The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-09-07
The Presidential Canvass.
Great Speech of Mr.. Breckenridge at
Lexington, KY.

ulhl you. nave extended to me-. The GCum-
stances under which appear before you novel and
unusual do in obedience the request of friends
whose intelligence have been accustomed observe
And if it be an uncommon thing for person in my
position to address assemblies of people, only say
that hope to discuss topics which in manner not
altogether unworthy the attitude which I occunv
shan certainly indulge in language which, in my
opinion will fall below the dignity of political discus
sion. The condition of my health and my position,
make it Impossible for me to extend my voice this
vast assembly; but trust will become stronger as
proceed
have been asked ellow-citizens to Speak at my own
home, because !, and the political organization with
which am connected have been aSsailed in an
manner, and charged with treason to my own country
appear before to-day for the purpose of rcpellng
certain accusations which have been made against
personally and ndustrously circulated through other
States of the Union show that the principles
upon which stand the principles of both the Cons
tuition and the Union of country Great applause
And surely if anv time the justification could be found
by any for addressing the people in the position
which occupJ, it will be found in my case.
Anonymous writer's and wandering orators have
chosen to tell the people that !, individually. am dis.
unisnst and a traitor to my country; and they declare
with assurance, that have exhibited a treason that
makes, by comparison with it, Burr a patriot and the
memory of Arnold respectable!
But fellow citizens, before come those topics de
sire 10 make and prove comprehensive statement in
regard 10 my position in connection with the Presidency
ofthe United States have been charged with intriguing
for this nomination. have been charged with leap
ing before wishes of the people and desiring to thrt
myself before them for the highest office in their gift
TO that answer that it is wholly untrue. l have
written to nobody soliciting support. have converel
nobody have promised nobody. To these statements
! challenge contradiction from any human being
tCheers.)
Mr.. Breckenridge, resuming-I did not seek desire
to be placed before the people for the Office of President
by any Convention, or any part of any Convention
When returned to the State Kentucky in the Spring
OF 1889, and was informed that partial friends
presenting name to the public in that connection and
certain editor Whose presence here) in this state
had hosted my name for the Presidency said to him
friend, am not in any sense candidate for the Pres
dency'' and desired that my name should be taken
down from the head of his columns. Ii done.
very eminent citizen Of the Commonwealth of Ken
lucky Mr. Guthrel was presented for that office was
gratifed to it, and far my declarations
concerned, united cordially in presenting him for the
suirages of the American people, though at time in
or out of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, did do
utter word which would bring my name in conflict
with his that of any other American citizen who desired
or whose friends desired for him, that position And if
took the trouble to read the proceedings of the Charles
ton Convention, you will remember that when received
the vote of Arkansas one of friends and with
drew my name, declaring that would not allow it to
come in opposition to the gentlemen before the Conven-
ton.
When that Convention assembled at Baltimore, my
feelings and conduct still unchanged. After the
disruption which took place there name. without any
my part was presented as candidate
Previously, not deemng such thing possible, l said
did not desire to be presented to the American people
but content with tine honors which have been heap
ed upon me by my State and my country, and look
forward with pleasure TO the prospects have of serving
country in the Senate of the United States for
next six years. My name however presented, and
felt that could not refuse to accept the nomination
under the circumstances without abandoning vital prn-
clples and betraylng friends.
1t is said / regularly nominated, and that an
eminent citizen of Illinois was regularly nominated for
the Presidency but that is question have not time
to discuss to-day and it has already been thoroug
exhibited and discoursed upon before the people
fer you to the bold letter of your delegates this
Congressional district refer YOU to the mastery and
cXplanatve speech recently delivered by my honorable
friend in whose grounds met / only say
that the Convention which assembled at the Front
Theatre at Baltimore devoid not only of the spirit
of justice, but OF the forms of regularity. (Cheers)-
The gentleman whom it presented never received vote
required by the rules OF the Democratic organization
Whole States excluded and dsfranchised in that
Convention not to speak of dividualS the fragrant
acts ofnustce pepetraed for the purpose forcing
particular dogma upon the Democratic organization and
the gentleman who is the representative of that dogma
and principles, which will be able to show repug-
nant alike to and the Constitution Owing 10
the improperly of those proceedings decided majority
of the delegates from your State Withdrew the
Convention declaring that it National Conven-
ton of the real Democratic organization. The entire
delegation from the fifteen Southern States, and of Cali
fornia and Oregon, with large mnorities others
States, making in whole or in part delegations from al
most thirds of the States of the Confederacy repre-
scented National Democratic Convention depen ding
upon the authority and LOYALTY of the Democratic party
But after ALL the great question is what the prn-
cipes (which ought to commend themselves to the Anne
rican peope) at issue in this canvass? These will dis
before DONE but before proceed further will
group together and number of personal
tons, some of which emanated in the State Kentucky
and others elsewhere, by which, through me, it is at
tempted to strike down the organization with which
connected. 1t begets in almost feeling humia-
ton to answer some of them but have imposed upon
can. Cheers
voice-"Go it, john
believe it has been published in almost every South
ern newspaper of the Opposition party that signed pc
ton for the pardon of John Brown the HarperS Ferry
for that Cres Of good Il sa Th belly untrue So much
ed and circulated that favor of the esctio Z,
General Taylor to the Presidency opposed to the ele
ton of Cass and Butler This also is wholly untrue In
the year l87 there meeting in the city of Licking
ton, in which participated, in which Gen Taylor
recommended for the Presidency of the United States
difference of opinion existed that time political
sentiments of that distinguished gentleman was as
sured upon grounds satisfactory me, they coincd
ed with my political opinions and united in the
meeting. Pretty soon afterwards went to Mexico. and
when | returned twelve months afterwards in 1913 |
found the campaign in full blast with General Taylor the
candidate OF the Wings and Cass and Butler the nomi-
nees OF the National Democracy.
1t is well known TO thousands of those within the
sound of 10Y voice that as as returned home,
took the stump in behalf Of the Democracy and main
tanned its doctrines to the best of my abilities
AL right and was not afraid to do it, because they
We're the representatives of my principles and you
Judge of my Zeal as of those gentlemen my old
commander and my friend 1t was said that was not
present. and did not vote at the election in Lexington, in
1913 and that true but with that fact has gone the
PLANTATION, which my opponents have never published
showing that my intention to be absent during the
canvass but it was not my intention to lose my vote.
You all know that, at times, citizen, could
vote anywhere in the State (beng before the revision
and adoption of our present CONSTITUTIONAL but it hap
pened that there were six or eight gentlemen accom-
panyng me, all of whom belonged to the Wing party
and they proposed to me if would not return to my
town and vote, they would not If we had nj
ed there would have been
Ia yor, and only one for Cass and Butler Cheers
! accepted the proposition and went hunting
uaughter.) And if Every man had done well my
SELF would have carried the State by forty thousand
majority. tApplause) Among those with me remem
her the names OF three of my frieudS-Thomas J. Retd
Nelson Butler and George p. Jewett.
Another charge has been extensively circulated through
out the Southern States, that emancipationst in
1919, or at least voted for emancpaonist some
time.
Mr. Is. read an extract from letter from Hon George
Robertson, published in Southern paper, having
ence to his position this question: abiding to his
with much severity
come to the fact that the only time knew of tho
question OF emancipation being raised in 1919 wher
we were electing delegates to the Convention to form
new Constitution. Then DR. Breckenridge and Mr. Sh,
were emancipationists. Mr.. WckTe and canvasset
the county TO the best of abilities, in opposition t,
emancipation believing that the interests of both race
in the Commonwealth would be promoted by the confirm
ance of their present relation. At polls Dr. Breckin
ridge voted against and ted against him (cheers
because we We're representing opposite principles and
Just SO would 1t be again. under similar circumstances
So much for that charge.
But have seen pamphlets published and circulated al
over the Union for the purpose of proving was
Know Nothing in the State of Kentucky LaughterI
have no doubt that very considerable proportion o.
those listening to me were members of that order in thai
year, ana II there is man among you who belonged
the order, who in one of your lodges who
dd not know that was recognized of the
compromising opponents OF that orer-et him be good
enough to say now. "a voice. He amt herel be
heve was the first gentleman in Congress who took
position against the organization When retnpnaJ
home in the spring OF 1850 making great
IN TINS commonwealth, and although | had Withdrawn
from public life to attend to my private affairs opposed
it in repeated speeches all over kentucky
This statement may not he very acceptable to some
gentlemen within the sound of nv voice but do not
want to deceive any L stand upon my principles
and am willing to view them without the slightest
gard to consequences. represented to this day as
having said that would make difference between one
OF my religious belief, and another and that he
tween an unnaturalized ard naturazed citizen would
make political difference never uttered such senti
ment. tGreat applause)
The underlying prime ple with was this that the
condition OF citizenship being obtained no question
either of birth religion, should be allowed to commin
gle with political considerations. (Appause l deem
only necessary to make these statements succnct
ly and pass because speaking to assembled thou
sands who know this Injustice.
But fellow citizens to to extended topics il
has been asserted that and the political organization
with which am connected have abandoned the ground
which stood in regard the territorial question
in 1854 and 56-that then occupied position which
now occupied by the friends and supporters of Mr.
Douglas, and by that eminent gentleman himself de-
ny It, and shall now proceed prove denial both
as to myself and as to the party therein involved.
There was body to whom could refer the question:
ana we IA ns r d ss saeh
by the said body. believe that my speeches in
this connection prepared by except by the
notes Never single report Of these speeches
revised by written in full The reports of them
those which various persons chose to make have
been amused to various portions of what they call the
Tppecanoe speech and the divers reports the report
which they chose to make for the different papers
different times.
have in my hands report which reads as follows in
reference the Territorial questionThe people the
Territories under the Kansas Nebraska have the full
right to abolish prohibit slaverywhich principle is as
old as the Republican Government itself.n
Not only did never utter such sentiment but have
no reason to believe that anybody thought ~
tered it. had seen it in any newspaper anywhere
but have time to waste in upon the pro-
priey ecacy of gentleman who is before the
try for the Office oPresdent in introducing the name
who is also candidate with me, and giving his per
A. M