The Donaldsonville chief., 1910-11-12

AAe l4IiasazsAT SIeTs Gay ana Ga1l0uM
SShl. SSsEL1 are familiar words
SEgK 9SH everywhere, yet Benton
" W. served In the United
GgS1sJ2 States senate longer
AsS NY than any Of these, and
was responsible for
more sound legislation than all OF
them together His name was never
prominently connected with the prest-
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 1853, three years
before the Civil war. Thus his life coY-
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
many years he ignored the mutterings
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
sgoA,.s
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 IndissoIuble union Of
self-governing states "a federated re-
pupb1ic.
His education. that is the school
part of 1t, was limited to the
grammar schools and a short time in
the University OF North Carolina. In
8 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
duIglng In the dissIpations common to
that period among public men, he de-
voted his spare moments to investiga.
ton and study, and his knowledge Of
the details Of public matters was vast
" superior to that of an Of his com
peers.
Benton's high moral character was
blemished by his pugnacious dispo-
sition. IN his early days be was In
yoiyed In many affairs of honor, as
duels were termed then. He had not
been Ii ST. Louis long when the most
unfortunate event In his career oc-
Cured. In the trial of law SUIT
some trivial dispute arose between
him and young attorney named
Charles Lucas, highly esteemed and
most estimable young man. Lucas
won the case and Benton challenged
him. Lucas declined the challenge
at farst. but Benton persisted and
offered deliberate insults. Lucas then
accepted. They fought first duel
and no one being injured second
meeting was insisted upon by both
parties. In the second duel Lucas
sen. mortalIy wounded. Before dying
he took Benton's hand and forgave
him. but Benton never forgaye him.
self. and the shadow Of this tragedy
went wits him through the years 70
his grave. The code-duello was re
sorted &c sn those days often for in
significant things. and every public
man Of consequence had figured II
such an AFFAIR either as principal or sec
ond. Tnis duel was fought the year
AFTER Benton arrived IN St Louis.
-Four years later the father Of the
ia1nented victim Of the duelling Gus,
trytn was one OF the unsuccessful can.
didates for senator against Benton.
HE Finhs with Aold Hickory
Ranton. like Andrew Jackson, was
of North Carolina birth, and, like Old
e4ickory. moved to Tennessee when
vo,,fh lust entering upon manhood s
estate. He became Jackson's friend
while they both lived ii Nashville and
co-operated with Jackson IN raising
the brigade Of militia which became
4he nucleus of the army that was to
anufhilate the British at New Orleans
ana make January s, 1915, red-letteE
day IN American annals. It was on
Benton's advice that the brigade was
formed and offered to the government
hy jackson, and for time be was on
Tackson,s stan. Their friendly re.
lations were, however, interrupted
by a disgraceful brawl. Jesse ben
ton d brother Of Thomas Benton,
had fought d duel and Jackson had
seconded the antagonist An angry
dispute arose. Benton espousing his
brother's cause. Jackson struck Ben.
tom win a horsewhip, and In return
was shot in the shoulder by Benton
jackson carried Benton's bullet IN his
shoulder until the close OF his presl,
dental term, and the wound gave him
acme physical distress to the end Of
-. 5ava The feeling between