The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-01-26

AL men who know me, know that among all
the distinguished families of which Ken
tucky boasts, that have always been proud
of the Breckinridge name. have from ear
lies. life looked to some portion of them As
guides and pilots Of my political opinions
I have been personally associated; my fami
iIy has been associated with them. l would
not have said these things did not the occa-
sion call for it. and did not kno y that these
linsinuations have been made. / would say
of all the men whose names are presented to
the American people by the Democracy in
regard to the next Presidency. that would
not see any one attain that high position
sooner than John c. Breckenridge of Ken
lucky.
! EQUAL RIGHTS.
| But, gentlemen, neither Governor Magof.
fin nor Senator Breckinridge, are infallible,
and, here to-night, humble as | may be, un-
honored as ] am by having these doors clos
ed upon me, native of Kentucky, and a
man that belongs to one of the great parties
of the United States, mean to be the peer
of the gentlemen, and equal in every respect
SO far man is equal to man. God knows
do not detract from, do l envy the honors
of these distinguished gentlemen, for whatev-
er else may be said of them it cannot be de-
MED that they wear their honors gracefully
and with becoming humility.
| We must recollect that in this Common.
wealth we stand on broad basis of equality
and that, whatever other people may think
| | have Just as much right to be heard here
and now as other men. Let my opinions be
what they may, those opinions ought TO be
fairly canvassed. and il they are good you
should vindi ate them by carrying them In to
4 : f.l l. L.,
duty to reject them and take those that are
better.
Is SINCERELY AN EMANCIPATIoNIsr.
AS said in the beginning, Gibbon says
Of the two great virtues sincerity is one
This. gentlemen, whatever may be my short
comings with regard to courage, believe my
sincerity and love of truth have not been
questioned, aud although am here alone.
one among million. differing with you. it
possibly may be, know that you will credit
that believe that which l say l believe. l
do not deny that, following in the faith Of our
fathers, l am an emancipationist. How
could commend myself, then, TO you. if,
having made this avowal everyw ere with
in this Commonwealth. should conceal or
deny my sentiments He is not a danger
Gus man that goes about openly and above
board, avowing what his sentiments are, but
he is the dangerous man who having senti-
ments denies them, and you all know aud
feel this truth, and therefore it is because you
balieye l have beeu true my ut.~sanco,
that have been able to stand comparative
ly alone in the State, telling these things.
am, upon this subject of emancipation just
where l always was. But L do not intend
to discuss this subject. 1 do not now pro-
pose to enter into debate to whether We
should by gradual, and distant, and pros
pective means, get clear of slavery. That L
have done upon almost every stump and in
eyery county in this Commonwealth, again
and again. That is not the present issue
1t cannot be denied. and you all know it,
that have always stood fairly and squarely
upon the Constitution and the laws, and 1
have always been obedient to law, law and
order man.
THE MADISON COUNTY MoBS'
Now, gentlemen, for a few personal expla-
nations. before enter upon the vindlcstion
Of the Republican party. Allow me here to
state what has been and what is yet my posi-
ton in my own county. There are distin-
ruished gentlemen here, members of the Leg
islature and outside of the Legislative body,
OF Madison, and they know that that which l
shall say is so. is truth. l allude 10 the ex
pulsion of the Rev. John G. Fee, of Kentucky
and some nineteen other citizens OF the COM
monwealth by birth and choice, from their
homes; and their departure into exile.
| Some three years since, on the Fourth
day of July, when Mr.. Fee returned again
to the State after a temporary absence, he
took the ground of what may be called the
| radical abolition party. and as a citizen of the
Commonwealth, he owed no allegiance to
the Constitution and laws adopted and enact
ed on the subject OF Slavery. and that he
planted himself upon the higher law of ratu-
raj right Although | accorded 20 him, that
which now believe and sill assert, that he
was honest-that he was pure IN his purpose
and that he was sctuated by the highest love
| ot Christian charity, Yet II was not the
ground upon which | stood, as l was Con
stitution and law loving man, l argued TO
him that l could not aud should no longer
stand by him, that owed 1t to myself and
owed it TO those laboriug men OF the country
who held no slaves, aud whose cause plead
ed, and who nfded in my leadership. 10 say
| to them that his was an unsafe ana untena-
BILE position, and one which no man can hold
and that It would Immediately bring them IN
to conflict with the laws OF the country, and
that position, 10 matter by whom Strength
ensd, could not be maintained. That IS what
l told him and them. Well, now, l am nc
ION QulAOtes ~ 80 ts"1A 49, sAAN
battles of every man who may venture au
opinion upon the subject OF slavery; and an
| TO be accused as sedltious man and de
uouneed by others as a bully because | wa:
willing TO stand by those men who took and
maintained the ground that | had tsugh
them to stand upon? put it to every mar
that hears me, II it would not have been bass
in me. after l persuaded men comparatively
ignorant to come out and take ground agains
slavery, if had deserted them Although
l love life As much as any man. and hav,
: perhaps as much to live for. as any man.
would die ten thousand deaths before woull
5 be guilty of such base ingratitude. l sa,
r this, that wherever man. planting himsei
{ on the broad Constitutional ground OF on
: fathers of l776. follows me, l will stand b.
: and defend him to the best of my ability AM
Q .. We him such protection as / can when til