Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-07-14
a. Ancnnnoaa,lnr cansiiats.

Under this caption the Columbus Enquirer remarks
THAT the Hon John c. Breekinrdge the seceders candi
date for the Presidency appears to have the happy facu
ty Of adapting himself to any circumstances by which he
NAV be surrounded In 1856, he upon the Cinein-
matt Platform, which he heartily endorsed aud defended
In 1850 he is the candidate Of faction who disrupted
the Democratic party and seeded at Charleston because
re affirmed the Cincinnati Platform pure and simple!
The ladder BY which Mr. Breckenridge assembled to the
Vice Presidency in 1856, be CONTEMPORARY kicks from
under bin in 1860 when he apes to the higher position
Of the Presidency No one of course is verdant enough
to believe that Mr.. Breckinrdge nov spurns what be
Rugged his bosom in 1885, from any real detestation
of its inquity any present conviction that his step
piDg-stoue to power in 1856 "vile means" which
he cannot honoraby any longer; but il is apparent
that be left the whole matter to the only parties that
would then take him for the Vice Presidency and now
for the Presidency and accepted in both instances the
directly antagonisc platforms which they required him
to ascend.
1t is averred in behalf of some Southern politicians,
that they did not in 1856 construe the Cincinnati Plat
form sustaining squatter sovereignty but that now,
having become convinced that it upheld that heresy,
they repudiAte and renounce it, This Claim however,
1885, in the most positive manner, that he understood
it as demanding for the people Of he Territories the
right to admit exclude slavery while in their Terrific
rial condition. Here is what he said:
- happened to be in Congress when the Nebraska
bill passed. aud gave it my voice and vote, and because
il did what il did viz IL acknowledged the right Of The
People Of the Territory 10 settle the question for them
selves and not because supposed, what do not now
believe that legisated slavery into the Territory The
Democratic party is not pro-slavery party"
THE people Of the Territories, under the Kansas-Ne-
braska act have the full right to establish prohibit
slavery Just as State would. which principle is old
as republican government itseEn-J. G. BREcKSRIDGE.
This was the doctrine Of his party in 1886, and Mr..
Breckenridge took an active part in teaching to the
people But il appears that in the last year be gave in
bis adhesion the opposite doctrine, and denied to the
Sauattes the power which be trenuousy claimed for
them in 1886 This is only cumulative proof ofhs accom-
modarg disposition and shows that be only adapt
log himself TO surrounding eircumsiances-ast as he
would do if he should be elected President The extract
from his speech Of December 1852 before the Kentucky
Legislature which the Democratic papers pub
shug 70 prove that he is opposed to Squatter Sove-
regnty was made Just after his election to the Senate,
for which Office he was opposed chiefly by the Douglas
Democrats Of the Legislature who did not like his
necon with the Buchanan Administration. He accept
ed as usual with him, the platform of the faction whose
candidate he was aud he stands before the country
the advocate Of squatter sovereignty in 1885, and its
pudiator in 1850. How be will "turn up under the
next change Of circumstances is question about as in
teresing as the rising place of a dipchip.