Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-10-26
Tne lion Bearded in his Den {!

Recently, our talented young Fflend, MT.
William 6. P. Breckenridge, visited the
Hon. John Young Browns distriet--the
5th-and eanvassed several counties with
that gentleman. AtSpringGeld, Mr. Breck-
enridge. in replying to Mr.. Brown, stated
that the reason his cousin, the distinguished
candidate for the Presidency, had not an
swered the Norfolk questions IN his Lex
ington speech was, that they had never been
properly put to him. Thas Mr.. Geo. W.
johnson, Breckenridge Eeeter, had told
CAPTAIN A. BufoYd that if he would put
the questions, he would stand by him to pro-
tect him from insult. The very offer itself,
we may say by parenthesis, was conclusive
evidence Of the danger to any one who
should attempt It Capt Buford, Mr.. Brock
inridge said, had not put the questions, and
therefore, the Vice President bad not the
opportunity Of answering. Mr.Brown here
arose, and, respectfully interrapting Mr..
Breckenridge, remarked, that, this was by
far the most important question that they
could disuss to-day, or that possibly could
be discussed; that he had no ambition to
thrust himself into the notoriety that would
attend any one who would pat those ques-
tons to one so distinguished for his high
character and for the lofty position to which
Mr.. Breckenridge aspired. He { Mr. Brown
had an appointment to address the citizens
Of Lexington. If Mr.. breckenridge, the
kinsman and neighbor of the Vice "resi-
dent, would. in the presence Of this-the
Spring feld-m meeting state that he would
hn Of ND
invite him to put those questions to Mr.
John G. Breckenridge, he would take pleas
ure in giving the latter an opportunity to
answer them.
Mr.. Breckenridge replied that he was not
authorized to make such a promise.
| At Lebanon, Mr.. Brown. III his speech,
rehearsed these facts, when Mr.. Breckln-
ridge arose, interrupting him. and said he
would give him that opportunity; that he
would, from the stand, invite MIR. Brown to
ask the questions.
I On Tuesday, Mr.. Brown spoke at Lex
ington to large and enthusiastic crowd -
Nj. w. G.. p Breckinringe was on the
stand. At the conclusion, Mr.. Brown turu-
ed and said that, If auy young gentleman
wished to extend an invitation to him, be
would be glad to accept it.
Mr. Breckenridge arose and redeemed his
|promise.
Mr.. Brown then read the Norfolk ques-
tions, addressing them to Mr. John g.
Breckenridge.
Mr.. VIM. y, P. Breckenridge said that
he had not been authorized to invite Mr..
Brown to ask the questions Of the Vice Pres
ident, and that the questions were address
I'd here to the Fayette people, and not C
| bis cousin
| Mr.. Brown then said that if the gentle
man would invite him, he was willing, be-
fore he left town either to address the ques-
tions to Mr.. Breckinrdge, in letter by
mail, or through the hands Of q freud. To
this Mr.. Breckenridge made no reply.
The entire speech Of Mr.. Brown was hail
ed with most enthusiastic applause, and the
result of the refusal of Mr.. W. G. z. Brock
inridge to grant Mr.. Browns request, bro't
forth bursts of indignant shouts that must
have echoed and re echoed in the ears of the
Vice President in his own bone.
| Mr.. John c. Breckenridge had before
| placed his friend, Mr. Lamb, the Virginia
EIector, in most awkward position. What
will be said now when be refuses to redeem
( the pledge of his kinsman? What does this
ominous reticence mean ? What does this
| terrible silence forbode What means, what
inducements can be offered that will disturb
this dreadful quiet in Major Breckenridge
What love, honor Or patriotism will make
him sensible Of his duty? The appeals OF
the press, the cries Of the people.t the pledge
Of his Elector, the promise Of hrs kinsman,
have all vainly besought him in vain. Lou
isville, KY, Democrat