The Arkansas Banner

Mr. Benton's Position.

Referring to the speech delivered in the Senate by Mr. Benton, on the 20th inst., the Washington correspondent of the Picayune says:

"Mr. Benton stands alone. He has no friend in the Senate—and scarcely the free-soilers to rely on as allies. He does not endorse the President's plan of non-action, because he is in favor of establishing territorial governments in New Mexico and Utah, and opposed to the coming in of New Mexico as a State. This separates him from the Administration. He is opposed to the Wilmot Proviso as applied to the territories, in favor of the fugitive slave bill, and of the extension of the laws of Maryland over the District, which separates him from the free-soilers and Southern ultras. He is in favor of paying Texas fifteen millions, but wants to rob her of additional seven hundred thousand square miles, and hence is opposed by the Senators and members from Texas; and last, not least, he is opposed to the union of the bills, which is the only means of passing either, and thus at war with the friends of the compromise, and the saviours of peace and harmony all over the country. Yet Mr. Benton, thus at war with, and repudiated by, all parties, assumes the air of a conqueror, and takes advantage of his position as 'the oldest Senator' to read Clay, Cass and Webster a homily de officiis. Presumption and vituperation have always been the leading characteristics of the distinguished Senator from Missouri, and will signalize his exploits until he shall be laid in his political grave on the 4th of March, 1851. He will die a victim to inordinate self-love, which prevented him from being just to others or true to himself and to the country."