 Benjamin , in his speeches in the Senate , took the position that the Union was a compact by the states from which any of them could secede . Nevertheless , he understood that any dissolution would not be peaceful , stating in 1856 that " dreadful will be the internecine war that must ensue " . In 1859 , Benjamin was elected to a second term , but allegations of involvement in land scandals and the fact that upstate legislators objected to both of Louisiana 's senators being from New Orleans stretched the contest to 42 ballots before he prevailed . 
