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DEMOCRATIC BANNER.
E. C & 8. r. MURRAY Editors.
LOUISIANA, MISSOURI.
MONDAY MORNING, JULY 30, 1849.
Col. Benton in North-East Missouri.
While the war is still raging with unaba
ted fury in the Missouri river country, be-
tween Col. Benton, backed by the Wilmot
Proviso Whigs and Democrats, on the one
side, and the indomitable Democracy, who
fight for "measures, not men," upon the
other, we are proud to announce to the true
hearted Democracy of the State, and of the
Union, that the counties composing North
East Missouri, stand shoulder to shoulder in
opposition to the course of Col. Benton, and
in support of the constitutional rights of the
South, and of the Resolutions of the Legis
lature. Beginning with "Old Pike" who
led off, we see Marion, Lewis, Lincoln,
Warren and St. Charles, embracing all that
are democratic, and all that have held coun
ty meetings to giveexpressions to public
sentiment, linked as a band of sisters by
resolutions condemning the Honorable Sen
ator, and sustaining the Legislature and the
right of instruction. We have with us not
only all of the comities that have spoken,
but the three democratic presses, and every
prominent democrat in the North-East that
has defined his pr sit ion vpon the question.
HON. JOHN JAMESON.
We have been peimitted to make the sub
joined extract from a letter from this bold
and fearless democrat, to a gentleman in
this county, in reply to an invitation given
him to address the people of Pike on the
.questions now agitating our party. His sa
gacious mind not to be misled by Benton's
humbugs, perceives at once the real motives
that influence the insolent dictator, and
without the fear of the "Great I Did," be
fore his eyes, he does not hesitate to speak
out like a free man and a Democrat. John
Jameson is not the man to trim his sails to
catch every breeze that passes, or to stand
with one foot on each side of the "deep
ditch," ready to leap to either side, as cir
cumstances may require. If there be any
auch ia the Democratic party in Missouri,'
let them be marked, and remembered. Let
no such man be trusted. 3n open foe to a
trimmer, all the time, say toe. But to the
letter;
Fulton, July, 13th, 1849.
My views at length shall be
made public, either in the form of a speech
or a letter, and I had as soon make the first
speech in Pike as any where else, if it be
in my power to leave home at all. My wife
has been in bad health for a lone time, and
is sow worse than she has ever been, so
much so that it is unsafe for me to leave
her." But for that fact I should have been
on the stump before now : for we are in dan
gar, and every faithful sentinel of the Demo
cratic party should be up and doing. Col.
Benton has deserted Democratic principles,
the party and the interests of the State ; and
the State being no longer able to fill his as
pirations, he has gone over where there is
strength enough, if they unite upon him, to
effect that obiect, and in desertion of prin
ciple expects to take off a great many Demo
crats; for it seems that the very object of
the appeal was to split and divide the party
to as to throw the State in the hands of the'
Whigs knowing that the party could not.
nor would not, unite in sustaining him in that
appeal. He has violated the first article in
the Democratic faith, in refusing to obey in
structions or resign ; and his appeal to the
people is a mere subterfuge, or humbug, to
deceive and throw dust in their eyes, for he
knows the people will never act on the ap
peal, that is the whole people, therefore he
. will bold on to his seat, violate the instruc
tions and .the known will of the people on
the slavery question go with the North,
and there expect to shelter himself under
the appeal that if the whole people did not
act upon the appeal and tell him what to do
irwas not bis fault, &c.
Gov. King deserves a heavy drubbing,
out 1 can t dwell any longeron the subject
Whenever my wife gets so I can leave her,
.1 will attend a meeting in your county and
. all others I can, for I intend to do my duty
the very existence of the Democracy in
flissoun is at stake.
Yours, &c,
JOHN JAMESON.
. 23" We have received a portion of the
reply of the Hon. John C. Calhoun to the
Hon. Thomas H. Benton's Jefferson City
speech. It is like every thing eminating
from this distinguished statesman of the
South calm, forcible and logical. He com
mences by saying he is only induced to
notice the charges of Col. Benton, on ac
count of the attack made through him upon
the Institution of slavery in the South, and
not for a vindication of himself. His ex
posure of Benton's unfaithfulness, and soph
istry to conceal it, is overwhelming.
objectionable upon some measure, to the1
J '
people of Missouri, but when he locks horns
with the "Missouri Buffalo" upon facts, ar
guments, and the constitutional rights of the
States, the latter will find his neck as sud
denly disjointed as were his brains carried
away by the bursting of the "peace maker."
We will publish this rejoinder if it is not
too long.
The Voice of a Veteran Democrat In the
Xrtifli.
General Cars has written a letter to the
Washington Union, in which lie takes strong
grounds against the doctrines of Col. Ben
ton on the slavery Question, that have fall-
B
, , , .iT ' ... .a1
Union. We are glad to see the great ana.
good patriots of the North and the South,
l.u- - ..fir.Kr,wl in verv nart of the!lrnior.,es' "cenuy acqu.rru .row
for the sake ol the Union, raiding meir non-siavenoiaing interests, ana uiiiinaicij
voices to still the sngry political bosom of 'to affect the institutions of the Southern
.i j .i i States. In this supposition I may be wrong,
tlia natinn anri iinitinir iinnn lhf ntilv froiind. . . . -
" 1 , , , i
broad enough for the people of the whole I
Union non-intervention the doctrine!persons have labored for the success of this
laid down by the Atherton resolutions, and project. It cannot be the irresistible impul-
proclaimed by the Demociatic National
r - r i. .,,,
Conventions for the last twelve years.
Miller Count. A mass meeting of the
citizens of Miller county have passed reso.mowextendediurfactIieproceMofeman.
lutions in support of the Legislature, andjci ;on would be much more certain and
declaring that it is the duty of Col. Benton
to obey instructions or resign.
A mass meeting of the citizens of Jack
son county have passed resolutions in favor
of the appeal of Col. Benton, and repudiat
ing the act of the Legislature of Missouri
Letter from Nr. Henderson.
Below we give place to a letter from Mr.
Henderson, which will be read with interest
by all of his constituents. It will be seen
that he supports the Resolutions of the Leg
islature and is not ashamed of the vote he
gave for them, but would repeat it under
similar circumstances. We stated as much
from our own knowledge in the Banner of
the 9th inst., which we supposed escaped
the attention of "Pike" that appeared in
our last, and which was called forth to si
lence the carpings of those who sought to
place Mr. Henderson in a wrong position
before his constituents. We know that
"Pike" desired and expected to see him
"right side up with care." For ourselves,
we say we knew it. We knew, too, that
Col. Benton, before his unpardonable course on
the slavery question and the right of instruction,
had no stronger friend in old Pike than was Mr.
Henderson. But here is the letter :
Mr. Murray . From some intimations re
ceived of late, as well througli the medium
of your own kind letter as from other sour
ces, I have been induced to believe that,
perhaps my views upon the subject of the
controversy now in progress in this State,
are misunderstood by some of my fellow
citizens in the county.
I have not the vanity to believe that my
sentiments on this, or on any subject of such
importance, would have any influence what
ever in its final adjustment ; and to my con
sequent silence, originating from this opin
ion of mine, you may ascribe all misunder
standing or misrepresentation concerning
them.
At all times having the utmost confidence
in the integrity and good sense of the peo
ple, and believing them competent to every
emergency in political affairs, I rest con
tented to cheiish and carry out my own
views, and am seldom forward in thrusting
them upon others. But occupying the po
sition which I do, having acted as a voter
upon the resolutions from which Col. Ben
ton has appealed, and being subject at all
moments to a call for a second expression
of opinion, should the Legislature, as some
have supposed, be again convened, I have
concluded to drop you a few words, the
whole or any part of which, you may pub
lish at your pleasure and convenience. I
had flattered myself that my opinions as giv
en in the canvass before my constituents,
and my vote upon the resolutions in the Leg
islature, were sufficient evidence of my feel
ings on the subject, which now so unfortun
ately disturbs the counsels of the country
and agitates the minds of the people. But,
sir, I recognise in each one of my fellow-
citizens, at this time, the full right to inter
rogate me with regard to my views on this
subject ; for should the Legislature be again
called together, to adjudicate the questions
involved in the appeal of our senator, and
my sentiments should vary from those of
my constituents, I should be happy to re
ceive at their hands such instructions as
might suit their pleasure, and I now pledge
myself to obey them, whatever they may be,
or resign my seat to give place to an agent
who will obey their wishes. This I think
is fair, and in perfect accordance with the
spirit of our institutions, which evidently
sanction the Representative form of Gov
ernment through motives of convenience,
and regard the public servant as a mere
agent, to reflect the well ascertained views
of his constituents.
Entertaining these feelings, then, and cher
ishing them as the most sacred of the prin-1
is. belciules of true Democracy, when the sub-
ject of instruction came up before , the last
l.offUtatnrp. there was but one course tor
me to pursue, and that was in accordance
with" my own teelings ana Wliau aiso Knew
to be tiiose of my constituents.
During the canvass, before the people of
the county, I took positions which actuated
my course in the Legislature upon this as
upon all other questions, consulting the prin-Jing extract of a letter which I addressed to
ciples of right and justice, and acting withjthe editor of the Metropolitan, and which
an earnest desire to advance the happiness appeared in that paper of the 10th July:
and prosperity of the people, I took a stand
against the "Wilmot Proviso," and now
think that at last nine tenths of the citi-
zensofthe county concurred with me
From the time when first legislative ac-jo(hcrs forgook ,lim) and
even excusing his
tion was invoked to prohibit slavery in the.follies heretofore, when his conduct was
,,ave Deen nclmed to regard it as a oeepjfied ;tl ,he principeS of the democratic
. ,, matlire(i sciienie on the nart ofi"
Jieedless enthusiasts, to give strength to thejj
but to no other motive could 1 ever ascribe
, unbndinir obstinacy with which some
es ot humanity, tor no possible settlement
of the question can make one slave more
nor less in the United States ; in fact it is
but reasonable to suppose that if the slaves
rapid, and the itching of their humanity
might thus be gratified. It cannot be from
a conscious knowledge of constitutional
duty, for the power, exists rather in prece
dents of compromise and mutual concession,
for the sake of harmony, than in any ex
pressly delegated authority. It cannot be
the urgent requirements of patriotism, for
it is composed of a more conciliatory spirit,
and would serve to excite the passions and
embitter the feelings of one section of th
Union against another, regardless of the
peace and prosperity of the whole Repub
lic. It is true that the passage of this mea
sure would not directly affect the institu
tions of the South, and it is true that the
Constitution protects slavery where it now
is ; but it is also true that a few more non
slaveholding States having been admitted
into the Union, they could in the exercise
of their power, effect an alteration of the
Constitution, and entirely remove that
claue which originally cemented and gave
vitality to the Union. Whether they would
exercise it or not, I have no means of judg
ing, except from the unfortunate examples
of such a character afforded in the annals
of the past. Power has never yet failod to
be haughty, daring, and regardless of the
right, and if exercised in this instance, each
one may judge of the consequences for him
self.
With these views then, and having a sin
cere desire to put a stop to the dangerous
strife then going on, and to advance, if pos
sible, the doctrine of non-interference, orj
. . ... .1 .?;.lJ
to seme this vexeu question as u naa oncemuch 0aD ablepa ssion.Bd bHnd.
before been sett ed in a i spirit of mutual , excited ch the
nnnnAaoinn . fit ol atf Ilia hftBrt.ntivninfrs fltlfl " o
sectional jealousies which had been arous
ed by what I conceived to be the proper
conductof those who were heedlessly urg
ing upon the country a law, which has since
been declared unnecessary ; to give the aid
and moral power of Missouri's voice to
those who had been faithfully laboring to
silence agitation and calm the waves of ex
citement from the first moment of ' its ori
gin ; and more than all to strengthen and
bind more firmly together the States of the
Union, by inducing, if possible, on the part
of Congress a proper regard for their ac
knowledged rights and sovereignty; for
these reasons and none other, Sir, I cast my
vote for the Resolutions of the last Legis
lature, instructing our Senators and Repre
sentatives in Congress to vote simply in ac
cordance with the Missouri Compromise,
in the establishment of territorial govern
ments for California and New Mexico.
I do not design to weary you with a long
argument upon the spirit and principles of
these resolutions, because they are familiar
to you have been discussed again and a
gain by the people of the State, and but a
few months ago very few said aught against
them. And I should deem it particularly
unnecessary, nnder present circumstances,
to undertake a long and argumentive de
fence of my course, for the reason that no
one of my constituents, to my knowledge
at least, has ever complained of my vote
upon these resolutions, and until this is done,
I shall rest perfectly satisfied that they, at
least, are willing, in their discernment and
good judgment, to attribute to me those
purer motives and intentions, which I hope
will ever govern my course, morally and po
litically.
But from these resolutions Mr. Benton has
taken his "appeal" to the whole people oi
the State, and by an ingenious and able
speech, evidently matured with great care.
and possessing all the vigor and strength ot
which a powerful mind is capable, calls up
on them to sustain his course. His course
of conduct in days pone by in defence of
the great cardinal principles of the Demo
cratic party, has been such as to endear
himself to them in a peculiar manner, and
to gather around his name a charm and a
popularity almost unknown to the most fa
vored of men. Amongst those who were
perhaps the most devoted in admiration of
the man, and whohad looked upon bis whole
history as one of extraordinary firmness and
honesty of purpose, I freely acknowledge I
have long stood. Consequently when ( saw
a notice of the "appeal," I did not fall to
cursing and denouncing him for those iden
tical acts of former Tears, for which I had
lauded and praised him, but pronounced him
wrong in his "appeal," and expressed my
sincere regret at Ins course in the follow
My good old Friend'. I am glad to tee
you so bold and fearless in defence of the
a Minn nf the I out Leorinlatuie. I haVB lonff
injbeen a warm and uncompromising friend of
more or less reprehensible as a man identi.
-
hen individuals denounced him
4ji x
exposed myself to their sharp shafts
by supporting Ins course. Consequently 1
was forced tr. read his late speech with
shame and confunsion, because to renounce
my former position and the acknowledged
position of the democratic party, I could
not. I suppose there is no man in the state
who more sincerely regrets the late action
of Col. Benton than myself. I look upon
him as a man possessing all the elemenents
of usefulness to our State and the Union at
large a man of great intellect, and decided
abilities as a statesman: and one who, with
a continued attachment to the great prin
ciples of our party, would have easily se
cured the most elevated point of human am
bition, and left behind him a name as dear
to every democrat as that of tie Sage of
Monticello or the Statesman of the Hermi
tage
What Col. Benton can mean by traducing
the Legislature as he does, I cannot imag
ine. That he seriously believes any man
in the Legislature had any designs upon the
Union of our States, I cannot for a moment
believe. I can only say that I supported
the Resolutions, and supported them cor
dially ; and if this day called upon to cast a
vote once more upon that question, I should
do as I have done, trusting with a firm re
liance upon the good sense and intelligence
of the people, and regardless of the anatn
emas of any man.
I am the last man to desire a dissolution
of the Union, and such a thought never en
tered my brain at the time of the passage of
the resolutions. Indeed there is no ques
tion of present political agitation which, in
my mind, is of sufficient importance to in
duce in its settlement a desire for such sen
ous consequences. But I am yet to be con
vinced that a fair and honest expression of
opinion, either by the people in primary
meetings or by their representatives in Uen-
eral Assembly, upon questions affecting
their interests and having a direct bearing
on their institutions, should be treated in the
light of an attack upon the Constitution of
the country and the Union of the States.
Lol. Be nton is of course entitled to his views
upon this as upon all questions; but I sin
cerely regret that he should have yielded so
whole Legislature an unpardonable igno
rance or a settled design to commit an act
of treason against the country.
ith the warmest feelings of respect, 1
remain your friend.
Iu the above letter I stated that Mr. Ben
ton is entitled to his views upon this sub
ject as upon all others, and not only has he
a right to entertain them, but an undoubted
right to express them ; but at the same time
every freeman has a right to confide in them
or not, as he may choose.
For instance I should suppose that no
sane man can for a moment honestly enter
tain the belief that John C. Calhoun was the
originator of the Resolutions in question,
or that the same mad spirit of fanaticism
and hostility to the Union, which has at
times actuated his course, had infused itself
into the bosoms of the members of the last
Legislature. Calhoun surely had but few
political friends in that body ; Benton had
many ; but no spirit of personal enmity a-
gainst any man, or opposition to his former
political course, should be permitted to
drive us from the support of a good mea
sure, which he might happen to advocate.
IMor, on the other hand, should a feeling of
personal friendship for any mortal, a pro
found admiration of past deeds and a sin
cere respect for his knowledge and ability,
induce us to swerve from a settled princi
ple, or the advocacy of that which we be
lieve to be identified with the happiness and
welfare ot the country.
Again it is said that the agitation of the
Proviso is unnecessary. This I have al
ways thought, and have ever regretted its
introd uction into the W ational Councils. If
withdrawn, the country would once more
be at peace, and the Question might beset
tied best in accordance with the principles
of our government, by giving all matters of
J .! !. . -. I a t .
aomesuc regulation lOMnose wno are des
tined to be more immediately interested in
the formation ot these future States.
If it be true that slavery has been abol
ished by Mexican decrees and the force of
international law, and it requires an act of
congress to open the doors to slave emi
gration, I shall willingly acquiesce and ask
no such act. If on the other hand this' doc
trine should prove to be incorrect, and a
slave population may be legally held by
those embarking their fortunes in these ter
ritories, the provisoists should be eqn'aly
fenerons and refrain from any act that may
J :.l r t t&
oe siBiucu wiui lojuaucv or iraugai WHO Dja
elements of evil. .
There is but one more point in this cca,'
nectioh which I deem proper to mention t
yon in this friendly letter. Mr. Benton and
the "St Louis Union" seem to think that
rank treason bad gathered itself in the Cast,
tol of the State last wbter, and that a tj.
cret determination had been entered inta
by the members who had been honored with
the confidence of their fellow-citizens, te
trample under foot the constitution of the
country and lay violent hands upon the bb
ion of the States. The only evidence of
treason, of course, is found in the resoln.
tions themselves, and therefore to them Its
fer for my vindication.' If they be wtob
and treasonable in spirit, the Democrsuo
nartv of the nation at large, have been in
open treason for several years. But lata
certain, sir. that neither you nor my con- -l
stituents in general, who know me person
ally, will require at my hands any lengthy
or labored argument to prove myself tree
free
from harboring any unholy designs against
the Union. I have no sinister ends to ac
complish, no ambition to gratify, no lofty as
piration to dazzle me, no distant vision of
power or gaio to seduce me from tne fata,
of rectitude, or that of fidelity to my cos
stituents.
And indeed, sir, if there be one thing ia
this world that I would deprecate above aO
others, it would be the severing of the gold
en cord which unites as one the nappy States
of the Union. If the day shall ever deva
when all efforts for preservation shall cease,
and our bleeding country must be torn asun- '
der, no man wiU weep more bitterly over
the sad decree than myself. I should re- ?
gard such an event as the ultimate death 7
knell of popular freedom. It would not on- '
ly finally destroy it upon this continent, by ,
engendering mortal strife between contend
ing sovereignties, but would check the ar-
dor and mildew the hones of the honest tat- r
not of other lands, who impeueo oy our ex if
ample, is now straggling to break the fet- w
. m . a a a '33
ters of his oppressors, and establish systems f
of government for the good of the people.
Bui I cannot believe that any one in eof
O . 1 J . " 1 5 .L a
state sincerely desires disunion, or urn - 4
.1 j r l . T
tnere is any ganger 01 aucn an event, se i
long as our people remain faithful to their in ;.i
terests, and watch the designs of corrupt
and wicked men. The States or this Un
ion are indissolubly connected by the ftrdnf
ties of interest and friendship, and though
at times excitement may be aroused, and
our political sky checkered by dark and L
irowning ciouos, yet a returning sense 01
f . 1 . . .
justice, and a recurrence to the constitution
and the first principles of our government,
will finally dispel the cfloom and restore to
us the sunshine of peace.
x ours, sincerely -
J. B. HENDERSON.
P. S. The above was written before 1 i
saw the communication of "Pike," which
appeared in your last, or I would have been
more explicit "Pike," I think, is known
to me very well, and if not mistaken, he
knew my views at the time of penning bis
communication. Therefore a little act ef
kindness on his part, could have corrected
any misunderstanding that ho knew of. I
ktow not whether my opinions coincide
with bis or not. He of course has a right
to ask my view", but no right to convey a
wrong impression. I answer for his satis
faction, (for he professes to he my friend,)
that I have not cowered at the bellowing of
thMMissouri Buffalo," nor do I expect te
"cower" from the support of any fixed pris-
ciple at the "bellowing" of any other as.
mal.
The Wheat Crop. Next to corn wheat
is the ruling staple of Illinois, and, if we mf
form an opinion from the reports which bars
been rife for a few weeks put, prices will be
quite as good if not much better than thrj
were last year. The crop may be set dowa
as a failure in the States of Ohio and Infr
ana, while in portions of Kentucky, Mi
souri and Northern Illinois ( all wheat grow
ing regions) there will be a diminution
surplus. In Virginia and the Middle State"
the crop is said to be as good as usual, ft
is estimated that the aggregate ef vbeat
sown in the Union this year is greater that J
tnat 01 last year, uismereioro a iuujwi
of enquiry whether the failure of the crop 1
in the sections named, will or will net redtief I
the total below that of last year. It is I
opinion of many, having a direct interest it I
prices, mat 11 win. it is aiso tueir oi
that the foreign demand will be quite eqtui J
to that of last year. The wars in Eurep f
besides withdrawing husbandmen from sir j
riculture. will create a home market fortM !
surplus usually shipped from central ""v
10 ngiana ana eisewnere urns giving,-"
field to ota trade. Should these sptoa
tions be realized, our farmers will gat I
prices for their wheat Ills. State Be& i
ter. 13th. ....
-
Quita CALcnumoitBA Acrreaable V
flection for a married man. The tfaab
Blade lays;
"It would be a curious sight to aB -
babies in the United States, under five y )
of age, together; they would be a prfl'
collection of 2,400,000. What a squaSifl 2
there would be should (hey all be spast j
at tna um, tim. anrl ah.l a nMlt naagr j
. r - v
sugar piume it would take to quiat wew.
nil
