Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-08-01
speech of vice-President Breckenridge,

At has home an FRANKFORT ny.
FELLow-crrIzENs: thank you, IA voice" Hur-
rah for Breckinrdge" and cheers out OF the iulness
of a 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 nv 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.
forbear on this occasion, to enter into any state
ent or argument in reference to the circumstances
that occurred at Baltimore and which resulted, I'M
expeetedly to me- in placing me before the country
for the office of President; but 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
impelled By a hot ambition l 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
silent man to heap upon him execration, say
''pour on, can endure" Much applausel | 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-
ton aided by large conservative elements of other
parties in all the Southern States and IN those two
States upon the Pacific ocean which have been so
removed from the contests of the Atlantic and Mis-
sissipp Valley that their Judgment 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, such
nomination that be properly called sectional: A
majority of the States Of the Union sectional? -at
with the principles upon which the Union itself
is formed?
Fellow-citizens as to the charge that the Conven-
ton 70 which l owe my nomination, or that the
friends that support me- or that myself am tainted
with spirit of disunion how absurd must it sound
to Kentucky audience and in this old district too
J. an American citizen, kentuckian, who never did
an act nor cherished thought That not full of
devotion to the Constitution and the Union Much
applause A voice: I'VE will always stand by
younl But perhaps it would have been better,
both on your behalf and NINE if had refused to re-
spond to the degrading accusation.
Fellow-ctizens, this is perhaps the last time that
l will have an opportunity to say anything to my
neighbors and friends during the tendency Of this
canvass. While, therefore, shall enter into ar
gument the particular topics of the day, perhaps
you will pardon me for making two 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
ment has demonstrated that may be
tablished 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
Nxa IN int,
that double form of government State and Federal
handed down to US by our forefathers? Nv answer
is that we can only do it by clingng with unfalter
ing fidelity, and :sYerved by the temptations of
expediency or false policy, to the Constitution they
bequeathed to us. I hold that fidelity to the Con-
stituton of the United States in all its parts and in
all its obligations is the condition of the American
Union and of its perpetuaton.
That Constitution was framed and transmitted by
the wisest generation of men THAT ever lived in the
tide of time" 1t may be called an inspired instru-
1nent. Let us keep it and keep it pure. Much
applause
Now, felow-citizens, every citizen of the United
States, whatevery may be his position has resting
upon him personal obligation to see that the true
character of the Confederacy is preserved Each,
IN his place. Is responsible, and man can cast off
the obligation. We must abide by that Constitu-
ton. We must not construe away its obligations
and duties on the one hand nor on the other claim
moment we do that, that moment we change the
character of the Government The moment we vio-
late one principle of the Constitution for policy that
moment it ceases to be the Government our fathers
gave u.s. And when once we have drifted ayay
from the landmarks of the Constitution we shall
lind that the whole system of government has been
radically; changed
What are two or three of the fundamental princi-
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 the 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 a confed-
Grafton of equal States, and the moment that ap-
piled 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.
scription 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
ctzens; that moment you degrade one portion OF
the Confederacy, and it becomes Union not OF
equal and sovereign States, but Union of some
states and some provinces
NOW fellow-citizens, growing out of this doctrine
OF the equality of the States which, in the abstract
NO man VIII deny, rose the duty of the Federal Gov
erpment 70 protect the rights of citizens and the;,
properly everywhere within its jurisdiction. when
ever II shall be proper and necessary to do so
Under the flag Of the Union, and within III.
sphere OF federal jurisdiction the citizens of Massa
chusetts, Michigan and Vermont have the sam,
lights OF person and property, no more no less a,
the citizens Of Kentucky, Louisiana, and Texas
iOr5ear to apply it but lay it down as an undepa
bic truth. " N'"-eNA
another great principle Of the Constitution is TN
ois-assoclation Of Government as SUCH from, ever,
system OF religion or faith and the perfect securit;
o. the rights of conscience. Happily for us, n
serious attack is made upon it now in any quarter
"s government is also charged in its sphere will