at the interruption, and Governor Gilmcr, Mr. Calhoun had been prostrated by sudden then Secretary oí the Navy, took the position illness. Benton promptly said, "Benton will vacated by him. Immediately afterwards not speak today; for when God Almighty the explosion took place, killing Gilmer and lays his hand on a man Benton takes his off. Mr. Vpshar, then Secretary of State. The The Legislature of Missouri, in January, incident made a deep impression on Ben- 1849, adopted what were known as the Jack ton's mind, and in speaking afterwards of it son resolutions. In substance the resolu to Webster he said: "It seemed to me, Mr. tions denied the constitutional power of Webster, as if in that touch on my shoulder Congress to inhibit slavery in the territories, the hand of the Almighty stretched down and announced that, if Congress passed such there drawing me away from what otherwise acts, Missouri would be found with her sister would have been instantaneous death. I was states of the South, battling against "North merely prostrated on the deck, and recov ern fanaticism"; the Senators were instructed ered in a short time. That one circumstance to act in conformity with the resolutions. has changed the whole current of my Benton recognized this as a thrust at him, thoughts and life. I feel that I am a differ and intended for his undoing. He promptly ent man, and I want, in the first place, to met the issue, denounced the resolutions, re be at peace with all those with whom I have fused to obey them and announced his pur been so sharply at variance; and so I have pose to appeal to the people of Missouri. As come to you. Let us bury the hatchet, Mr. soon as Congress adjourned he entered upon Webster." And so they did, shaking hands the most remarkable campaign of his life. and ever thereafter remaining friends. He addressed the people throughout the Mr. Benton religiously believed the doc state, many of whom really met him for the trines advocated by Calhoun would ulti first time. This campaign was the most re mately lead to disunion; he loved the Union markable, in many ways, that ever occurred with his whole soul, hence he stood with in the state. The Democratic party was di Tackson, and bitterly fought nullification. It vided as "Benton" and Anti-Benton" Dem seems from that date the fight with Cal ocrats. Benton believed joint discussions houn was on for life; that they were never on the stump accomplished no good, hence friends again. We may at least infer so from he refused to take part in such discussions. an incident which I shall now mention. In His style of campaigning was unique—un 1849, when Benton was making his great like that of other men. He was always appeal to the people of Missouri, on one oc promptly on hand to fill his appointment. He casion he begun his speech as follows: Citi usually rode in a carriage from his hotel to zens, no man since the days of Cicero has the place of speaking, walked to the rostrum been abused as has been Benton. What without stopping to speak even to the most Cicero was to Cataline, the Roman con intimate acquaintance, and without introduc spirator, Benton has been to John Cataline tion by any one commenced his speech—al Calhoun, the South Carolina Nullifier; ways addressing his audience as "Citizens" Cicero fulminating his philippic against —never "Fellow-Citizens.'1 His speeches Cataline in the Roman forum; Benton de in the above mentioned campaign were de nouncing Calhoun upon the floor of the scribed by those who heard them as remark American Senate; Cicero against Cataline— able for their great force, their logic, their Benton against Calhoun." On one occasion sarcasm and their withering denunciation of Benton was to reply in the United States his enemies. At times he was almost brutal Senate to a speech delivered the day previous in his fierce denunciation of those whom he by Calhoun. Before beginning his speech it accused of becoming traitors to his party, was announced that during the night before and to the Union. He considered the lead
