Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-09-19
The Standard.
THE PRESIDENTIAL CANVASS.
SPEECH OF MIR. BRECKINRIDGE AT
ASHLAND, KENTUCKY.

THE PRESIDENTIAL CANVASS.
SPEECH OF MIR. BREcKINR1DGE AT
ASHLAND, KENTUCKY.
The speech of the Hon. John c. Breckenridge, of
Kentucky. delivered at Ashland on "Wednesday
last will, as matter of course, be read with inter-
est at the present crisis, by men Of all PARTIES
We therefore publish it at length this morning, as
follows:
SPEECH OF Mr.. BREcKrNRIDGE.
beg YOU, my nsighbors, friends and old constit.
uents to be assured that feel profoundly grateful
for the cordial welcome you have extended to me-
The circumstances under which appear before you
Rre novel and unusual. do it in obedience to the
request of friends whose intelligence have been &C
customed to observe.
And If it be on uncommon thing for person in
INV position to address assemblies of people, can
only say, that hope to discuss topics which are in
i manner not altogether unworthy the attitude
which occupy l shall certainly indulge in no
language which, in my opinion, will fall below the
dignity Of political discussion. The condition of
nv health and my position, make it impossible for
me to extend my voice over this vast assembly, but
trust will become stronger as proceed.
have been asked, low-citizens, to speak at my
own home, because and the political organization
with which am connected have been assailed IN an
unusual manner, and charged with treason to my
own country. I appear before you to-day for the
purpose Of repelling certain accusations which have
been made against me, personally, and Industrious
" circulated through other States of the Union;
and next, to show that the principles upon which
stand are the principles Of both the Constitution and
the Union of our country. [Great applause.] And
surely if at any time the justification could be fosnd
BY any man for addressing the people in the position
which occupy, it will be found in my case.
ANONYMOUS writer's and wandering orators have
chosen to tell the people that individually, am
disunionist and traitor to my country; and they
declare with assurance that have exhibited trea-
son that makes, by comparison with it, Burr pa
triot, and the memory of Arnold respectable.
But fellow citizens before come to these topics,
I desire to make and prove comprehensive state
ment in regard to my position in connection with
the Presidency of the United States. have been
charged with intriguing for this nomination. have
been charged with leapng before the wishes of the
people, and desiring to thrust myself before them for
the highest office in their gift.
To chat answer that it is wholly untrue. l have
written to nobody soliciting support have con-
versed with nobody soliciting support. I have in
srigued with nobody 1 have promised nobody.
To these statements challenge contradiction from
any human being Cheers.
Mr.. Breckenridge, resuming.-I did not seek or
desire to be placed before the people for the office of
President, by any convention, or any part of any
convention When returned to the State of Ken
lucky, in the spring of 1852 and was informed that
some partial friends were presenting my name to
the public in that connection, and certain editor
(whose presence see here) in this State had hoist
ed my name for the Presidency. l said to him,
"Friend, am not in any sense a candidate for the
Presidency" and desired that my name should be
taken down from the head of his columns 1t was
done.
A very eminent citizen of the commonwealth of
Kentucky (Mr. Guthre) was presented for that of.
fee. l was gratified to it, and as far my own
declarations were Concerned l united cordially in
presenting him for the suffrages of the American
people, though, at no time, in or out Of the COM
monwealth Of Kentucky, did do an act or utter a
word which would bring my in conflict with
his, that of any other American citizen who de-
sired or whose friends desired for him, that posi-
stion. And if you took the trouble to read the
proceedings of the Charleston Convention, you will
remember that when received the vote of Arkan-
sas one Of my friends arose and withdrew my name,
declaring that would not allow it to come in oppo-
sition to the gentlemen before the convention.
When that convention assembled at Baltimore,
my feelings and my conduct were still unchanged.
After the disruption which took place there, my
name without any solicitations my part, was
presented as . candidate. Previously, not deeming
such thing possible said "did not desire to be
presented to the American people, but am content
with the honors which have been heaped upon me
by my State and my country, and look forward
with pleasure to the prospects have of serving my
country in the Senate Of the United States for the
next six years." My name, however, was present
ed and felt that could not refuse to accept the
nomination under the circumstances, without aban.
donng vital principles and betraylng my friends
1t is said was not regularly nominated, and that
an eminent citizen of Illinois was regularly nomi-
mated for the Presidency; but that is question |
have not time 10 discuss to-day, and it has already
been thoroughly exhibited and discussed be.
fore the people. | refer you TO the bold letter Of
your delegates from this congressional district
refer you to the mastery and explanative speech
recently delivered by my honorable friend in whose
grounds we are met. / can only say that the con-
vention which assembled at the Front Street Thea
tire at Baltimore devoid not only of the spiri,
Of justice, but Of the forms of regularity Cheers
The gentleman whom 1t presented never received d
vote required by the rules Of the democratic organi
cation.
Whole States were excluded and DISTINGUISHED ir
that convention, not to speak of individuals; tn,
most fragrant acts of injustice were perpetrated fo
the purpose Of forcing particular dogma upon tn,
democratic organization and the gentleman who il
the representative of that dogma and principles
which will be able to show, are repugnant alike t.
reason and the constitution Owing to the mpro
priety of those proceedings, decided majority O
the delegates from your own State withdrew from
the convention, declaring that it not Nationa
Ccayention Of the real democratic organization
The entire delegation from the fifteen Southern
States, and of California and Oregon, with !arg
minorities from other States making in whole or i,
part delegations from almost two-thirds of tn
States Of the confederacy, represented Nations
Democratic Convention, depending upon the au
thority and loyalty of the democratic party.
But after all. the great question is, what are tn
principles which ought to commend themselves
the American people at issue in this canvass
These will discuss before am done, but before
proceed further will group together and answer
number Of personal accusations, some of which en-
anated in the State Of Kentucky and others elst
where, by which, through me, it is attempted t
strike down the organization with which am cor
sedted 1t begets in me almost feeling of humil
alton to answer some of them, but as have impo!
edapon myself the task, / will go through them a
as briefly as l can. [Cheers. A voice" Go i
Johnr'1
/ he3ieye n has been nnhlished in almost over