com
peers.
Benton's high moral character wa.
blemished by his pugnacious dispo
sition. In his early days he was In
volved in many affairs Of honor al
duels were termed then He had no
been in st. Louis long when the mos
unfortunate event In his career oc
CURED. In the trial of law sui
some trivial dispute arose between
him and a young attorney nance
Charles Lucas, highly esteemed an
most estimable young man. Luca
him. Lucas declined the challeng
at first, but Benton persisted an
offered deliberate insults. Lucas the
accepted. They fought first due
and no one being injured secon
meeting was insisted upon by bot
parties. In the second duel Luca
fell, MORALLY wounded. Before dyin
he took Benton's hand and forgav
him, but Benton never forgave hin
self, and the shadow of this TRACED
went with him through the years
his grave. The code-duello was II
sorted to in those days often for IL
significant things, and every publ
man of consequence had figured l
such an affair either as principal or SCI
ond. This duel was fought the yea
after Benton arrived in st. Louis
Four years later the father Of tn
Iamented victim Of the duelling cu
tom was one Of the unsuccessful cal
didates for senator against Benton.
His Fight With "oId Hickory"
Benton, like Andrew Jackson, we
of North Carolina birth, and, like o.
Hickory, moved to Tennessee when
youth just entering upon manhood
estate. He became Jackson's frien
while they both lived in Nashville an
co-operated with Jackson in raisir
the brigade of militia which BEGAN
the nucleus of the army that was
annihilate the British at New Orleal
and make January s, 1915, a red-lett'
day in American annals. II was {
Benton's advice that the brigade W;
formed and offered to the governmeI
by Jackson, and for time he was {
Jackson's staff. Their friendly 7
lations were, however, interrupt
by a disgraceful brawl. Jesse Be
ton, a brother Of Thomas Bento
mad fought a duel and Jackson HI
seconded the antagonist. An ang
dispute arose, Benton espousing b
brothers cause. Jackson struck BE
ton with a horsewhip, and in retu
was shot in the shoulder by Bentc
jackson carried Benton's bullet In l
shoulder until the close of his pre-
dental term, and the wound gave b
some physical distress to the end
his days. The feeling betwe
them ran high after this episo'
mot to subside until the hand of ia
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