Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-09-13
GREAT SPEECH OF Hon. j. c. BREoKrNRIDGE,
AT LEXINGTON. KY.

been accustomed to observe and if it be an uncommon
aoT only hope to discuss opcs in @
not altogether unworthy of the attitude occupy. shall
certainly indulge in no language which, my opinion. will
fan below the dignity of political discussion The condition
Of my health and my position make it impossible for me to
extend my voice over this vast assembly but trust will
have been asked, feowcitizens to speak at my own
home because the political organization with which am
connected has assaulted in unusual manner and
charged with treason to my own country appear before
you to-day for the purpose of repeng certain accusations
which have been made against me- personally and ndustr
ously circulated through other States of the Union
the principles of the Constitution and the Union of our
country And, surely at time the justification could
be found by man for addressing the people the posi-
ton which occupy, it will be found in my case. Anony
nous writer's and wandering orators have chosen to tell the
people that individually, am disunonist and traitor
my country. And they declare with assurance and affirm
that have exhibited treason that makes by comparison
Burr patriot, and the memory of Arnold respectable.
But fellow Citizens before come to these topics desire
to make comprehensive statement In regard to my posi-
ton In connection with the Presidency of the United States
have been charged with a premature ambition have
been charged with intriguing for this nomination; with
eapng before the wishes of the people, and desiring
thrust myself before them for the highest Office their gift
To that answer that is wholly untrue. have written
dy soliciting support have intrigued with nobody.
have promised nobody To these statements challenge
contradiction from any human being. ICheers
Mr. Beckinrdge resuming-I did not seek desire to be
placed before the people for the office Of President by
returned to the State of Kentucky, in the spring
Of 1852 and was informed that some partial friends
presenting my name to the public in that connection,
and certain editor (whose presence here in this
Lae nOSLen PreSldenCy SAID 10 him.
trlend am not In any sense candidate for the Pres-
dency, and desired that my should be taken down
from the head of his columns. 1t was done.
very eminent citizen of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Mr Guthre was presented for that Office was gratifed
to see it, and as far my declarations concern
ed united cordially presenting him to the surages of
the American people at no time, in or out OF the
word which would bring my name in conflict with his Or
that of any other American citizen who DESIRED whose
friends desired for him. that position And you took the
trouble to read the proceedings of the Charleston Conyn
tion will remember that when received the vote of
aCf
declaring that would not allow it to come in opposition to
the gentlemen before the Convention.
When that Convention assembled at Baltimore, feel
ings and my conduct still unchanged After the dis
EuPtion which took place there, my name, without
cation my part presented a candidate. Preyi
Ously, not deemng such thing possible, said did not
to s ane f as bes DO a
by my State and country, and look forward with plea
Senate Of the United States for the next six years My
NAME however, was presented and felt that could not
refuse 20 accept the nomination under the circumstances
friends.
1t is said was regularly nominated and that an emf
nent citizen of Illinois regularly nominated for the Pres
idency, but that question have not time to discuss TO-
day and it has already been thoroughly exhibited and dis
lett of your delegates from this Congressional district
refer to the mastery and explanatory speech recently
delivered by my honorable friend in whose grounds
met can only say that the Convention which assembled
at the Front street Theatre at Baltimore devoid not
only of the spirit of Justice but of the forms of regularity
(Cheers The gentleman whom presented never received
the vote required by the rules OF the Democratic organza
ton.
Whole states excluded and DISTINGUISHED that
convention not to speak OF individuals the most farant
acts Of injustice perpetraed for the purpose of for
cling particular dogma upon the Democratic organization
and the gentleman who is the representative of that dogma
and principles which will be able to show repugnant
alike to and the Constitution Owing to the mpro
gates from your State withdrew from the Convention
declaring that not National Convention of the real
Democratic organization The entire delegation from the
fifteen Southern States and of California and Oregon with
large mnortes from other States making i'll whole in
part delegations from almost two thirds of the States of the
Confederacy, represented National Democratic Conven
iU md yCft Tho
But after ALL the great question is what are the prnc
pies (Which ought to themselves the American
people, at issue in this canvass? These will discuss be
together and answer number of personal accusations
of which emanaed in the State of Kentucky and 9th
strike down the Organization WITH which am connected
1t begets in almost feeling of humiliation to
of them but have imposed upon myself the task
will 60 through them all briefly as can. (Cheers)
voice" Go it john"
believe has been published in almost every Southern
newspaper of the Opposition party that signed petition
for the pardon OF John Brown the Hapers Ferry murderer
(Cries of good 1t has been extensively charged
circulated that in favor of the election of General
Taylor to the Presidency and opposed to the election OF
Cass and Butler This also, wholly untrue In the year
S there was meeting n IN e Gy OF IN
for the Presidency of the United States difference of
opinion existed at that time to the political sentiments
Of that distinguished gentleman ! was assured, upon
grounds satisfactory to me- that they conceded with my
afterwards went to Mexico and when returned,
twelve months afterwards in l848, found the campaign in
full blast with General Taylor the candidate OF the Wings,
and Cass and Butler as the nominees of the National De-
mocracy 1t well known to thousands of those within
took the stump Of the Democracy and maintained
its doctrines to the best omy right,
sentatves Of principles and judge of my zeal
of those gentlemen my old commander and my
at the election Lexington in l848 and that true but
with that fact has the explanation which my oppo
nents have never published, showing that it my nten
ton to be absent during the canvass but it was not in
tention to lose my vote.
all at nlea
anywhere in the State (beng before the revision and ado
ton of our present Constitution but it is so happened that
whom belonged to the Whg party and they proposed to
they would not Ii we had all voted there would have beer
six or seven votes cast for Taylor and only one cast for
and we went hunting. GanghterJ And if every had
done as well as we would have carried the State by
remember the names Of Pee Of nv
j. Redd Nelson Butler and George P. Jewett
the Southern States that emancipationist in
1s49, at least voted for emancpatons time
[Mr. B. read extract from letter from Hon. George
Robertson published in Southern paper having reference
to his position this question: and abiding to his private
affairs and commented on it at some length and with much
come to the fact that the only time knew of the CUES
ton OF emancipation being raised, was l849 when we
we're electng delegates to the Convention 10 form
Then Dr. BTeekinrde and Mr. Shy were
Mr. Wicklife and canvassed the cOun
to the best Of our abilities in opposition believing that
promoted by the continuance of their present relation At
the polls Dr. Breckenridge voted against me- and voted
aganst NM (chees) because we were representing oppo
site principles, and just so would be again, under similar
circumstances So much for that charge.
But have seen pamphlets published and circulated all
the Union for the purpose of proving that know
nothing in the State of Kentucky. Uaughter) have no
doubt that very considerable proportion of those listening
members of that order in that year,
is man among you who belonged to the order who
saw me in one of lodges who did not know that
then recognized of the most uncompromsng
opponents of that ordee him be good enough to say
now "a voice-He amt here0 believe / was the first
gentleman Congress who took position against the
ganizanon When returned home in the spring of 1885, it
vas making good progress this commonwealth, and al