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QUINDARO CHINDOWAN
A FREE-STATE PAPER
VOL.I QUINDARO, KANZAS, No. 45, April 24, 1858
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY
J.M. WALDEN & CO.
J.M. WALDEN..............EDITOR
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The Parting Word
BY OLIVER WENDALL HOLMES
I must leave thee, lady sweet!
Months shall waste before we meet;
Winds are fair, and sails are spread,
Anchors leave their ocean bed;
Ere this shining day grow dark,
Skies shall gird my shoreless bark;
Through thy tears, O lady mine,
Read thy lover's parting line.
When the first sad sun sshall set,
Thou shalt tear thy locks of jet;
When the morning star shall rise,
Thou shalt wake with weeping eyes;
When the second sun goes down,
Thou more tranquil shall be grown,
Taught too well that wild despair
Dims thine eyes and spoils thy hair.
All the first unquiet week
Thou shalt wear a smileless cheak;
In the first month's second half
Thou once attempt to laugh.
Then in pickwick thou shalt dip,
Slightly puckering round the lip,
Till at last, in sorrow's spite,
Samuelmakes thee laugh outright.
While the first seven mornings last,
Round thy chamber, bolted fast,
Many a youth shall fume and pout,
"Hang the girls, she's always out!"
While the second week goes round,
Vainly shall they ring and pound,
When the third week shall begin-
"Martha, let the creatures in."
Now once more the flattering throng
Round thee flock with smile and song,
But thy lips, unweaned as yet,
Lisp "O, how can I forget!"
Men and devils both contrive
Traps for catching girls alive;
Eve was duped, and Helen kiss'd-
How, O, how can you resist?
First be careful of your fan,
Trust it not to youth or man;
Love has filled a pirate's sail
Often with its perfumed gail.
Mind your kerchief most of all,
Fingers touch when kerchiefs fall;
Shorter all than Mercer's clip
Is the space from hand to lip.
Trust not such as talk in tropes,
Full of pistols, daggers, ropes;
All the hemp that Russia bears
Searee would answer lover's prayers;
Never thread was spun so fine,
Never spider stretched the line
Would not help the lovers true,
That would really swing for you.
Fiercely some shall storm and swear,
Beating breasts in black dispair;
Others murmur with a sigh,
You must melt, or they will die
Painted words or empty lies,
Grubs with wings like butterflies;
Let them die, and welcome too;
Pray, what better could they do?
Fare thee well! If years efface
From thy heart love's burning trace,
Keep, O, keep that hallow'd seat
From the tread of vulgar feet;
If the blue lips of the sea
Wait with icy kiss for me,
Let not thine forget the vow,
Sealed how often, love, as now.
Thomas Hart Benton
We feel that no apology need be offered by us to our reeders, for occupying a considerable portion of this week's CHINDOWAN with matter relative to the great statesman and patriot who has so recently passed from the scenes of his earthly labors and temporal triumphs.
On Thursday morning the 15th inst., his remains were place in state in the Mercantile Library Hall, St. Louis. It is calculated that during the day, upwards of 25,000 persons visited the hall to look for the last time on the illustrious patriot, whose long life, indomitable will and untiring energy were devoted to promote the interests of his state and his country. The coffin was wrapped in the national flag-a fitting winding sheet for the noble and patriotic servant of the people.
The funeral took place on friday morning, the 16th inst., and was conducted in a manner respectful to the memory and fame of the great and good man. The following tribute to his memory from the Daily Democrat will find a response in innumerable hearts. Besides this we below place before our readers a sketch of Col. Benton's life, which we believe will be read with interest.
"Greatness is ended
An unsubstantial pageant all;
Drop o'er the scene the funeral pall."
Weave the cypress for the bier of the departed. Gather the burial cortege to lay his body within the final home. Summon fitting words of elegy to voice and sorrow of those who knew him in life, and mourn him in death. For this day, amid the drooping of banners, the low wail of martial music, and the multitudinous concourse of our citizens, the solem words-dust to dust, and earth to earth-will be spoken over the remains of thos. H. Benton-a statestmen without price. Let us deal gently with his errors, remember his labors, and embalm his virtues. In the fierce contentions of public life, his stern energy was not of a kind to conciliate rivals, or turn away the wrath of opposing parties, but all must concede that in every passage he bore himself with manly fortitude and daring openness of purpose. In the domestic circle he evinced what few who saw only his outward bearing would have penetrated-a heart overflowing with kindness and love; and from the tender solitude with which he watched over the decline of the gentle companion of his way, not less than from the infinite pathos in which, when summoned forth again to his country's service, he told of his occupation in planting assembled graves upon the sunset side of the Father of Floods, we have assurance that his naturewas warm with the pulses of a soft and genuine sympathy. In his solicitude for the preservation of a cordial unity of feeling, and a generous forebearance of hostility between different sections of the republic, he manifested ever a consistency of aim, and a purity of ambition that will model forth one of the brightest examples in history, to those who may hereafter be entrusted with the care of a nations honor and peace. In his closing hour, when all the vanities of earth had passed fron his thought, when his hand had dropped, released from the work at which he toiled, when his faint utterance had transmitted a dying wish that no unseemly action of Congress should mark his departure into the silent land, he gathered his robes around him with more than senatorial dignity, and marched into the Great Presence as calmly, as solemly, as consciously, as though he had sounded the depths of eternity, and had measured the spaces of the infinite. And thus-in his public services, and in his private attachments-in his arduous life, and in his majestic death-he has earned an abiding place in the memory of the American people whilst his name will be emblazoned more in the future than in the present, as one of the most illustrious of those of those who gave so much of renown to the deliberations of our national councils.
LIFE OF COL. BENTON
Col. Benton was born near Hilsborough, in North Carolina, March 14, 1782. He became a student at Chapel Hill College, but did not complete a course of study. Adopting the law for his profession, he prosecuted the study at William and Mary College, under the direction of Mr. St. George Tucker. His mother had now removed to Tennessee, and in 1811 Mr. Benton commenced practice in Nashville. He was elected to the Legislature, where he was influential in obtaining the passage of a law extending to slave the benefit of trial by jury.
One of his earliest friends was Andrew Jackson, then a judge of the supreme court. Benton became his aid-de-camp, and raised a regiment of volunteers to serve in the war with Great Britian. About this time occurred an estrangement, and a personal conflict took place between them at a public house in Nashville, in which pistols and daggers were freely employed, the general getting the worst of the matter.
In 1815 Mr. Benton received from President Madison the appointment of lieutenant colonel in the army, but peace was declared before he had an opportunity to distinguish himself. He removed to St. Louis, where he soon after engaged in political pursuits, and became the editor of the Missouri Argus. He was thus involved in many violent disputes, and one of them resulted in killing his adversary, Mr. Lucas, in a duel-a circumstance which he always regretted. His journal took strong ground in favor of the admission of Missouri into the Union, notwithstanding the slavery cause in her constitution. He was chosen by the legislature in 1820 to the Senate of the United States, and proceeded immediately to Washington to demand his seat. The memorable struggle that then ensued is familiar to all. Col. Benton employed the interim in the aquisition of the Spanish Language. At length, on the 10th of August, 1821, the famous Missouri compromise having been adopted, he was permitted to commence that eventfulcareer of thirty years which was terminated in 1851. He immediately took a prominent part in all important deliberations, and rose rapidly to eminence.
The occupation and settlement of Oregon early engaged his attention, and he employed his energies to impress his convictions upon the Senate. It is unnecessary to add that the agitation of that question was crowned with success, and the territory was occupied under the authority of the government.
The last Congress during the Monroe administration, was engaged in the consideration of the tariff and the famous "American System." Mr. Benton's position was unquivocal. He was the uniforn adversary of the principle of protection, fron his first entry into the Senate till its final overthrow in 1846.
In the memorable presidential contest of 1824, he was the strenuous supporter of Henry Clay, but became estranged from him when the Kentucky statesman gave his vote to John Quincy Adams.
In 1829 General Jackson succeeded to the presidential chair, and Mr. Benton became the champion of the administration in the senate. Every prominent measure of the new regime found in him an unflinching supporter. Opposed to him were the chiefs of the opposition-Clay, Webster, Ewing, Clayton, Poindexter, and Bell-each in himself a host and for several years they controlled the Senate. But he never Quailed. He had committed himself to the work, and now his genius inspired and supported him in this the greatest emergency of American politics.
The bad system of the general government engaged his attention and he labored with eventual success in securing an equitable pre-emption law, and the reduction of prices to their present standard. He was also an early advocate of a trasnsit route from Missouri to the Pacific. From his first entrance into the senate, he strove to engage Congress in the enterprise in the enterprise, and in his latter career he was the strongest, most earnest and energetic advocate of the projected Pacific railroad.
He was inveterate in his hostility to the Bank of the United States. It was his favorite boast: "Solitary and alone I set that ball in motion." The battle was long and fierce; the ground was disputed inch by inch; but the people sustained the administration and gave the control of the Senate to its friends. The removal of the deposits, and the treasury circular, both were ably and, in the event, triumphantly sustained by the iron-willed missourian. His earnest advocacy of a pure metallic currency is well known, and his persistence in securing the passage of the "expunging resolutions" evinced his courage, ability and stubborn devotion to the fame of his chief.
The course pursued by General Jackson towards the nullifiers of South Carolina required firm support in the national legislature, and again Colonel Benton was found by the side of the President. From that time he was regarded as the great rival of Mr. Calhoun in influencing the councils of the democratic party. He occupied the middle ground, which, in his judgement, was infinitely more safe, just, and calculated to secure the permanency of our institutions, than the extreme policy of the southern extremists.
Upon the accession of Mr. Van Buren, Mr. Benton continued his adherence to the administration. The financial revulsion of 1837 not a single diversion from his cherished principles, but seemed more fully to confirm in their correctness. He supported the independent treasury bill as the measure best adapted to the exigency, the best calculated to avoid future embarrassments, and are most sure to effectuate a permanent divorce of the government fron the banks. The elections were decided against the administration, and in 1840 the electorial vote of all but six states was cast for the whig candidate.
In the Harrison and Tyler administrations, the course of Mr. Benton was in perfct keeping with his previous career. He never stopped to win favor of the executive, in whom he recognized the facile instrument of that Calhoun policy which he had himself so long and vigorously opposed. He was willing to employ the advantages secured by the vacillating policy of Mr. Tyler, but not to condescend to the employment of any art to obtain them.
A state convention, in 1843, proposed his name as a canidate for the presidency, but this honor he promptly declined. Mr. Van Buren had suffered defeat for his stead fast prosecution of the Jackson policy, and Mr. Benton considered it it eminently just and proper that his claims should be submitted to the sober second thought of the people. for himself, the senatorship was the pinnacle of his ambition; he regarded the presidency as a responsible office, honorable indeed, but not to be desired.
The election of Mr. Polk resulted in the complete overthrow of the protective policy, and the triumph of the independent treasury. On the Oregon question he opposed the administration, which had declared for the line of 54deg. 40 sec., and in this event, his views were adopted. His course in relation to the annexation of Texas is well known. During the Mexican war his services and intimate aquaintance with the spanish provinces of the south, to whose history he had dovoted much attention, proved most useful to the government. Upon his suggestion the policy of "masterly inactivity," at first determined upon by the President, was abandoned, and a vigorous prosecution of the war urged in its stead. His counsels were much sought also, in regard to maturing a plan of campain and conquest for compelling a peace, and at one time it was proposed by President Polk to confer upon him the title of lieutenant general, with full command of the war, in order that he might carry out his conceptions in person. The project, however, was never consumated. The bill creating the rank of lieutenant general passed the House but was defeated in the Senate.
But the countenance given by Mr. Polk's administration to the Calhoun policy, and its introduction into the senate, began anew the warfare which was this time to result in Mr. Benton's political overthrow. The Wilmotproviso had excited alarm, and the South Carolinian introduced a series of resolutions bearing directly upon the territorial question, with a particular reference to the subject of slavery. Colonel Benton promptly denounced them as tending to disunion and civil strife.
In 1848, he supported General Cass for President, though he was the personal friend of Martin Van Buren. The division of the democratic party in New York occasioned its defeat, and General Taylor was elected. Till this time the people of Missouri had clung to Col. Benton as their apostle and leader. He had served them without interruptionfor more than a quarter of a century. He was thoughly identified with the history of his country. He had successfully carried himself in the face of all opposition. But his adversaries, themselves professed democrats, were impatient for the opportunity to supplant him. A herculean effort was required to defeat him, and it was made. The legislature of Missourihad been induced to pass resolutions instructing him to support the Calhoun resolutions, which he freely denounced, as tending to produce a seperation of the states. He resolved to appeal from the legislature to the people, and set about a canvas of the state, presenting it in every section in a series of speeches, which, for bitterness of denunciation, strength of exposition and caustic wit, have scarcely their equal in the English language. The whig party of the state at first sustained his position, but finding a prospect of reaping a triumph of their own from the divisions of the democracy, they changed front, and affiliated with his democratic opponents. The result, in 1849-50, was the return of a legislature largely democratic, but composed of opposite wings, the Benton men being in the plurality. Many ballotings for senator were had without compromise; but a bargain was at length struck between whigs and anties, and sixteen of those chosen by the people as democrats, but unfriendly to Col. Benton, voted for Henry S. Geyer, who was elected. Mr. Geyer was a whig, but had committed himself to the anti-Benton party.
Among the last acts of his senatorial career must be cited his opposition to the compromise of 1850. He declared it a vicious system of legislation, fraudulent as regarded the donations of lands and money to Texas, defective and ill judged in regard to the fugitive slave law. On the third of march, 1851, he vacated his seat in the senate.
Undismayed, and determined to vindicate his position, he became a canidate in 1852, for members of the House of Representitives from the St. Louis district. He was triumphant. He at first gave his support to President Peirce, but the administration soon falling under control of the the adherents of Mr. Calhoun, Col. Benton withdrew his support, and the administration, in turn making war upon him, displaced from office all his friends throughout Missouri. Soon the repeal of the Missouri compromise was mooted, and became a party measurein the shape of the Kansas-Nebraska bill. Against this Col. Benton exerted himself with all of his strength, delivering a memorable spech in the House that did much to defeat its passage. The next election coming on in 1854, Col. Benton was defeated in his own district by a combination of his old opponents with the American party. Retiring from active politics, he then determined to devote his leisure to writings and study more congenial to his age; but was prevailed upon by his friends t suffer his name to be used as a canidated for governor of Missouri in the election of 1856. One more laying aside the pen, and starting forth to canvas the state, he was received everywhere with enthusiastic applause.
In the Presidential election of 1856 he supported Mr. Buchanan in preference to his own son-in-law, Col. John C. Fremont, assigning as a reason, that the triumph of the former would rsult in a rstoration of the principle of the Jackson administration, and his apprehension that the success of Fremont engender sectional parties, fatal to the safety of the Union. We presume that these opinions have since been changed.
After his defeat in 1856, Colonel Benton devoted his time again to literary pursuits. Even before that time he had begun his "Thirty Years' View" of the working of the government. This was completed and published in New York in 1854. It is a retrospect of the period during which he held a seat in the Senate of the United States, and presents a connected narrative of the time from Adams to Pierce, devoloping much of the secret history of the men in politics of that opoch. No sooner was that off his hands than he engaged in the still more laborions task of condensing and abridging the debates of Congress, from the foundation of the government to the present time.
In this work, although at the advanced age of 76, his daily labors were almost incredible, in such as few hour in the prime of life could support. This was accomplished in great part by means of a robust constitution, tempetate habits, regular exercise in daily resort to the cold bath. His health was still as perfect, his mind as unimpared, and his interest in passing events as absorbing as ever. He also wrote an interval of leisure, a review of the decision of the Supreme courtin the Dread Scott case, which has attracted great attention.
The marriage of Colonel Benton took place shortly after his entrance in to the Senate. His wife was Elizabeth McDowell, daughter of Colonel James McDowell, of Rockbridgo county, Virginia. His only son accompanied Colonel Fremont on his second expedition, but was obliged to relinquish it, and died shortly after. Four daughters only survive: Mrs. William Carey Jones, Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont, Mrs. Sarah Benton Jacob, and Madame Susan Benton Boilcan now at Calcutta, and wife of the French Consul-General. Mrs. Benton died in 1854, having been struck with paralysis in 1844, and from the time of that calamity her husband was never known to go to any place of festivity or amusement.
For many months past it had been evident that the life of Col. Benton was approaching it's close. Last fall his daughter, Mrs. Fremont, was called home from Paris, to be present at his dissolution. But he lingered on, till it began to be hoped that a longer time was still allotted to him. For a few weeks past, however, it has been evident that he could not long survive. The disease which had been gnawing at his vitals could be baffled no longer. Nothing daunted, he continued at his labor, writing his quotations "Abridgement," and amending and correcting the proof with all the nicety and precision of earlier years. He was permitted to finish the last sheet, and then laid him down to die.
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER.
The following extract from a letter from Col. Benton's pen, relates to the great literary effort of his latter years.
"The 6th volume is issued, and brings down the abridgement to the end of Mr. Monroe's first administration, (1821.) The 7th volume is printed, and in the binder's hands, (soon for delivery,) and will come into Mr. John Quincy Adams' administration. The 8th volume is in the press, and will come deep into General Jackson's administration; sp that, as you see, so far as the public and the publishers are concerned, the great work is half finished. But as it concerns my self, I am far ahead of the press, and, in fact, almost through. I gave out publicly that I will be down in two months, but that was to allow a margin for accidents or mistakes. I expect to be done in less than one month, being now employed on the great compromise session of 1849-50, being the last of Mr. Clay's great efforts on the occasion. He and I appear as antagonists with respect to these measures; but the antagonism was as to the form, and not as to the objects of the measures. He wished the whole of the measures to be contained in one general compromise bill; I wanted the same measures, (or the most of them, and their objects.) The omnibus bill miscarried, but the measures passed seperately, and were just as strong on the statute book, in separate acts as they would have been in a general one. The antagonism then was as to form and not as to measures, and ended in the establishment of the same measures, and in the accomplishment of the same object, NAMELY, the pacification of the country. the abridged debates will show all this, and that there was a reel crisis at the time, "a crisis big with fate of Rome," its pacification worthy of the last efforts of Clay, and in accomplishing which, his ardent patriotism, his devotion to the Union, his disregard of self, his courageous self reliance, all appeared in their mid-day force and splendor. it was the blaze of the setting sun, but the noonday blaze of that great luminary. In these flashes of courage and patriotism, always struck out when the Union was struck at, he seemed to me to be the inpersonation of UNION, and ready to be laid as a victim onits altar.
This being the state and condition of the work, so far advanced as to enable the public to judge its character-(which judgement has, in fact, been most favorable,)-and also to see the near completion of the work, I feel justified in expressing the belief that I have rendered a great public service to the Union. I have rendered accessible, (and I hope attractive) to the whole reading community the history of the formation of this Union, and of the spirit out of which it grew, and of the spirit in which it was administered, carrying the noble vessel safely through every danger for near seventy years. I have made all the knowledge accessible to every reading man, and knowledge is power!--especially political power!, and as necessary to adorn a public man's wife as to enable him to legislate beneficially for the country and avoid the mistakes and errors which often mortify himself. That is one object of the abridgement, and a high one, but not the highest. The highest lies among the most exalted of human action "among the objects which would reconcile a distracted Union by showing the examples of the moderation, of justice, of condition, of defense, which jointed us together and kept us together. The abridges debates will abound with such examples, and from men of such noble character as will commend veneration and imitation."
The Parting Word
I must leave thee, lady sweet!
Months shall waste before we meet,
Winds are fair, and sails are spread,
Anchors leave their ocean bed;
Ere this shining day grow dark,
Skies shall gird my shoreless bark;
Through thy tears, O lady mine,
Read thy lover's parting line.
When the first sad sun shall set,
Thou shalt tear thy locks of jet;
When the morning star shall rise,
Thou shalt wake with weeping eyes;
When the second sun goes down,
Thou more tranquil shall be grown,
Taught too well that wild despair
Dims thine eyes and spoils thy hair.
All the first unquiet week
Thou shalt wear a smileless cheek;
In the first month's second half
Thou shalt once attempt to laugh.
Then in Pickwick thou shalt dip,
Slightly puckering round the lip,
Till at last, in sorrow's spite,
Samuel makes thee laugh outright.
While the first seven mornings last,
Round thy chamber, bolted fast,
Many a youth shall fume and pout,
"Hang the girl, she's always out!"
While the second week goes round,
Vainly shall they ring and pound,
When the third week shall begin--
"Martha, let the creatures in."
Now once more the flattering throng
Round thee flock with smile and song,
But thy lips, unweaned as yet,
Lisp "O, how can I forget."
Men and devils both coutrive
Traps for catching girls alive;
Eve was duped, and Helen kissed--
How, O how can you risist?
First be careful of your fan,
Trust it not to youth or man;
Love has filled a pirate's sail
Oftern with its perfumed gale.
Mind you lerchief most of all
Fingers touch when kerchiefs fall;
Shorter all than Mercer's clip
Is the space from hand to lip.
Trust not such as talk in tropes,
Full of pistols, dagger, ropes;
All the hemp that Russia bears
Scaree would ansswer lovers' prayers;
Never thread was spun so fine,
Never spider stretched the line
Would not help the lovers true,
That would really swing for you.
Fiecely some shall storm and swear,
Beating breasts in black dispair;
Others murmur with a sigh,
You must melt, or they will die
Painted words or empty lies,
Grubs with wings like butterflies;
Let them die, and welcome too;
Pray, what better could they do?
Fare thee well! if years efface
From thy heart love's burning trace,
Keep, O, keep that hollow's seat
From the tread of vulgar feet;
If the blue lips of the sea
Wait with icy kiss for me,
Let not thine forget the vow,
Sealed how often, Love, as now.
Thomas Hart Benton
We feel that no apology need be offered by us to our readers, for occupying a considerable portion of this week's CHINDOWAN with the matter relative to the great statesman and patriot who has so recently passed from the scenes of his earthly labors and temporal triumphs.
On Thursday morning the 15th inst., his remains were placed in state in the Mercantile Library Hall, St. Louis. It is calculated that during the day, upwards of 25,000 persons visited the hall to look for the last time on the illustrious patriot, whose long life, indomitable will and untiring energy were devoted to promote the interests of his state and his country. The coffin was wrapped in the national flag-a fitting winding sheet for the noble and patriotic servant of the people.
The funeral took place on Friday morning, the 16th inst., and was conducted in a manner respectful to the memory and fame of the great and good man. The following tribute to his memory from the Daily Democrat will find a response in innumerable hearts. Besides this we below place before our readers a sketch of Col. Benton's life, which we believe will be read with interest.
--"Greatness is ended
An unsubstantial pageant all;
Drop o'er the scene the funeral pall."
Weave the cypress for the bier of the departed. Gather the burial cortege to lay his body within the final home. Summon fitting words of elegy to voice and sorrow of those who knew him in life, and mourn him in death. For this day, amid the drooping of banners, the low wail of martial music, and the multitudinous concourse of our citizens, the solemn words--dust to dust, and earth to earth-- will be spoken over the remains of Thos. H. Benton--a statesman without fear--a patriot without price. Let us deal gently with his errors, remember his labors, and embalm his virtues. In the fierce contentions of public life, his stern energy was not of a kind to conciliate rivals, or turn away the wrath of opposing parties, but all must concede that in every passage he bore himself with manly fortitude and daring openness of purpose. In the domestic circle he evinced what would have penetrated-a heart overflowing with kindness and love; and from the "??? tender solicitude ???"with which he watched over the declined of the gentle companion at his way not less than from the infinite pathos in which when summoned forth again to his country's service, hi told of his occupation in planting assembled graves upon the sunset side of the Father of Floods, we have assurance that his nature was warm with the pulses of a soft and genuine sympathy. In his solicitude for the preservation of a cordial unity of feeling and a generous forbearance of hostility between different sections of the republic, he manifested ever a consistency of aim, and a purity of ambition that will model forth one of the brightest examples in history, to those who may hereafter be entrusted with the care of a nation's honor and peace. In his closing hour, when all the vanities of the earth had passed form his thought, when his hand had dropped, released from the work at which he toiled, when his faint utterance had transmitted a dying with that no unseemly action of Congress should mark his departure into the silent land, he gathered his robes around him with more than senatorial dignity, and marched into the Great Presence as calmly, as solemnly, as consciously, as though he had sounded the depths of eternity, and had measured the spaces of the infinite. And thus--in his public services, and in his private attachments--in his arduous life, and in his majestic death-- he has earned an abiding place in the memory of the American people whilst his name will be emblazoned more in the future than in the present, as one of the most illustrious of those who gave so much of renown to the deliberations of our national councils.
LIFE OF COL. BENTON.
Col. Benton was born near Hillsborough, in North Carolina, March 14, 1782. He became a student at Chapel Hill Collage, but did not complete a course of study. Adopting the law for his profession, he proscented the study at William and Mary college, under the direction of Mr. St. George Tucker. His mother had now removed to Tennessee, and in 1811 Mr. Benton commenced practice in Nashville. He was elected to the Legislature, where he was influential in obtaining the passage of a law extending to slaves toe benefit of trial by jury.
One of his earliest friends was Andrew Jackson, then a judge of the supreme court. Benton became his aid-de-camp, and raised a regiment of volunteers to serve in the war with Great Britain. About this time occurred an estrangement, and a personal conflict took place between them at a public house in Nashville in which pistols and daggers we freely employed the general getting the worst of the matter.
In 1815 Mr. Benton received form President Madison the appointment of lieutenant colonel in the army, but peace was declared before he had an opportunity to distinguish himself. He removed to St. Louis, where he soon after engaged in political pursuits, and became the editor of the Missouri Argus. He was thus involved in many violent disputes, and one of them resulted in killing his adversary, Mr. Lucas, in a duel--a circumstance which he always regretted. His journal took strong ground in favor of the admission of Missouri in the Union, not withstanding the slavery clause in her constitution. He was chosen by the legislature in 1820 to the Senate of the United States, and proceeded immediately to Washington to demand his seat. The Memorable struggle that hen ensued is familiar to all. Col. Benton employed the interim in the acquisition of the Spanish Language. At length, on the 10th of August, 1821,the famous Missouri compromised having been adopted, he was permitted to commence that eventful career of thirty years which was terminated in 1851. He immediately took a prominent part in all important deliberations, and rose rapidly to eminence.
The occupation and settlement of Oregon early engaged his attention, and he employed his energies to impress his convictions upon the Senate. It it unnecessary to add that the agitation of that question was crowned with success, and the territory was occupied under the authority of the government.
The last Congress during the Monroe administration, was engaged in the consideration of the tariff and the famous "American system.' Mr. Benton's position was unequivocal. He was the uniform adversary of the principle of protection, from his first entry into the Senate till its finall overthrow in 1846.
In the memorable presidential contest of 1824, he was the strenuous supporter of Henry Clay, but became estranged form him when the Kentucky statesman gave his vote to John Quincy Adams.
In 1829 General Jackson succeeded to the presidential chair, and Mr. Benton became the champion of the administration in the Senate. Every prominent measure of the new regimefound in him and unflinching supporter. Opposed to him were the chiefs of the opposition--Clay, Webster, Ewing, Clayton, Poindexter, and Bell--each in himself a host; and for several years they controlled the Senate. But he never quailed. He had committed himself to the work, and now his genius inspired and supported him in this the greatest emergency of American politics.
The bad system of the general government engaged his attention and he labored with eventual success, in securing an equitable pre-emption law, and the reduction of prices to their present standard. He was also an early advocate of a transit route form Missouri to the Pacific. From his first entrance into the Senate he strove to engage Congress in the enterprise, and in his latter career he was the strongest, most earnest and energetic advocate of the projected Pacific railroad.
He was inveterate in his hostility to the Bank of the United States. It was his favorite boast: "Solitary and alone I set that ball in motion." The battle was long and fierce; the round was disputed inch by inch; but the people sustained the administration and gave the control of the Senate to its friends. The removal of the deposits, and the treasury circular, both were ably and, in the event, triumphantly sustained by the iron willed Missourian. His earnest advocacy of a pure metallic currency is will known, and his persistence in securing the passage of the "expunging resolutions" evinced his courage, ability and stubborn devotion to the fame of his chief.
The course pursued by General Jackson towards the nullifiers of South Carolina required firm support in the national legislature, and again Colonel Benton was found by the side of the President. From that time he was regarded as the great rival of Mr. Calhoun in influencing the councils of the democratic party. He occupied the middle ground, which, in his judgment, was infinitely more safe, just, and calculated to secure the permanency of our institutions, that the extreme policy of the southern extremists.
Upon the accession of Mr. ban Buren, Mr. Benton continued his adherence to the administration. The financial revulsion of 1837 produced not a single diversion from his cherished principles, but seemed more fully to confirm him in their correctness. He supported the independent treasury bill as the measure best adapted to avoid future embarrassments, and as most sure to effectuate a permanent divorce of the government form the banks. The elections were decided against the administration and in 1840 the electoral vote of all but six states was cast for the whig candidate.
In the Harrison and Tyler administrations, the course of Mr. Benton was in perfect keeping with his previous career. He never stooped to win favor of the executive in whom he recognized the facile instrument of that Calhoun policy which he had himself so long and vigorously opposed. He was willing to employ the advantages secured by the vacillating policy of Mr. Tyler, but not to condescend to the employment of any art to obtain them.
A state convention, in 1843, proposed his name as a candidate for presidency, but this honor he promptly declined. Mr. Van Buren had suffered defeat for his steadfast prosecution of the Jackson policy, and Mr. Benton considered it eminently just and proper that his claims should be submitted to the sober second thought of the people. For him self, the senator ship was the pinnacle of his ambition; he regarded the presidency as a responsible office, honorable indeed, but not to be desired.
The election of Mr. Polk resulted in the complete overthrow of the protective policy, and the triumph of the independent treasury. On the Oregon question he opposed the administration, which had declared for the line of 54 deg. 40 sec., and in this event, his views where adopted. His course in relation to the annexation of Texas is well known. During the Mexican war his services and intimate acquaintance with the Spanish provinces of the south, to whose history he had devoted much attention, proved most useful to the government. Upon his suggestion the policy of "masterly inactivity," at first determined upon by the President, was abandoned, and a vigorous prosecution of the war urged in its stead. His counsels were much sought also, in regard to maturing a plan of campaign and conquest for compelling a peace, and at one time it was proposed by President Polk to confer upon him the title of lieutenant-general, with full command of the war, in order that he might carry out his conceptions in person. The project, however, was never consummated. The bill creating the rank of lieutenant general passed the House but was defeated in the Senate.
But the countenance given by Mr. Polk's administration to the Calhoun policy, and its introduction into the Senate, began anew the warfare which was this time to result in Mr. Benton's political overthrow. The Wilmot proviso had excited alarm and the South Carolinian introduced a series of "???"reaclutions"???" bearing directly upon the territorial question with a particular reference to the subject of slavery. Colonel Benton promptly denounce them as tending to disunion and civil strife.
In 1848, he supported General Cass for President, though he was the personal friend of Martin Van Buren. The division of the democratic party in New York occasioned its defeat and General Taylor was elected. Till this time the people of Missouri had clung to Col. Benton as their apostle and leader. He had served them without interruption for more than a quarter of a century. He was thoroughly identified with the history of his country. He had successfully carried himself in the face of all opposition. But his adversaries, themselves professed democrats, were impatient for the opportunity to supplant him. A herculean effort was required to defeat him, and it was made. The legislature of Missouri had been indicted to pass resolutions instructing him to support the Calhoun resolutions, which he freely denounced, as tending to produce a separation of the states. He resolved to appeal form the legislature to the people, and set about a canvas of the state, prosecuting it in every section in a series of speeches, which, for bitterness of denunciation strength of exposition and caustic wit, have scarcely their equal in the English language. The whig party of the state at first sustained his position, but finding a prospect of reaping a triumph of their own from the divisions of the democracy, they change front, and affiliated with his democratic opponents. The result, in 1849-50, was the return of a legislature largely democratic, but composed of opposite wing, the Benton men being in the pluraliy. Many ballotings for senator were had without compromise; but a bargain was at length struck between whigs and anties, and sixteen of those chosen by the people as democrats, but unfriendly to Col. Benton, voted for Henry S. Geyer, who was elected. Mr. Geyer was a whig, but had committed himself to the anti-Benton party.
Among the last acts of his senatorial carrer must be cited his opposition to the compromise of 1850. He declared it a vicious system of legislation, fraudulent as regarded the donation of lands and money to Texas, defective and ill-judged in regard to the fugitive slave law. On the 3d of March, 1851, he vacated his seat in the Senate.
Undimayed, and determined to vindicate his position, he became a candidate in 1852, for member of the House of Representatives from the St. Louis district. He was triumphant. He at first gave his support to President Pierce, but the administration soon falling under the control of the adherents of Mr. Calhoun, Col. Benton withdrew his support, and the asministration, in turn making war upon him, displaced from office all his friends throughout Missouri. Soon the repeal of the Missouri compromise was mooted, and became a party measure in the shape of the Kanzas-Nebraska bill. Against this Col. Benton exerted himself with all his strenght, delivering a memorable speech in the House that did much to defeat its passage. The next election coming on in 1854, Col. Benton was defeated in his own district by a combination of his old opponents with the American party. Retiring from active politics, he then determined to devote his leisure to writings and study morr congenial to his age; but was prevailed upon by his friends to suffer his name to be used as a candidate for governor of Missouri in the election of 1856. Ince more laying aside the pen, and starting forth to canvass the state, he was received everywhere with enthusiastic applause.
In the Presidential contest of 1856 he supported Mr. Buchanan in preference to his oun son-in-law, Colonel John C. Fremont, assigning as a reason, that the triumph of the former would result in a restoration of the principles of the Jackson administration, and his apprehension that the success of Fremont would engender sectional parties, fatal to the safty of the union. We presume that these opinions have since been changed.
After his defeat in 1856, Colonel Benton devoted his time again to literary pursuits. Even before that time he had begun his "Thirty Years' View" of the working of the government. This was completed and published in New Yorl in 1854. It is a retrospect of the period suring which ge held a seat in the Senate of the United States and presents a connected narrative of the time from Adams to Pierce developing much of the secret history of the men and politics of that epoch. No sooner was that off his hands than he engaged in the still more laborious task of condnsing and abriding the debates of Congrese, fron the foundation of the government to the present time. In this work, although at the advanced age of 76, hisdaily labors were almost incredibe, and such as few "???" the prime of life coukd support. This was accomplished in great part bymeans of a robust constitution, temperate habits, regular exercise and daily resort to the cold bath. His health wasstillas perfect, his mind as unimpared, and his intrest in passing events as absorbing as ever. He also wrote in an intergal of leisure, a review of the decisions of the Supreme court in the Dred Scott case, which has attracted great attention.
The marriage of Colonel Benton took place shortly after his entrance into the Senate. His wife was Elizabeth Mc Lowell, daughter of Colonel James Mc Dowell of Rockbridge county, Virginia. His only son accompanied Colonel Fremont on his second expedition, butwas obliged to relinquish it, and died shortly afer. Four daughters only survive:--Mrs. William Carey Jones, Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont, Mrs. Sarah Benton Jacob, and Madame Susan Benton Biolcan now at calcutta, and wife of the French Consul-General. Mrs. Benton died in 1854, having been struck with paralysis in 1844, and from the time of that calamity her husband was never known to go to any place of festivity or amusement.
For many months past it had been evident that the lif of Col. Benton was approching its close. Last fall his daughter, Mrs. Fremont, was called home from Paris, to be present at his dissolution.--But he lingered on, till it began to be hoped that a longer time was still allotted to him. For a few weeks past, however, it has been evident that he could not long survivel. The disease which had been gnawing at his vitals could be baffled no longer. Nothing daunted he continued at his labor wirting his Abridgment, and amending and correcting the proof with all the nicety and precision of earlier years. He was permitted to finish the last sheet and then laid him down to die.
EXTRACT FROM A LETTER
The following extract from a letter form Col. BENTON's pen, relates to the great literary effort of his latter years:
"The 6th volume is issued, and brings down the abridgement to the end of Mr. Monroe's first administration, (1821.) The 7th volume is printed, and inthe binder's hands, (soon for delivery,) andwill come int Mr. Jon Quincy Adams' administration. The 8th volume is in the press, and will come deep into General Jackson's administration; so that, as you see, so far as the public and the puvlishers are concerned, the great work is half finished, But as in concerns myself, I am far ahead of the press, ane, in fact, almost through. I gave out publicly that I will be down in two months, but that was to allow a margin for accidents or mistakes. I expect to be don in less than one moth, being now employed on the great compromise session of 1849-50,being the last of Mr. Clay's great effors on the occasion. He and I appear as antagonists with respect to these measures; butthe antagonism was as to the form and not as to the ovjects of the measured. He wished the whole of the measures to be contained in on general compromise bill; I wanted the same measured, (or the mist of them, and their ovjects.) The omnibus bill miscarried, but the measures passed separately, and were just as strong on the statute book, in separate acts, as they would have been in a general one.--The antagonism then was to form and establishment of the same measures, and in the accomplishment of the same object, NAMELY, the pacification of the country. --The abridged debated will show all this, and that there was real crisis at the time, "a crisis big with the fate of Rome," its pacification worthy of the last efforts of Clay, and in accomplishing which, hes ardent patriotism his devotion to the Union, his disregard of self, his courageous self-reliance, all appeared in their mid-day force and splendor. It was not the blaze of the setting sun but the noonday blaze of that great luminary. In thise flashes of courage and patriotis, always struck out when the Union was struck at, he seemed to me to ve the impersonation of UNION, and ready to be laid as a victim on its altar.
This beingthe state and condition of the workm so far advanced as to enable the puvlic to judge its character--(which judgment has, in fact, been most favorable,)--and also to sce the near completion of the work, I feel justified in wspressing the belief that I have rendered a great public service to the Union. I have rendered accessible, (and I hope attractive)to the whole rending community the historyof the formathon of this Union, and of the spirit out of which it grew, and of the sporit in which it was administered, carrying the noble vessle safely through every danger for near veventy tears. I have made all the knowlede accessible to every reading manm and knowledge is Power!--especially political power! and as necessary to adorn a puplic man's life as to enavel him to legislate beneficially for the country and aviod the mistakes and erroes which often mortify himself. That is one object of the abridgment, and a high on, but not the highest. The highest lies among the objects which would "reconcile a distracted Union by showing the examples of moderation of justice, of condition, of defense, which jointed us together and kept us together. The abridged debates will abound with such examples and from men of such noble character as will commend veneration and invitation." Laws Of Kanzas Territory
PASSED BY THIS LEGISLATURE OF 1858.
RUNNING AT THE LARGE OF SWINE.
Be it enacted by the Governor and the Legislative
Assembly of the Territory of Kansas:
SECTION 1. That all persons residing in the Territory of Kansas, and owning swine in the said Territory, fron and after the first day of April, A. D. 1858, shall keep said swine from running at large on the commons in said Territory.
SEC. 2. That if any swine shall be suffered to run at large upon the commons in said Territory, and shall trespass upon the land of any person or persons, the owner of such swine shall be liable for all damages the owner of such land made sustain by reason of such trespass.
SEC. 3. That such damages shall be recovered in a civil action before any justice of [the] peace of the proper township.
SEC. 4. That if any swine shall be found running at large upon the commons of said Territory after the first day of April, A. D. 1858, it shall be lawful for any person to tade up such swine as estrays.
SEC. 5. That it shall be the duty of such person or persons taking up any swine under the provisions of this act, within three days after such taking up, to post up at least three written or printed notices of the said taking up, with a description of such swine so taken up, in three of the most public places in the township in which said swine may have been taken up, and shall file a copy of said notice with one of the justices of the peace in said township, and shall certify under oath the same to be a true description of the swine taken up by him.
SEC. 6. That the person or persons taking up swine under the provisions of this act shall be allowed twenty-five cents for each swine so taking up, and a reasonable compensation for taking care of the same.
SEC. 7. That if any swine shall be taken up under the provisions of this act, and the owner of the same shall, within thirty days of the said taken up, prove the same to be his, and shall pay the charges on the same, he shall have possession of the same.
SEC. 8. That if the owner of any swine taken up under the provisions of this act, shall fail or refuse to prove the same to be his, or shall refuse to pay the charges on the same, as provided in this act, within thirty days after the said swine shall have been taken up, complete title shall vest absolutely in the person or persons taking up the same: Providing, nothing in this act shall so construed as to prevent any county in the Territory submitting said question to the people for their rejection, by the application of twelve free holders to the commissioners of the proper county, at any regular session of said commissioners; but no such vote shall be taken at any other time that at the general lection, except that the said commissioners may order an election for said purpose at any time previous to the first day of April, A. D. 1858.
SEC. 9. Be it further enacted. That nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to prevent drovers and other persons from driving swine from one place to another, the owner or owners being responsible for all damages that any person or persons may sustain in consequence of the driving of such swine.
SEC. 10. That all acts or parts of acts conflicting with this act are hereby repealed.
This act to take effect and be in force from and after the first day of April, A. D. 1858.
Approved February 8, 1858.
Scene In Church
On sunday, within the last hundred years, the service had commenced in a country church, a few miles from Penrith, when in walked a wman in gray cloak, accompanied by two half grown up urchins, with eyes and mounths both fearfully agape, and the trio took their seats, in modesty, near the door. By-and-by the clergyman gave out his text-"Jesus I know and Paul I know, but who are ye?" the gray cloak was agitated. The text was energetically repeated, and the minister's eyes seemed cast toward the party seated behind the door. Our friend in gray stood up, and with the voice of a shepardess on a Westmoreland Fell, replied to this pointed question-"Please, sur' I'se Petty Jones' o' Wetsleddale, an' this is our Rob an' our Peggy, an' we thowt we'd just com in and se what ye were maken, and git a rust."-Carlisle Patriot.
Importance Of The French Empire
Public attention in Germany is at present occupied by a pamphlet which has just appeared at Stutgardt, under the title of "Napoleon III., and seine zeit"(Napoleon III,and his times.) The fundamental idea of this work is the necessity of the Empire in France for the maintainance of order and the balance of power in Europe.
A person bored by a squinting man, who persisted in asking questions about his broken leg, replied, emphatically, "It's quite crooked--as you see."
The woman who undertook to scour the woods has abandoned the job, owing to the high price of soap. The last that was heard of her, she was skimming the seas.
The moors and uncultivated lands in France amount to twenty millions of acres, without reckoning marshes.
Transcribed by Matt Lucas.
[Page 2 qc45b]
The Gate
Unanimously talen by the "???"Delegate "???" of the second day of December, 1857.
Constitution framed at "???" that has an instrument hostile to the popular will and, appealing to GOD of Justice and Jummanity for the rectutude of ou intention we do solemnly enter int a League and "???" with each other taht "???" under any circumstance permit the said Constitution, so frames, and NOT "???" be the organic law for the state of Lanzas but do "???"
Tko the followingMembers of Congress we are under obligation for frecuent favors in the way of copies of Speeches made upon important subjects furing the present "???"
Hon. Hanibal IIamlin of Maine,
Hon. "???",
Hon. Lewis D. Campbell of Ohio,
Hon."???" of Indiana,
Hon. John Davis,
Hon. Zachariah Parrott of Kanzas.
About The Opposition
A lactious and spleeny nature not unfrequently leads men to place themselves in a very awkward and incansistent position. A chronic passion for office and a"???" so capacions as t obecome the read receptale of public "???" in any shape, from a scavinger's fee to a judge's perquisites, often has a very similar and a noless singular and startling effect. A more potent agency to produce such results and develop such traits of character is a comvination of the ofice-seeking temper and a cler incompetency to hold office. The nervousness in these instances is certain to be multiplied whenever such a peculiary constituted personage holds and office which he moay have good reasons to apprehend will not be best owed on him again. And worst perhaps than any other case, is one where the willikng soul to serve his country has obtained an office by a suspicious course, or by positive double-dealing.
That there is some opposition to the Leavenworth Constitution in the Territory, especially in Leavenworth county, it is useless to deny. That among the loudest mouthed of the opposition ma be found persons of whose cases there is in the above, "???" correct diagnosis, will hardly ge gainsayed. Ant to vindicate this opinion it may scarcely ce necessary to mention som of the symptons--especially those inconsistencies already referrel to. But nervertheless, wewill endeavor to be particular enough to be under stood after saying this, that ew ame to speak in general terms. By opponents we mean the squad which goes in for voting down the Constitution.
The only portions of the Constitution to which even avowed Congo Democrats object relate to the ElactiveFranchise that Negro suffrage is clearly recognized and that Negro childeren are compelled to attenf the same schools with the whites if they would receive the benefits of an Education at the puvlic expense. Now, it is hardly six months since this question was percipitated upon a portion of the people of Kanzas through circumstances of a local nature, and it was before them in some section when Delegates to the constitutonal Convention were being canvassed for. How the question was then presented and met, is familiar to all. The people were being addressed. The votes of the people to vote upon the above questions was asserted; their competency to decide them for themslves at the ballot-box, was proclaimed to be unquestionable; and the decision of the majority, it was declared, ought to be the law of the land. All they asked was that the "Dear people" should have the privilege of exercising their sovereignty upon these questions.
Whether the majority of the Citizens of the Territory desired to r submission of the Suffrage question or not, the Convention did provide the first election under it in order that there might be thercon, a full and fair expression of the popular will. Now, that the Convention did provide for the submission of this question for the people at an early day this croaking opposionton is making itself honrse by howling because the word "white" in not in the Constitution!--They bellow because the Convention in stead of submitting the question to the people, did not withhold from them the opportunity to determine this matter for themselves by a vote of the majority . Is not this a beautiful wxhibition on the part of those who have palavered the masses in the most studied and approved style!
In on breath they declared that the Convention did not represent the people and in the next pour out the vials of theifcensure because it did not fetter the lips and possaibly forstall the decision of the "???" . And, a large "???" opposition is "???"..... are afraid to trust the regulation of the Common Schools to properly enacted laws. Ther firs assume that the provisions of the Leavenworth Constitution prevents the establishment of seprate Schools for Negro children--and when driven from this by the "???"peopl to be sovereign in this matter. These symptoms of the opposition cenainly indicate the nervous debility above alluded to--if nto a gerneral derangement, a critical state of biliousness, likewise.
Kanzas And Nebraska Conference Of The M. E. Church
The Third Annual session of the Lanzas and Nebraska Conference of the Metliodist Episcopal Churc, was held at Topika, Kanzasbeginning Thursday, Aprirl15th inst., and closing Monda, April 19th. The offcers were:
Bishop E.S. James, President
Rev. I.F. Colins, Secreitarry.
We are enabled to present the following interesting items in regard to the condition and prosperity of the work which this conference repersented:
MINISTERS
There will be employed in the Itineracy during this year, 61 Ministers, being and increase of 17 overlast year.
There are 59 Local Preacher in the two Territories.
SABHATH SCHOOLS
Trom the entire work there were re ported, 66 Sabbathe scools, in which there were 474 officers and teachers, 1588 scholars, and libraris containing in all, 6777 volumes
No Sabbathe Schools reported last year.
APPOINTMENTS THIS YEAR--KANZAS
NEOSMO DISTRIOT--NATHAN TAYLER, Presiding Elder
Paris Gircuit--J.W. Steward.
Matomaton and Yorl Indians--(to be supplied.)
Leroy--M.M. Haun.
Ossowaiiomie--Ira Blackford.
Ottumwa--B.c. Dennis.
Central City--Henry Moys.
Eagle City--(to be supplied.)
Pleasant Grove--(to be supplied.)
Kanzas Centre--S.W. Lloyd.
TOPEDA DISTRICT--A. STILL, P.E.
Topeka and Teecmseh--(to be supplied.)
Fremont--Wm. G. Piper.
Burlingame--G.w. Paddock.
Wabaurse--W.A. Kenney.
Fort Riley--W. Marlatt.
Manhattan--J. Denison.
Blue City--N.Trafton.
Vermillion--A. Clarl.
Hoton--E. H. Robertson, and James Lawrence.
LAWRENCE DIST.--L.B. Dennis, P.E.
Lawrence--(to be supplied.)
Balwin City--Wm. Butt.
Spring Fill-- R. P. Duval.
Wyandatte and Quindaro--H.H. More.
Delawar Indian Mission--(one to be supplied.)Charles Ketchum.
Franklin and Shawnee--T.J. Ferril.
Big Springs-- L. H. Nichols.
Clinton-- (to be supplied.)
Centopolis-- T. H. Parather.
LEAVENWORTH DIST--JAS. SUAW, P.E.
Levenworth--( to be supplied.)
Sumner--C. H. Lovejoy.
Columbus-- T. McK. Munhall.
Grasshopper Falls--A. L. Downey.
Indianola--J.S. Griffing.
Atchison and Doniphan--I.F. Collins.
Oscaloosa--B.F. Beaumnan.
White Cloud--Curtis Graham.
NEBRASKA.
NEBRASKA CITY DIST.--J.M. CHIVINGTON, P.E.
Plattsmouth--D. Hart.
Mt. Pleasant--M. Prichard.
Nebraska City--D.H. May.
Oloe City--(to be supplied.
Brownville--P. Gorton.
Falls City--J. W. Taylor.
Tecumseh--J.R. Minard.
Beatrice--(to be supplied.)
Salt Creek--Z.B. Turman.
OMAHA DIST--W.H. GOOD, P.E.
Bellvue--(to be supplied.)
Omaha City--Wm. M. Smith.
Florence-- Hiram Burch.
Platte Valley--J. Adriance.
Fontenelle-- (to be supplied.)
Omadi--A. J. Dorsey.
Niovrarah--(to be supplied.)
We Have Received The St. Joseph (Mo.) Gazette.
We hav recived the St. Joseph (Mo.)Gazett of the 12th inst., in which it was announced that Mrs. C. I. H. NICHOLS of Quindaro would Lecture there the next evening, on the subject of Woman's Rights. The notice is very complimentary. Mrs. N. did lectue there at the appointed time. and was listened to by a large audience composed of the best citizens of that city.
The MIN-NE-HA-HA Is A Union Line Steamer
THE MIN-NE-HA-HA is a Union Line Steamer. By Going t oLeavenworth last Wednesday on her, we had an opportunity to become acuainted with her officers and also to test her accommodations. Capt. BAKER is Master; S.W. HUTCHINSON cleerl. These gentlemen gave especial attention to the confort of thosewho travel with them. The rates of fare are reasonable for the bocket; the off bill man--all of wich makes traveling cheap and agreeble on the Min-ne-ha-ha.
The Sovereign,
THE SOVEREIGN, from the little experiance that we have had on her cabin, is fitted with a special viw to the case and comfort of the traveling public.
Lecompton Still Lives
On Wednesday the 14th inst. there was another struggle in the National House of Representatives over Swindle.--The Senate had previously asked for a Committee of conference. Some of the "???"on Democrats of the House with in favor of and some opposed t granting a Committee. When the Kanzas Question came up in the House at 1 o'clock on the 14th, Mr. Mentgomery moved that the House insist upon its Amendment and demanded to previous question. This demand was lost by a tie vote, the speaker votion "???" rules, which provides for his doing so whenever his vot will affect the result. Mr. English then moved that a committee of conference be appointed, and demanded the previous question. The vot on sustaining this demand was carred, yeas 109,jnays 108. The whole vote therefore was 217, being fifteen less than the original vopte. Sixteen members were paired, as follows:
LECOMPTON. --Corning, Dimminck, Gillis, Huyler, Rielly, Sickles, Taylor, Arnold.
aNTO-LECOMPTON-- Olin, McKibbin, Roberts, Adrian, Thayer, C.B. Cochrane, Kunkel of Pa., Washburne of Wis.
Absent, without pair, Whitley, (Lecompton). Caruthers, (Lecompton,) whe was absent on the former occasion was present, thus making up for the loss of Whitly's vote.
Withe the members paired off as above, and with Mr. Caruthers present, the position of the House may be set down as follows:
"???" Lecomp. Anti-Lecomp.
Vote. Wednesday..........109 108
Paired, ..................8 8
--- ---
Total....................117 116
Former vote..............112 120
Total Wednesday......................233
Total on previous occasion...........232
This shows and increase of one, which was coused by Speaker Orr voting.
The Committee consists of English of Indiana, Howard of Michigan and Stephens of Georgia.
This unlooded for action which resulted in the rising of this Committee is wholly attributable to the votes of these for northern Democrats: English, of Indiana; Hall and Pendleton, o Ohio; and Owen Jones, of Pennsylvania.
We doubt not these menbers will seek to shield themselves py a plea of courtesy due the Senate. But this will not Change the Character of their vot for the principles at issue over which ther is now a dead lock between the tow branches of Congress ar diametricaly opposit, and the matter is that position before the House that it connot recede the shadow of a "???" without not oly a compromise of principle but also a violation of Right and Justice. This being so we confess that this action , on the part of these foru last named members, fills us with forebodine of another attempted swindle and betrayal. Men of nerve and honor do not flinch in front of battle, and no mor momentous crisis ever came before the House than the present. This exhibition of the white feather at this moment is appalling. By it the confidence heretofore felt in the defeat of the Lecompton swindle changed in to doubt, and the opponevts of corruption will await the result of the renewed contest in the Hous with pairful solicitude.
LATER.--A dispatch from Washington Monday last, says:
The joint committee of conference of the Kanzas bill, met this mornig--all the members being present for the first time.
Mr. Green, on behalf of the majority of the Senate committe, submitted several propositions amending the Senate Bill none of which proved the acceptable to the House committee. Propositions were then solicited from the House committee.
Mr. English responded that at the next meeting of the committee, he would submit a bew bill, the precise character of which has not transpired, but is understood to a proposition for a substitute the question of admission under the Lecompton consitution , with the amended the people of Kanzas at an early day; teh majority vote for it, Kanzas eill come into the Union under the President proclamation; if against it, then the bell provides for the formation of a new constitution whenever the popuation there wquals the number required for a member in the United States House of Representatives."
The committe adjourned over until the next day, Tuesday.
G. F. Warren, Esq.--
G.F. WARREN, Esq.--Amid the exacting duties of a newspaperial calling we somtimes forget to record matters which, when they are before us, seemto be a public interest. Not least frequent among thwse dereliction, is a careless neglect to bear testimony to the merit and worth of persons who have done good service for the public. It is in this manner that we have forgotten heretoforeto speak of the services of the staunch fred state man whose name stands at the head of theis paragraph and who was the Eengeat-at-arms of the recent Constitutions Convention.
Mr. W. filled this office with great efficiency and in a mannereminently satisfactory to all of the memers, He provided the Convention with all the necesary Stationery, &c,m a favor which undo the circumstances, entitles him to a grater remembrance, at least by the Delegates. It vay frequently happens that the public treasury is opened for the benefit of individuals, but it rarely occours that a man opens his purse for the benefit of the publec. Mr. Warren did thes and did freelyto place every convenience in ehe havds of the members as they will cheerfully testify. He was a member of the Topeka Legislature and Sergeant-at-armsfor the House of Represenatives of the Territorial Legislature. His deportmens at the Constitutional Convention Show that he is worthy the honors he has received form the Free-state party.
"The Honest Masses"
"???" Settlers of Kanzas seems to banish from the minds of these lovers of the people, those indeas with which they had been in spired by the tally-sheets of various wards in various cities and such counties as Berls of Pennsylvania and Posy of Indiana.
The very atmosphere of Kanzas has a strange effect upon the optics of the memvers of the Congo-Democratic party. Through the thought-quickening medium that here surrounds them, man, in a political point of view, appears a very different kind of creature to what he dowws in the regions above-named. Here he no longer acts from the convictions of his own--bub losing all will and virtue of his own becomes a mere tool in the hands of oters. Such are the conclusions to which the Congo Democracy is driven by glalncing over the field of Kanzas politics. Hear on of them speaking in regard to the course of the people here, a year ago, in persisting in the non-voting policy when a Bogus Legisature prepared a snare, called a Constitutional Convention, for the fect of freeman:
"Only one question was raised by the leaders of the ;Free-state0 party, and that was:;Shall we vote under the act of the Territorial Legislature?; It seems strange at his day that any one could have hesitated for a single moment, when duty and policy poointed so strongly in the same direction. The people did not hesitate--the masses were for voting, and no one in Kanzas during the months of January in Kanzas during the months of January and February 1857, doubts that had the people veen left uninfluenced by scheming politicians, the Lecomptdon Constitntional Convention would have been composed of men who would have submitted the result of their labors to the free approval of rejection of the people. But they were not left thus unifluenced. Politicians in the East dectated a non-voting policy.
* * * * * *
Upwards of nine thousand voters were registered--less than three thousand voted--where were the other seven thousand? The historian will anser: 'Kept from the polls by the trickery of selfish and designing politicians.'".
We quate this from the leader in the Westerln Argus, which is simply the galvanized carcass of the Wyanadott Citizen, and is the organ of the Democrary of this region--an apologist for Buchanan and a steady declaimer against the Free-state party of Kanzas Which has so exercised His Excellency. It hss faith in the intelligence and integrity of the people!
The County Convention
This Convention met in Leavenworth City at 12 o'clock M., Thursday, April 22d 1858. A temporary organization wasmade by choosing William McLay Chairman and Henry McKee Secretary.
The following committees were appointed:
Permanent Organization, J. M. Winchell, J. M. Dickson and A. Robinson. On motion the former apportionment was adopted.
Adjourned till 2 P.M.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Committee on Permanent organization reported as follows: President, William McKay; Secretary, Henry McKee.
The Committe on Credentioals reported the following as delegates:
Leavenworth Precinct:--J. H. Grant, Thomas Campvell, Henry McKee, J. Stroebel, A. Fisher, James McGonigle, A. Siebold, J. P. Mitchell, J. G. Stockton, J. M. Dickson.
Delaware--Mathew France.
Quindaro--A. Rovinson, J.M.Walden.
Wyandott--George Russell, Wm. McKay, J. M. Winchell.
Easton--Patrick Orr, James Telfer.
this resolution was then introduced:
Resolved, That the Delegatates elected this day to the state Convention be and are gereby instructed to support a proposition for the submission by said Convention to a full and fair vot of the People on the daythe Constitution is voted upon--the question of Negro Suffrage and Seperate schools for Childern, the result to serve as instructions to the firs Legislature under the Leavenworth Constitution.
J.M. WINCHELL introduced the following resolution:
Resolved,That this Convention do now proceed to elect Thirteen Delegates to the State Convention Bu ballott; and that after said election it adjourn till Wednesday, May 5th , and re-assemble at that time to nominate a County Ticket.
Adopted.
The Convention proceeded to nominate Delegates with this result:
Wyandott--Wm. McKay, T. B. Eldridge.
Quindaro--Geo. E. Budington.
Delaware--D. A. Clayton.
Edaton--Jjames Telfer.
"???" Stranger--Thomas Trower.
Alexandria--B. Hyatt.
Leavenworth--A. Fisher, H. McKee, Thos. Ewing, J. Stroebel, J.B. Crane, J. P. Mitchll.
On motion the Delegates were empowered to appoint substitutes; the Absentce to name his own substitute.
Convention adjouned to meet at the same place, Wednesday, May 5th, at 12M.
No Passports To Men Of Color
Senator Wilson recentlly applied at the Dtate Department for a passport for Dr. J.S. Rock, a colored resident of Boston, and recived the following reply from the Secretary:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, April 2,1858.
To the Hon. HENRY WILSON, Senate Chamer:SIR--I have had the honor to recieve your note of yesterday, with its accompnments.
In reply I have to inform you that it is not the practice of the Departmentto issue andy other paper than passports to persons going aboard from this country. A passport; being a certifidate of citizenship, has never since the foundations of the Government been granted to persons of color. No charge in this respec has taken place in consequence of the decision of the Dred Scott case. Returning you the inclosure in your letter, I have the honor to be, Sir, "???"
LEWIS CASS.
Who are"citizens of the United States?" Will som croaker answer.
(Communicated.)
Mr. WALDEN:--For a time past I have been "looker-on in Benice, " and have witnessed some thing which I did not expect to see in a town of the reputation which Quindaro has abroad. During the session of the Constitutional Convention, when the Article on Elective Franchyise was fbefore that body, ad especdilly after the decision of the Convention was made known, I herad a very few persons here making a great deal of noise about "negro equality" and all that sort of thing. I noticed that every opportunity to say anything prejudicial to the labors f the Convention was seized by this small but restless junto. I wondered if thery ere Free-state men indeed, and upon inquiry not to my surprise I fount that they not only syumpathize with the National Democracy, but even when the Delegates were being chosen to the Constitutional Convention, did place a Bogus ticket in the field in opposition to the regular ticket of the Free-state party and voted for it. I understand this was done for a bait to the Democratic party of the county--the prome-movers being desirous to do something to ingratiate thehmselves into its faver--and it is quit likely they thought this demonstation would place them right on record.
I have been especially interested "???" the performances of this clique within ethe past few days. They, though very few in number, have lept up a great noise about"Sambo"--working as industriously as so many beavers to make the pople believe that the Leaven worth Constitution is and immense placard invitingah begging, the negro to emigrated to Kanzas. In listening to these attempts have heard their false assertions frequently refuted and the real character of the instrument presented, but, with minds montreacherous anddesigning than honest and obtuse, they could not be convinced and still with a contumacy of more thamulish intensity, they are harping upon and misrepreselntion the new Constitution. They make every effort to manifest the diskike to it and now as they did before the Convention met, openly declare that they hope the Lecompton Constitution will be thrust upon the peopl. I am glat to find no indications that the blusterings have produced andy effect upon the minds of the citizens--and I am convinced that all they could say will ve gyhimself, will but watch their juggling single fortnight.
But this croaking is not hte most singular performance IL have noticed of their par. I am informed about the Primary meeting on last Monday evening which was called to choose Delegates to a Convention to nominate offcers undo this Constituion, ans, lo! they who has beendecrying the insttrument in the betterest terms were active in the meeting, apparently "set" on carrying out a "cut-and dried" programme. To me this seemms a daring piece of effronteryu. And, I must say, I know not which was the most strange, to see them thus thrustion them selves forward, or to see the friends of the Constitution permitting them tho figue matters appeared to some, and if it so, I am glad their game was detected in time to thwart it. I think it is high time the Rerr-state men of Quendaro tale their political matters in thier ouwn hands and exclude from their councils those who openly affiliate with the Democracy a well as those who either have or do now "carry water on both shoulers." I thery would maintain that reputation they have gained for Qeal integrity they had better look closely to these things--seperate the wheat from the chaff--rebule alike him who is an oopen and him who is a secret enemy--and ever be on the alert, fully guarded against the emissaries of the Black Democracy. OBSERVER.
Democracy In Illinois
Last Wednesday was the day for the session of the Dimocratic state Convention in Illinois, to which Eelegates were chosen from every part of the State, the whole number being 530. Speaking prosperctively of this body one of the Chicago papers says:
of all the delegateds elected to the Illinois Democratic State Convention, not one has yet been geard from who sustains the Administration. It os certain that LOUGLASS will have everything his own way at springfield. Some curiosity is LAS Democrats will wxpress themselvws in regard to an Administraton that has done all in its power to crash the Little Giant and his friends n that State. Any half=way phrased of denunciation will fall short of the demands of the occasion.--BUCHANAN must be endorsed or repudiatted. Tere seems to be no midlle ground left.
The action of this gatering will have all the most significance, inamuch as it will undoubtedly be conformed to the wishes of Senator DOUGLAS, and according to the programme previously marked out by him. It will, in a word, show rather conclusively whether the arch rebelis bent on making his peace with the party or on joining hands with a combined and concentrated opposition, on the practical issues that have veen made prominent during this session of Congress.
We Hs A Couple Of Exciting Runaways
We had a couple of excitiong runaways on Saturday last. Damage--a slight scattering of wagon boxes, axeitrees, and frightened women.--Western Argus.
Who scattered the frightened women?Wonder if the chvalrous Argus man helped dto gater them together again?
The Convention!
Our readers have this week and opportunity of reading the new Constitution. They will find it a document worty of freemen--well calculated to inspire confidence in the justness of our "???", andto command the respect of all who have watched This Kanzas struggle with that to Liberty "???". It is just such an instrumnent "???" people struggling for the maintenance of the rights might be ws0pected to frame. That it will meet with "???" the people, we cannot doubt.
We understand--that a few designing men, who have not yet learned, even from the severity of Kanzas kiseopline, to "???" willing to concede to others the rights which they so loudly sclaim for themselves, are trying to create a little dissatisfaction because the question of universal suffrage is to be submitted to the peopl. It is asserted that colored men underthis Constitutuion, have the rigt to vote, &c., &c. The depends entirely upon wheter they are citizens of the United States or not. The Constityution simply provides that all male citizens of the United ?Stated form voting? What warrant would there be for doing> Even the Lecompton Constitution did not go so far as that; and would any Free State man have our Constitution less liberal and more restrictive than Lecompton?--Besides, the Convention by a very large majority, thought--and very properly thought--that this whole wquestion was a matter for the pople themselves to decide; and so they provided in the last section of the schedule, that teh first General Assembley should provide by law for its submission to the people at the very first election which will be held under the provisions of the Constitution. The Territorial law calling the Convention, prescribes the qualificatons of voters at the election on the Constitution, and provides that all male citizens of the United States, who have resided in Kanzas the scpecified time, shall be ontitled to vote. This law is the act of the people of Kanzas through their representatives, and the Convention couild not change these provisions so far as the election on the Coustitution is concerned, and did not feel authorized o for elections therafter. They accordingly left it to the people themselves, to say whether they will chang the law on that subject, and whether thy will adopt new and odious restriction upon the right of suffrage. The Convention simply placed the whole matter in the hands of the people, to be decided by them at the earliest parcticabel moment, and thus removed what might otherwise have been an exciting and sistraction subject, entirely out of the present canvass. We doubt not every true Free-State man wil thank themfor doing.
Let us have no side issues--no questions which must necessarly produce divisinons and discoud, but simply the on great issue--the one great question--FREEDOM or SLAVERY for the people of Kanzas!--Lawrance Republican.
State Convention
In accordance with authority vested in in them, the Union state cental Committee hereby authorize a State Delegate Covention , to nominate a ticket under the Leavenworth Constitution, to be holden at Topeka, on Wednesday, April 28, 1858, at 10 o'clock, A.M.
The officers to be nominated at said Convention are as follows:
Two United Stated Senators, to be voted for , as indicative of the choice of the people for that position.
Bovernor, Licut, Bovernor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, Auditer, Attorney General , on Repesentative to Congress, three Surpreme Judges--one for six years, one for four years, and one for two years, State Superintendent of public Instruction, State Superintendent of School Fund, Reporter of the Supreme Cout, Clerk of Supreme Court.
Allso, to be nominated as the people of the several Districts and Counties may determin; five Circuit Judges--one in each Judicial District, as provided in said Constitution, on Couty Judge, one County Attorney, one County Clerk, and twenty-five Denators and seventy -five Representatives, as apportioned in the Schedule of said Constitution.
The Convention shall be composed of one hundred members, and the State shall be divided into Districts, and Delegats apportioned to them as follows: Leaven worth County 13, Douglass and Johnson County13, Doniphan 8, Atchison 5, Brown 3, Nemaba 2, Calhoun 2, Jefferson 4, Lykins 4, Bourbon and Allen 5, Franklin 2, Anderson 3, Shawnee 6, Coffery 3, Woodson 1, Richardson 2, Breckenridge 3, Madison 1, Davis 1, Wilson and Godfrey 1, Greenwood 1, Wise 1, Dorn 1, Mcgee 1, Weller 1, Butler and Hunter 1, Clay and Washington 1, Dickinson 1.
The same Commissioners selectted by the Governorto serve in the election of Deligated to the constitutuional Convention, are authorized to act in the election of Officers under the Levenworth Constitution, to ve holden on the 3d Tuesday--being the 18th day--of May.
In this Election, Kanzas expects every man to do his duty!Peace, prosperity, and happiness may be secured to our people by giving a full expression in this election.
G. W. SMITH, President,
Wm. HUTCHINSON, Vice Pres't.
Attest: D. H. WIER, Secretary.
Lawrence, April 5, 1858.
Proclamation
To all whome it may concerne:
IT HAVING been made to appear to me that the Atchison Branch of the Kanzas Balley Bank has complied with the requirements of an Act entitled "an Act to incorporate the Kanzas Valley Bank," approved Fevruary 19th, 1857, and which Branch Bank was by the Act of February 12 1858, excepted from the provisions of an Act approved February 3d 1858, repealing the said first mentioned Act: therefore I, James W. Denver, Secretary and Acting Governor of the Territory of Kanzas, do hereby proclaim in recordance with to provisions of the tenth section of said first mentioned Act, that I am satisfied that said Branch Bank has complied with the provisions of said Act, and is therefore authorized to go into operation.
IN testimony wheterof I have hereunto suscribed my name and affixed the great seal of the Territory of Kanzas this fifteeth day of Fevruary, A. D. 1858.
J.I. DENVER.
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SAMUEL C. POMEROY.President.
JAMES E. WALKER. Cashier.
Why There Are More Pious Women
WHY THERE ARE MORE PIOUS WOMEN THAN MEN
--The reson there are more pious women than men is not because women are weaker or their passious less power "???" because a feeling of dependendce is"???" the female heart. it is because "???" of independence has little or no "???".it is because the femaile mind "???" undergo comparatively a small revolution to become religious. On powerful barrier that stands fbefore the path of every man in his approach to the valley of humiliation doesnot oppose the passage of the true "???" is very rare that those who are demominated "strong minded women" become religious. The pride of personal independance prevents this.
So sweet and so natural "???" among women that men have come to regard a woman without it as strange, if not unhealth, and godless men ofted scelect pions wives, because they see that piety softens and sdeepens and slevates every natural grace of person, and every accomplishment of mind.--Cincinnuti(Ohio) Gazettee.