Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-10-03
From the Geergetown Journal.
READ THE RECORD.
JOHN 6. BREcKEERIDoE THEN AND NOV


We call the attention of our readers, the
people of Kentucky, and the whole nation
Wings, Democrats and Americans the fol.
lowing language used by John @. Breckenridge,
that paragon Of dignity, virtue and modesty,
in defence of VIM. o, Butler when candidate
for the Vice Presidency. We copy the Ian
guage from speech made by that gentleman
in the House of Representatives, March Sd,
1852, 10 reply to Mr.. Cabell, of Florida, who
defended Mr.. Fillmore.
81 have shown that their is no colorado
pretext for calling him a mum candidate. In
truth, he has not avowed himself candidate
at all. The Democracy of Kentucky have put
forward his name 10 respectful terms, and
with it certain platform, that is all. What
wonld the gentleman have? What would
others have9 Would they haze him roam Orer
the country, cIamOring for support and spreads
ing his sails 10 erery breeze Of popular excite
ment? Would they have him WITH INDIE
CENT ANXIETY issuing proclamations like
bulletins on a campaign, and make new
character every fortnight 10 suit the shifting
temper of the times9 Would they have him
do these tling>l Gen. Butler has remained
Nth quiet dignity at his home in kentucky;
he has not mingled in this Presidential stTifs.
To By mind, sir, 1t is noble spectacle. IT
Is THE HOMAGE He PAYS TO TIE GOOD
SENSE AND CAPACITY OF HIS COUNz
TRYMEN This course carries the mind back
to the earlier and purer days ofthis Republic,
and recalls the memory of those really great
men who neither sought nor declined the Pres
idency. The aridity Nth Which high offices
are sought nOW-a-days 1 regard as the aoOrst,
tie Gerry soorst symptoms Of the Zines. From
it, as from c0piOus fountain, JtoO CORRUP-
TON, EXTRAVAGANCE, FROFLIGACY,
NATIONAL DISGRACE. The admonitions
of history upon this point are full of instruc-
tion. Choose where yOa oiH, sir, the moral is
aIaoays the same. We learn that the Pr@tOrian
bands used to set up the Roman empire at
auction, and enforce their bargains by the
sword; but sometimes the arts and schemes
that spring out of corrupt civilization furnish
means Of Legitimate advancement not less at
tractive than arms IL wiU be time for hon
est men to despair of the Republic aohen dspir-
ants struggle after the same fashiOR, and strug-
gle successfully, for the highest and tOa0est Of
fees IN the land hope that the Chief Ma
gistrGcy Of the Union oiU eUer be designated
By the spontaneous UOice Of the people, and that
the citizen soh0 is hOnOred By the public choice
may deserve the place for his services, has cir
tues and has nlodesty. See App. CoDgression-
al Globe, vol. XIV, p. 30l.
Now, we ask, has not Mr.. Breckenridge con-
demned himself out of his own mouthl We
wish that we or any one else could say OF Mr.
Breckenridge, what lie says of Gen. Butler.
He unlike Gen. Butler has eUinced an indecent
anxiety for the position to which he aspires
He unlike Gen. Butler has no confidence in the
good sense and capacity of his countrymen, but
casting off that quiet dignity which has made
him SO much honored in Kentucky, we find
him at Tippecanoe, at Hamilton, and various
other places, making political harangues to
the people. We find hun roaming over the
country clamOriDg for support, and spreading
his sails for every breeze of popular excite
ment. Ii Gen. Butler by remaining at home
presented noble spectacle, what kind Of a
spectacle did Mr. Breckenridge, by going from
home, present. Was it not ignoblol has not
Mr.. Breckenridge shown an avidity for the high
office to which he aspires unworthy the really
great great men who hJurished during the
purer days of our Republic, and even OF the
worthy and dgnihed statesmen Of the present
day. Has he not set an example from which,
as from copous fountain, flow corruption,
extravaganza, profigacy and national disgrace3
Look at this matter with unprejudiced aud IN
jaundiced eyes. Look at it Democrats, Wings
and Americans. Look at it all who have any
respect for our Republic for our institutions,
for otr national honor, and then ask yourselves
if it is not time for honest men to despair of
our glorious Republic when a candidate for the
second highest Office within its gift stoops to
struggle for it after the same fashion that the
lowest politician struggles for the lowest office
in the land. Will the American people allow
this Pr@tOrian to sell their country and then
enforce his bargain by the arts and schemes of
the corruption party whose leader he is7 God
forbid. Gen. Butler was permitted to remain
in the enjoyment Of his quiet dignity, at his
home in Kentucky when he was an aspirant
for the Vice Presidency, and we sincerely trust
that Mr.. Breckenridge may be permitted to re-
main at home, not to enjoy his quiet dignity,
for that he has forfeited, but to sink into that
obscurity which should be the reward OF every
man who attempts to compromise the honor
and dignity of our country and destroy the
prestige of our national character.