The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-07-25
Patriotic Speech of Mr. Breckenridge
in Baltimore.

! Inc DeHOcratIc candidate i0f the Presidency
was in Baltimore Friday evening" arriving
| without previous announcement at Barnum's
Hotel, where, however, he was soon visited
by large number of friends, whom he cor
daily received. Contrary to the wishes OF
Mr.. Breckinridge says the Baltimore "Sun,''
| he was serenaded and called on to make his
appearance before large and enthusiastic as
sembIage. The American gives the following
report of his brief remarks:
| FELLOW CITIZENS Il beg leave to render
| you my grateful acknowledgements for the
cordial reception which have met with in
! your beautiful city. This, however, is not
| the first time that have wandered over its
suburbs many years ago. Twenty years since
visited it, and l only hope that it may con-
tinue to increase in prosperity, [applause] and
meet your largest expectations.
Without entering into our political history,
| it becomes US to consider how our institutions
can be best preserved The State of Mary
land is border State, and to your citizens it
is matter Of moment as to the welfare and
prosperity -four common country. Applause
l know full well that you are always anxious
to support the Union, and viii do so at hazards.
Applause.
1t becomes US. my fellow citizens, to pay
strict fidelity to the Constitution and the I'm
ion; it is the only guarantee that we have for
a perpetuation of the unity of these States.
and it is the surest guarantee of peace and
happiness for our entire land. Loud applause
If at any time we throw away the princi-
pies of the Constitution, the only safeguard
of our liberties, the only source of national
happiness, we merely drift away from the.very
foundation Of our Government, and effect a
radical change in the very Constitution itself.
This is not to be desired, and should be aver
ted by every true patriot of our land This,
| am sure, will be done by the lovers of the
Constitution and Union. Loud applause.1
The Constitution, as formed by our fathers,
we have all lived happily under, and may we
not say the form of government suited to the
fathers is certainly suited to the children p
Let us keep the form of our fathers. If it was
good enough for them, it is certainly good
enough for us.
The Constitution is good enough for u.s.
The rights there laid down meet our approval.
Among the few things that are not assailed
stand the rights Of conscience, and if they
were, l know that if they were, such rights
would need no defenders on the soil of Mary
land, a State which has been distinguished for
its union and patriotic sentiments. Loud Ap-
plause.l
But, my friends the Constitution has been
asSailed, and it becomes us to defend it. ZAP
plause. There is a point which, if not as
clearly defined as it might be, is still para
mount. tbs the equality of the States. Ap-
plause. They were equal before they formed
the solemn compact of union. That is invio-
liable, and the Constitution points out clearly
the protection of persons and property.
And | tell you, now, that if the principles
of the Constitution are violated, it can only
result in change Of this Government
change much to be deplored, and the end of
which can only result in inevitable ruin.
But, fellow citizens, the equality of the
States is the leading principle to be established
and we must maintain it, and if we adhere
to this principle there can only be happy
and peaceful termination to the present sec
tional differences. [APplause.
My friends, allow Inc to wish that your
great and prosperous city may continue
in its present course of prosperity. That the
Union of the States may be preserved, and let
afG ta9as may nhd ong b tie b
prosper -fprtzuses -
In conclusion, permit me to again tender
you my grateful Acknowledgements for the
kind reception with which have been greeted, |
and although M remarks may have been |
somewhat inappropriate, could not refrain
from expressing my views thus briefly to my |
fellow-citizens Of this great and prosperous |
city. Applause.
AT the conclusion of the remarks of Mr.. |
breckenridge he was greeted with loud ap-
plause, and was repeatedly called on to again
address the crowd, who remained about the
hotel until a late hour.