Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-10-05
Worse and WOrSei

Under this caption the following article appears in
the Louisville Journal, revealing secret which places
poor Breckenridge in most unenviabe category before
the country Let the people read and repress feeling
Of disgust, if they can;
ave stated yesterday that, when It became known
amongst the Disunion leaders in Alabama that Mr..
Breckenridge was speak in vindicalion Of himself
Lexington the 9th instant messenger despatch
ed to Lexington in hot haste by these remorseess plot
ters Of Disunion for the purpose of preventing Mr.
Breckenridge from answering the Norfolk questions and
that the messenger reached Lexington 10 time
hi4 mission.
ave have now to state on authority which no person
in Kentucky would probably feel at liberty question if
we felt entirely at liberty 10 make it public that before
the correspondence between the Ashland Committee and
Mr. Breckenridge took place, when Mr. Breckenridge bad
not yet determined TO appear in his vindcation
while the whole plan Of his appearance was still uupTo
ected his distinguished uncle, Dr. Robt Breckenridge
moved by that deep and keen s0ctude for the welfare
Of his youthful kosman which inspired the voice of
ing he poured with such grandeur and such tenderness
into the errng young mans ear last winter appealed to
him personally aud with strength and pathos not TO be
Withstood out and set hmse right with respect
to the dark suggestions which the reasonable character
aud aim Of the great body OF his supporters raised in
laton to him. silence and forever the damning
suspicion that he cOuntsnanced 10 any the de-
signs Of the wide-mouthed traitors who nOorOusy con-
stitute the rank aud file and leeaders Of his party
wherever DIS party IS or mas SaleSt nope
of supremacy cut himself loose wholly aud conspcu-
ousy from the policy of the DsuniOniss be- condemnng
il and rebukng the authors OF it. separate himself in
short utterly and expressly and beyond all shadow of
controversy from their sentiments and their theories
whatever cost The ilustrous divine called on bis
nephew with thrilling soemnity to do this only for
the sake of his country but for the sake OF his fame
for the sake OF the he bears and for the slke of
those who shall bear it after him We need with
hurried pen try TO depict for the American public the
piercing, eeetrying overpowerng, energy with which
Dr. Breckndge would be apt 10 press appeal Of this
nature under circumstances Of such terrible gravity IL
Is enough TO say that the appeal was irresistible
John G. Breckenridge, struck with noble alright
at the faithful representations of his uncle deter
mined promptly to his from the iniamy that
seemed gathering above it. His better nature startled
appalled, lie resolved instantly to vindcatc himself be-
fore the public. Then followed what the public saw
He was invited 10 speak by committee of citizens
Of Ashland accepted the invitation aud the day OF his
appearance fixed. But alas for the inspirations Of
his better nature for his fame and for all those precious
and glorious incentives which ERE the generous soul to
such heights Of virtue and that urged power.
fully by bis nnce the empter, in the guse OF the Dis.
union messenger have mentioned, arrived before
hand and delivering to him the fierce warnings Of the
Dsunionis scattered hs manly resolution to the winds
Listening to the low Whisperirgs of the messenger of
Dunion John O. Breckenridge forgot the majestic tones
OF expOsulaton Numbered recently 10 his by his
mighty uncle, forgot the dictates Of his high heart,
forgot the invitation OF pure renown forgot the voice OF
country aud Of duty forgot everything but the accents
of ambition stained by faction and tainted with sedi-
ton and revolt. He succumbed outright TO the Dsun-
ioRsts. At the appointed time he spoke indeed but he
did not vindielte himself He spoke because be was
publicly committed speak and had 60 through with
the hollow task His speech a vindcatiou Of him
self, eih ths ViRdieaoa omitted, PARTICULAR RK-
QUEST.
Thus at last the whole mystery Of the Ashland speech
ard OF s amazing and neIpicabe evasion Of the Nor
folk questions, stands revealed. And very miserable
state Of character the revelation dsclosesl Ii really
seems that John O. Brecknridga became the head
OF the Dsuuon party every day aud almost every hour
has witnessed the shearng Of some ustrOus beam from
the shock Of bis young fame"