The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-29
LETTER FROM HON. JOHN G. BRECK-
INRIDGE. .-.-t

LETTER FROM HON. JOHN y. BhECh-
INRIDGE. z-.~.rf
The first copy of the Louisville Courier, publish
ed at Bowling Green, Lentucky, contains lengthy
and able letter from Hon. John G. Breckinridge.
After reviewing the action of the Kentucky Leg
isature, and giving general glance at the despo-
tic proceedings of the Lincoln Government, from
its inception to the present time, he concludes as
follows.
81 would speak of these things with the simple
solemnity which their magnitude demands, yet it
is difficult to restrain the expression Of just in
dignation while we smart under such enormties.
Mr. Lincoln has thousands of soldiers on our SOIL
nearly all from the North, and most of them for
eigners whom he employs as his instruments to do
these things. But few Kentuckans have enlist
ed under his standard, for we are not yet accus-
toned to his peculiar form of liberty.
/ will not pursue the dis graceful subject. Has
Kentucky passed out of the control of her own
people? Shall hrelngs of the pen, recently i'm
ported from the North, sitting in grand security
at the Capital, force public opinion TO approve
these usurpations, and point out victims? Shall
Mr. Lincoln, through his German mercenaries, i'm
prison or exile the children Of the men who laid
the foundations of this Commonwealth, and COM
pei the people to exhaust themselves in furnish
ing the money to destroy their own freedomY
Never, while Kentucky remains the Kentucky Of
old-never, while thousands of her gallant sons
have the will and the nerve to make the State
sing to the music of their rifles! The Constitu-
ton ofthe United States, which these invaders
unconstitutolally swear every citizen whom they
uncorstitutonally seize, to support has been Who'll
y abolished. 1t is as much forgotten if it lay
away back in the twilight of history. The facts
have enumerated show that the very rights
most carefully reserved by it to States and to in
dividuals, have been most conspiciously violated
bpnn mi sha not
by the President alone, but by the Congress also,
and with the approval of the Northern States and
people. They have deliberately made the contest
constitutional struggle between so many millions
on one side and so many on the other-one party
fighting for subjugation the other in self defence
and independence. Whatever may be the future
relations Of the two Confederaces the idea of a
restoration of the Union under the old Constitu-
ton is wholly visionary and delusive Ifthe North
should conquer the South (Which it will perceive
to be impossible after few hundred millions
more shall be expended and few hundred thou
sand lives St. (the character of the Government
would be radically changed 1t would probably
not take the form even of mixed Government,
bat would soon end in military despotism. 1t
must soon become apparent to all thoughtful men
that the last hope of constitutional liberty lies in
the early recognition Of these great truths-in an
honorable peace and friendly intercourse
L ou uCclareu your purposes not 10 engage IN
the war to subdue the South, and that you would
be neutral and mediate in the interests of peace
when an opportunity should offer. This is the re-
corded will Of the State expressed By the peo-
pie. But those who assume to represent you
have violated that will. They have attempted to
burden you with enormous taxes to prosecute a
war you abhor, and to sustain government which
has trampled under foot every safeguard of Con-
stitution which was the only bond of your politi-
I n
that Government to cut you off from the only av-
enucs of trade which would enable you to pay
these taxes. They have invited military force
OF that Government to take possession Of the State
al d practically supersede the State Government,
and they have seen, with cOmplacency, these for
eign soldiers seize, imprison, and pursue hundreds
of your fellow w-ctizens-fugitves, without a crime
over the plains and mountains of Kentucky
In a word, they have attempted, without consult
ing you, and against your recorded wishes to
place you in active hostility to your Southern
brethren, and to fix your political destiny with
the North.
For those who, denied by the Legislature the
protection due to the humbest citizen, have
been delivered over to the tender merces Of for
egn nercenaries, and hunted like 2artridges on
the mountains, what remains but Imprisonment
exile resistance? AS one of them, | intend to
resist. | will avoid conflict with Kentuckians,
except I'D necessary sell QcIcnce; put VIII unite
with my fellow-citizcns to resist the INVADERS who
have driven US from our homes TO this course
we impclled by the highest sense Of duty and
the irresistible instincts Of manhood. To defend
your birthright and mine, which is more precious
than domestic case, or property, or life, ex-
change, with proud satisfaction, a term Of six
years in the Senate of the United States for the
nusket Of a soldier.
This letter is written at the first moment since
my expulsion from home that could place my feet
upon the sod of Kentucky. | have not been able
to see or communicate with my friend and collea-
que, Gov Powell, nor do | know what course
he will think it proper to take. But this you
and Iknow-that his conduct will be controlled
by pure motives. Your fellow-citizen,
JOHN G. BRECKINRIDGE.
Bor7ing Green, Ky, Oct. 8, 1861. a
In this address, Mr Breckenridge returns to
the people of Kentucky the commission Of Sena-
tor in the Congress of the United States, with
which they had honored him. He does not cen
sure the Kentucky Legislature as the cause OF
any of the evils to the State which have arisen
indirectly through the medium of that body They
are not, he says, free.
DISHONEST SPEcULATIoN.-The practice Of
buying up articles of prime Importance, such as
WOODEN goods, provisions, coffee, sugar, salt,
medicines &c. &C., for the purpose of selling again
at immensely enhanced prices, has, ws observe,
called forth energetic remonstrances from the
highest authorities in many of our States. The
Il n