The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-08-15
CADlz OHIO, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST Is, 1860

Continuance ofa mail service Of great important
to Kentucky, the removal of restrictions upo
the purchase of an American cemetery near II
city of Mexico, where the remains Of our ga
liant soldiers were gathered under the protection
Of their country's flag, were, among others, OF
jects to which he gave his exertions, and in a
of which he was successful, excep in the case {
removing restrictions upon the location of mill
tary land warrants. -E
As an evidence Of his great judgment an,
capacity in conducting measures through tn
House, we will refer to the deficiency bill O
1853. 1t had been rejected by the House, anc
recommitted to the Ways and Means. Th
committee reported back the same bill, and en-
trusted Mr.. Breckenridge with its management
in the House. 1t was vigorously resisted. Tn,
discussion lasted several weeks. Mr.. Breckin
ridge was always at his post, answering objec
tions, explaining doubtful points, interposing tt
cut off lndiscreet speeches from friends, turniu;
off the hostility Of opponents by kindly wort
and finally, with scarcely the loss of a singh
item, carried the bill through by vote OF lbs
to Ill. In the course of the debate, Mr.. Breck.
inridge said: ~ am perfectly aware, Mr.. Chair
man, Of the responsibility which have person
ally incurred in attempting to conduct this bill
through the committee, [of the Whole, and
that it would be impossible having the bill in
charge, to engage in irrelevant and heated dis.
cussons."
Upon the advent of the Know Nothing par
ty Mr.. Breckenridge was the first to take the
stump in Kentucky to attack it. There he laid
down the broad proposition that all men, citi.
zens by our laws, were equal, and that any dis.
tinction made on account OF birth or creed was
at war with the principles of our government,
and tended to overthrow the liberties of our
country; and in Congress he made the first
speech upon the subject, in which, standing up
on this proposition, he exposed in most mas
terly manner the allacy and destructive ten
denotes of its creed, as at war with the social
relations of life, and fatal blow aimed at civil
and religious liberty.
In debate on bill reported by Mr.. Went
worth, of Massachusetts, on the Sd March,
1855, to prevent the importation of certain
classes of foreigners to this country, after an
able exposition Of its absurdity and injustice,
Mr., Breckenridge said:
II do not propose to enlarge on this subject.
| regard this bill as one Of the fruits ofthe pro-
scriptive feeling which is just now pervading
this country, | know it is popular, and
know it is sweeping like hurricane from one
end Of the country to the other; but it is in
conflict with the fundamental principles of our
system Of Government, and am willing to op-
pose my hand to it, and await the time when
there shall be a reaction in the public senti-
ment, as l know there will be. want the gen
tlemen of this House to know that, ifthey vote
for this bill, they draw distinction between
the poor and the rich, and allow only the latter
class to come, nor can they come except with
a pass in their hands, like a negro going from
one plantation to another"
The reaction in public sentiment, which Breck-
nridge's sagacity ioresaw, quickly came, when
Know Nothingism vanished before the light Of
investigation like the mists of the morning be-
ore the rising sun.
In general debate Mr. Breckenridge discuss
ID, in a philosophical and elaborate manner,
'ome OF the greatest questions fthe day, and
himselfby his hand -to-hand en-
counters with the most experienced gladiators
If the House. Thus, in the discussion between
lin and Mr.. II Marshall, the real issue was
10 directly and vigorously thrust back by the
ormer, that notwithstanding Mr.. Mar
haPs great logical acumen and fertility of re-
source, the equilibrium of the contest was full.
y restored. MIR. Breckenridge, in an encoun-
er with Mr.. Giddings, so pressed him that the
after fiercely denied the power Of the federal
government to enact fugitive slave law, or to
mploy the fsrce of the country to enforce it
aut he particularly signalized his fidelity to his
riends AMI principles by his defence of the gal
ant soldier of Kentucky, General William 0.
3ntler and of long array of able and expert
need statesmen, attacked in the January and
February numbers of the Democratic Review,
1852. The name Of General Butler had been
TO the Democracy of Kentucky as
'ominee for the Presidency. Fraucis P. Blair
lavng in this event sgnifed his intention to
'ote for him, General Butler was falsely char
,ed with being infected with free soil sentiments
nd indeed having formed coalition with the
Free-Soilers. These charges were repeated and
;rossly exaggerated in the February number of
he Democratic Review. An incidental alIu-
ion having been made on the floor of the
House to the slander against General Butler, Mr..
Breckenridge, on the 3D. March, 1852, rose in
lis vindication, and that of the other states
men villified and slandercd in the Democratic
review. The letter Of General Butler on the
ubject, which was endorsed by Mr.. Breckin-
idge, and which the latter read to the House,
vas so sound and national in Its enunciation Of
institutional rights and principles as to forev-
r put to rest the infamous SANDER uttered A.
ainst him. Taking the sentiments of this let
or in regard to the Territorial question, which
vere endorsed and defended by Mr.. Breckin.
idge in connection with the several speeches
f the latter, and especially his speech in the
Iouse Of Representatives ON the 23d OF March,
s54, on the Kansas Nebraska Bill, it will be
'uud thut the question of the equal right ofthe
everal States to participate in the enjoyment
I the Territories is placed on the precise
rounds Of the platform adopted in June last
y the National Democratic party which put
fr. Breckenridge in nomination. r. Hm@ 3eI
AT the risk Of subjccting ourselves to the inn
utation OF presenting this question out OF rep