Republican Herald

The Kentucky Murder. The continued endeavor of the coalition party in Lexington, to justify the inhuman sacrifice of a worthy man at the shrine of political vengeance, has elicited from Mr. McCalla, the successor in the editorial chair of Mr. Benning, a detailed statement of facts, which in the minds of all candid men will but fix the stain still deeper on the miscreant who achieved, and the men who justify him in this outrage.

Although we have before given publicity to most of the circumstances attending this tragical occurrence, yet they are of such a nature as will bear repetition, and will indeed, we apprehend be dwelt upon with increased interest, as they show the desperate and convulsive throes of reckless partisans, stripped of their power and ability to work national iniquity, and feasting their unquenchable appetite for blood upon meritorious individuals. Their progress from the elevation of power to their native obscurity is marked with blight and desolation; and the country, although she has heaved the lava from her bosom, has yet for a while to endure the scorching upon her outer borders.

The Jury, on this case, who to the astonishment of all classes, brought in a verdict of manslaughter only, was composed almost entirely of the friends of Mr. Clay. The particulars are detailed in substance as follow: An anonymous piece signed "Coriolanus," avowed by Charles Wickliffe (the murderer) to be his production, appeared in the Kentucky Reporter of the 3d March, which, as our readers have seen, indulged in the most violent abuse of the party called "Gazette men," and alluded in no very courteous terms to two persons, whom it has been since ascertained, were Major James Shannon and Mr. McCalla, the present Editor of the Kentucky Gazette. This piece was replied to, with some spirit, but with enough candor, as our readers also have seen, in the Kentucky Gazette, over the signature of "Dentatus."

Writhing under the lash of conscience and keen satire, young Wickliffe appeared at the office of Mr. Benning, and demanded the author of Dentatus. A friend to whom he communicated his intentions, in vain urged the inexpediency and impropriety of such a course, and refused to accompany him there. On hearing his demand, Mr. Benning requested him to call at 9 o'clock, which he did. The editor at this interview, told him that he must see the author, and that if he would call the next morning at 8 o'clock, he should have the name. This was strongly objected to by Wickliffe, who insisted upon instant information, and ended by calling Mr. Benning by some harsh epithet, and advancing upon him in an attitude of attack. Benning, who had a small stick in his hand, attempted to raise it in his defence; but it was quickly taken from him by Wickliffe, who at the same time pulled out one of his pistols. Benning being at this time entirely unarmed, attempted to make his escape through the back door of his office, and whilst going from his assailant and endeavoring to avoid his attack, he was mortally wounded by the discharge of the pistol. Wickliffe then pulled out another pistol, and maintained his stand for a moment, in an attitude of menace in Benning's office; and finally pulled out a third pistol, and stood some time in front of the office, threatening to shoot again.

Mr. Benning did not fall when he received the wound; but was soon carried from his office to his residence, where he had his wound examined. He was wounded just above the left hip, about two inches on the left side of the back bone, and the probe on being introduced, at about three inches struck against the transverse process of that portion of the back bone above the hip, the ball having gone through the intestines, and lodged in the walls of the belly. He lingered in extreme agony about 24 hours and died.

That evening a warrant was granted for the apprehension of Wickliffe, which was placed in the hands of the high sheriff. Accompanied by a few citizens, he proceeded to the residence of his father, where after some delay he was finally delivered up to the officers. He kept him during the night and until 10 o'clock the next day at Mr. Wickliffe's, when he produced him before an examining court, composed of two Magistrates of Fayette county, who in the real or pretended belief that the wound was slight or harmless, admitted the prisoner to bail. In three hours afterwards Mr. Benning died.

After this event, another warrant was issued to apprehend young Wickliffe, who, it was then ascertained, had made his escape, and has not since been heard of. His father, who in the case of Desha, manifested so much violence that he should endeavor to screen his son from the full effects of the law, had consented to his escape. In a petition presented by him to the Court, for a suspension of proceedings against his son, he attributes the death of Mr. Benning to libellous publications in the Gazette, thus virtually justifying this unprincipled act; and implying, plainly enough, what ruin, if it were in his power, he would bring down upon all who have the courage to strip corruption of its coul, and expose to the people the horrid paraphernalia concealed within these living sepulchres.

These men have nothing to lose—nothing; and what they may gain, will be only by acts of desperation. They hover like spectres on the edge of the awful precipice to which they had enticed our liberty, and from which she has started as from a dream. They are filled with shame and mortification, and a burning thirst of vengeance, which can only be satiated with innocent blood. Bost. Statesman.