A SPEECH FROM Mr.. BENTON.
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he respectfully declined, bufptomised that he Would
al convenient time, meet and address them in
relation to the leading political topics Of the day
This meeting having been arranged for the evening
Of the 18th instant, at the Rotundo," large
assembage-many more than could obtain admis-
sion into the building-honored him with their
presence and attention, and by whom Mr.. BENTON
was most cordially greeted.


The following is an authentic report of his Speech
on the occasion, as we find il in the st. Louis Re-
publican, having the sanction Of Col. BENTON
himself for its correctness" The circumstances
under which it was delivered clothe il with q
present interest for nearly all readers.


Mr.. BENTON commenced with returning thanks for tn,
honor of the invitation public dinner from his poica


friends He had declined the honor of the dinner in
ormiy rule which he hal long followed and for thu
speech which might have been expected the dinner table,
preferred to make il under which admitted
more general attendance and would prevent from
hearing il who chose to listen to il.


Great questions he sad had occupied the public mind,
and received their solution, the last three years
his public service all of which he had been called
decided and even prominent part and each Of which it
was natural for him something the present OCCASION
The Oregon question OF these. AT me big with
all the calamties of war; hushed in Iepose and
the country tranquil and happy under its peaceful settlement
His in relation it had been and uni
form. He had opposed The joint occupation treaty of 1918
renewal IN
had abored for termination and he had always
held the parallel of 40 be the proper dividing line between
the American territory of Oregon and the British territory
Fazers But the public mind and especially mind
Of his own party, had been worked up different and
higher view Of our rights Fy-tour fory and all or none
had become our demand War the British answer to
that and although threat of would be no bar right
ul demand, yet answer to wrongful one il was yery
serious he believed the whole demand of the United
to be wrongful far applied Frazers river which
happened to run through the whole territory from your
ory TO forty nine and TO have been discovered by the British
IN 7s3 and covered hy their forts since 1906 The Admin
satlon had taken high ground the party sustained but


was occasion which required public above
party and to look his country alone He had resolved TO
do and 10 for forynne, it it should him his
political existence.


This determinations though formally promulgated wa-
no secret and early enough made known his friends
and 10 the Administration From The first explosion the
question in April lSi5-from the first reverberaon of the
thunder which rolling back from London in answer
the Presidents inaugural addres-he had made known his
opinions TO the Secretary Of State and informed him that be
should support treaty upon the line of 40 if the President
made one upon that basis From that determination he had
never swerved His friends thought there great danger
To nm IN The course he took he himself did think there
was so much He knew his constituents had wrought
up to Ly four foy but he relied upon their equity and in
tegence 70 give him fair hearing and safe deiverance
he paid them the compliment rely upon their justice and
intelligence and the had deceived him The boun
dairy settled The British kept their river and we
Kept ours War avered Great Britain and the United
States remain peace he and his peace
and long might they all remain so
he settlement of this question, Mr. B. went on 10 saw
mao cleared away the only remaining difference between the
TWO kindred nations 1t left them only peace but with
ou' remaining cause OF quarrel For the first time the
stamp act oil 1904 the two nations without cause
oi quarrel For the first in nearly three generations d
men The two grand divisions of the Anglo Saxon racehe
northern stock IN Great Britain and its gigantic progeny in
our amercawere without odssenson and TO
this happy staeto give TO peace its highest ornament and
nooest occupation and to friendship endearing
mentGa eaiantous visitation in part of the British Empire
has called forth all the sympahes Of the human heart on the
side OF one naon and all its gratitude from the other
land iamshes Succor and sympathy ay TO her from the
United States And the swelling tide Of gratitude comes
rolling back from the whole British Empire Thss something
better than being with each other for Frazer
rver, under the sad deuson that part Of Oregon
he thanked God that he had been instrument in yerng
aiding TO avert, this calamity and in producing present
haPy state between the two nations and he thanked his
stuents for approving his conduct in going for their future
good instead of their present wishes


he annexation Of Texas and its sequence the presen, war
win Mexico, another Of the great subjects which
had been called within the last few wears This great
drama, Mr. b. said, divided into many acts and


long space OF time, during all which he had been in
~ and he hoped consistent and prudent He consd
cred this drama beginning in 1919 when Mr. Monroe
Cabinet ceded Texas Spain. II was then given away
ana had not been given there could have been
war with Mexico about getting il back. He denounced
Heay 10 many newspaper articles il made.
and vowed at the time unceasng get back the ceded
poVnce Mr. Adams administration, with Mr. Clay Secre
ay oi oae presented the first opportunity make the e





Representatives. had severely condemned the treaty which
gave away Texas Mr. Adams had opposed that article Of the
treaty at the council table when the majority of Mr. Monoe
Cabinet adopted il. But this was not known 10 him (Nr
until long afterwards His reliance at that time was on
Mr. Clay as Western man, and from his publicly known
opinions on The subject He and Mr. Clay then sepa-
rang IN The new division Of political parties but il did not
prevent them from communng together the subject of
Texas, and cooperating get her back They bad m IN
terview at Iennisons Hotel Washington Among other
thlngs intended by the new Administration, Mr.. C. mention
ed the recovery Of Texas he Mr. B. cordially concued
and promised his faithful operation The Admins aon
made the attempt he (Mr. articles promote il
but the scheme failed Mr. Poinsett was then minister in
Mexico and favorable 70 the object but could not succeed
ana SO ended ihe rst attempt back the great pro
vince which the unwse treaty Of 1919 had given away
speak historically (sad Mr.. and justly and without de-
sign % aVo of to ure any but place Alright before
my constituents my conduct, and that Of others in this
great drama which has ended in between two Repu
hcs' M Adams, al the council table, voted against the ar
u'e whlcn gave Texas away. Mr. Clay in the House of
Representatives, denounced the cession They made the first
enort 10 get back and in speech which processes 10 be


r and impartial let justice be done TO every actor Let
every one take his proper place for or for praise in the
great drama OF the Texas question and IT, bloody sequence


Ihe next attempt was in Gen Jackson's time Mr. Van
buren being Secretary Of State a larger sum was offered
lnan IN the previous Administrations but with no better result


ne negotiation mscanied though zealously supported by


PRESIDENT Jackson his Secretary Of State and the Minister
Mexico. lie (Mr. b. co-operaed with ,hem filling the
newspapers with articles praise Of Texas and using all the
arguments Tor getting her back which since been repeat
~ oy ohers who help then And the second at