The Repeal of the Missouri Compromise; Its Origin and Authorship (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER II Missouri Politics, 1844-1852 (continued)-]ames S. Green's Reply to Benton's "Appeal"-Benton's Election to the House in 1852. In public addresses and letters, men of great ability denied the soundness of Benton's views, denounced his course in refusing to obey the instructions of the Legislature, and justified their own. Among these public and outspoken critics54 of Benton, none were more conspicuous than David R. Atchison and James S. Green. Atchison was Benton's colleague in the Senate, having been reflected for the full term by the General Assembly which had passed the Jackson Resolutions. Green was a brilliant 54 As early as the first of July, 1849, the following Democratic newspapers, and perhaps others, were actively opposed to Benton: the Metropolitan, at Jefferson City; the Platte Argus, at Platte City; the Missouri Courier, the Southern Standard, the Fayette Democrat, the Howard County Banner, the Northeastern Reporter, the Louisiana (Mo.) Banner, and Grand River Chronicle. The principal papers supporting Benton were the St. Louis Union, and the Jefferson Inquirer. The Whig press was on the whole anti-Benton. In this connection see the Western Eagle, July 6, 1849. Both Benton and Judge Birch (anti) spoke at Liberty, July 16, 1849. Resolutions were adopted declaring in substance that Benton was bound in honor to himself and duty to the State either to obey the instructions of the Legislature or to resign. The resolutions also declared implicit confidence in the ability, integrity and correct principles of Senator Atchison.? The Western Eagle, July 27, 1849. I have been able to discover very little definite information concerning the activities of the anti-Benton leaders in this campaign. young lawyer of St. Louis, a member of the House of Repres...