Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-08-01
speech of vice.President Breckinridge,
At his home in Frankfort, Ky.


speech of vice.President Breckinridge,
At his home in Frankfort, Ky.
FELLOW CITIZENS: thank you, IA voice-"Hur-
rah for Breckenridge" and cheers out of the fitness
Of grateful heart, for this cordial welcome to my
home. feel, fellow-citizens the improperly upon
an occasion like this of doing much more than re-
turning to you my cordial and grateful acknowledge
ments for your kindness Perhaps, however, may
be allowed here in the midst Of my old district and
surrounded by my neighbors and friends. on the
soil of Kentucky, to make one or two explanatory
statements.
Iforbear, on this OCCASION to enter into any state
ment or argument in reference to the circumstances
that occurred at Baltimore, and which resulted, un-
expectedly to me, in placing me before the country
for the office of PRESIDENT butI think it due to you
and to myself to say that being cognizant of all
those facts having observed all those transactions;
having pondered them carefully; having consulted
with my friends; unconscious altogether Of being
mpelled by hot ambition, feel that the position
which occupy to-day is right (Great applause
feel that could not have shIunk from it without
being false to my country and false to my friends,
consequently accepted it with all its responsible
ty. To those who take advantage of the position of
a silent man to heap upon him execration, l say
"pour on, | can endure" Much applause. leave
it to others to explain more fully the facts and cir
cumstances of this nomination.
Perhaps, also, may be allowed to state that the
charge that stand before the country sectional
candidate cannot be true whether reference be had
to the number of the States which co-operated in
the movement or to the principles they have an
nounced. When you find the democratic organiza-
tion aided by large conservative elements of other
parties in all the Southern States and those two
States upon the Pacific ocean which have been so
removed from the contests of the Atlantic and Mis-
sissippi Valley that their judgment as to what is
sectional ought to be almost conclusive and when
you find majority of the democratic organization
Of the State OF Pennsylvania, and supposed major
ity of New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and
Minnesota with large and imposing organizations in
all the other States cooperating therein, can such
nomination as that be properly called sectional?
majority of the States of the Union sectionals-at
war with the principles upon which the Union itself
is formed?
Fellow-citizens, as to the charge that the Conven
ton to which l owe my nomination, or that the
friends that support me, that myself am tainted
with spirit of disunion, how absurd must it sound
to Kentucky audience and in this old district too.
], an American citizen, Kentuckian who never did
an act nor cherished thought that was not full of
devotion to the Constitution and the Union. Much
applause voice: 1--WE will always stand by
your But perhaps it would have been better,
both your behalf and mine if had refused to
spond to the degrading accusation.
Fellowcitizens, this is perhaps the last time that
will have an opportunity to say anything to my
neighbors and friends during the tendency Of this
canvass While therefore, shall enter into no ar
gument the particular topics of the day. perhaps
you will pardon me for making two or three general
observations which it seems to me should commend
themselves to all parties everywhere.
We live under the best government on earth-
This is the only country in the world where expert
Lac 81 A. 4
tablished over great population and large area of
country, and be compatible with public order. 1t
has been demonstrated in our case for the first time
in the history Of the world. How are we to preserve
these institutions? How are we TO preserve intact
that double form Of government, State and Federal,
handed down to US by our foreGthers? My answer
is that we can only do it by clingng with unalter-
ing fidelity, and :swcrved by the temptations of
expediency or false policy. to the Constitution they
bequeathed to u.s. / hold that fidelity to the Con-
sttuon OF the United States in all its parts and in
MI its obligations is the condition of the American
Union and Of its perpetuation.
That Constitution was framed and transmitted by
the wsest generation Of men "that ever lived in the
tide of time" 1t may be called an inspired instru.
ment. Let us keep it, and keep it pure. Much
applause
Now, fslow-citizens, every citizen Of the United
States whatevery may be his position, has resting
upOh pCioOidl OuIiSatlOu 10 See lnaL the true
character Of the Confederacy is preserved Each,
In his place. is responsible and no man can cast off
the obligation. We must abide by that Constitu-
tion We must not construe away its obligations
and duties on the one hand nor on the other claim
for it powers not guaranteed by the States. The
moment We do that, that moment we change the
character of the Government The moment we VIC.
late one principle of the Constitution for policy that
moment it ceases to be the Government our fathers
m nor knv I.sn zl
from the landmarks Of the Constitution we shall
find that the whole system Of government has been
radically. changed
What are two or three of the fundamental prnci.
pies OF the Constitution? assert, without fear of
successful contradiction anywhere, that the great
fundamental principle underlying all is the equality
Of the States of tho Union They were equal and
independent sovereignties before that instrument
was framed 1t was framed to preserve not to de-
stroy, that equality. This Government is confed.
GRAFTON Of equal States, and the moment that ap-
pied to States, or the citizens Of States or to prop
erty OF citizens Of the States, you discriminate be-
tween one State and another, or between one de.
sgaption Of property and another, that moment you
change the character Of the Government; that mo.
mont you destroy the equality of the States and the
citizens; that moment you degrade one portion o,
the Confederacy, and il becomes Union not q
equal and sovereign States, butts Union of some
States and some provinces.
Now fellow-citizens, growing out Of this doctrin,
Of the equality Of the States which, in the abstract
no man will deny, rose the duty Of the Federal Gov
eminent to protect the rights Of citizens and the
property everywhere within its jurisdiction, when
ever It shall be proper and necessary to do 80.
under the Tag of the Union and within tn
sphere Of federal jurisdiction, the citizens of Aassa
cn9setts Michigan, and Vermont have the sam
'iighse Of person and property, no more no less q
the citizens Of Kentucky, Louissna, and Texas
icraear 70 apply it bntf lay it down as an undenis
ble.truSh. :.
Another great principle Of the Constitution ID III
o.s.sssoe:sian q Government as such, from ever
system q religion OF faith and the perfect secnrt
OF me rights Of conscience. Happily for us :
serious attack Is made upon it now in any Quartz,
tne government is also charged in its sphere wit