Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-05-28
Tic speech OF Hon. John {. C.lBrccklnrIds,

The announcement that Ex.F.ce President
Breckenridge you'll speak, dreS the greatest
crowd 10 the Courthouse that ever assembled
in tits city 10 hear a political address. Long
before the hour arrived, the City Hall, which
it is raid will accoinm oda,e four thousand per-
svns, Vas dsnse!y packed, and thousands could
7Gt End standing room. That oil might hear
The gifted Kcn:uckiu iun, il WAS determined that
hr would spesl; from the steps Of Tie Court.
iouse, where, for nearly Two hours, he held
;:,c vast crowd cnchained by his powerful ar
gumeEt.
sir. Breckenridge discussed the issues now
before the country Us patriot and statesman.
lie cid not seek to !:t!.rae tho passions Of men
Dr that HondrlfGl cirGucncc oI which lie is
the mpietu uasler, but rather appealed to
their reason abi patriotism By argument
fIe declared his purpose Ct following The for
yunes OF his State which had so often honored
him with places of honor and trust. Bat above
a. lie poiu:cd out that Kentucky should be
rnitsd. whatever position she might assume.
He showed that il Kentucky remained in tho
Federal Union, although she might desire to
be neutral, that she would have 20 furnish mil.
lions of dollars per year 10 aid Lincoln in sub.
iugating the Southern people, 20 whom wo are
allied l5} 'intrreSf and 5y Blood. Certainly
Kentucky had done right in refusing 10 send a
soldier in response to Lincoln's call, and it was
now necessary to decide whether she would pay
tribute to S1staia Llnc9ln in 4 rnad and an un-
holy war.
He favored al1ning the S:ste in all events
He did not believe that 4 state nt arrucd ncu-
trality could long exist Kentucky was ol-
ready in arnle o! rebellion. Gov. Magofin's
action in refusing tn call oat troops was en-
dorsed BY the people, and he believed it was
universally applauded by kentuckians. The
idea advanced in tie late meeting here that
Kentucky vas going 10 fight neither for Lin
coin nor the South, but fer the Union, was RI
diculous. Our proud cla Commonwealth uust
play manly part, as she has ever done. In
his judgment the whou fifteen slave States
ought tY unite, and this might save us from
the horrors Of civil war. But if nothing would
restrain Mr.. Lincoln from his reckless purpose.
ne had no fear Of the result. Thirteen mil
lions Of people could not be su'jlga.ed. They
might be ex:es st:i:natet!-but conquered, never,
never.
He begged that all party differences and
rancor be iorcot,ro in the midst Of these dis
fractions. Mt!cdictions bad been poured upon
his devoted head, arl uajustly; but he had no
further rems mbranca OF them. Our safety
aud security required one sentiment, one &C
;ior; let there be no divisions in our councils.
lie thought Kentucky ought to call con
rentiof, before the fourth of July, a. which
time Mr.. Lincoln would convene his Congress,
tIIat her penple may determine her future ac-
ion. He dcplored civil strife, but it was ne
ccssary that we should be prepared for any
emergency, and therefore the State ought to
be armed Intestine war vas fearful; but war
does exist, and we had to look the dangers
Dra7ely in the face. If We had TO fight We
would fight for liberty and honor
Mr.. Breckenridge wps frequently interrupt.
ed with rounds Of applause, and his specca
created decided sensa tiou.- Louisville Cou-
sten