New-York daily tribune., 1861-11-02
THE TRAITOR JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE


We have leard that John Z. Breckenridge has
pub isbed manifesto to the PEOPLE OF Kentucky,
dated Ut Bowling Green the reel headquarters,
but we have been unable to get sigtt OF 1t. me
81. Louis Republican appears To have been more
fortunate, and giyes US some intight INTO lse con-
ten,s. Mr. Brecki ridge says IL is written at the
first moment since bis expulsion from home, that be
could place Lis feet on the soil Of Kentucky. Tbs
/. a most inpudent perversioD Of the truth, for he
never was expelled from home; ne left Lexington
mpeed by his guilty fears of arre-t, and bis retreat
was lighted by the burning self onscionsI ess OF his
Tobias comedy is compelled to lay aside the bor-
wed robes Of authority be does with constrained
grace " ns \ well-bred dog walks down stairs when
he sees preparations making for kicking him down,
and In the same spirit Breckinridge resigns his seat
A. a member of the Senate of the United States, say
ing. 81 exchange with proud satisfaction term OF
,lx wears in the United States Senate for the musket
Of a soldier" This is the bluster OF the Ancient
pisto tor we all know that the service Of the Ex-
Senator if he serves at all, will be IN some honorary
position, with sword and Oh charger. Our 81.
.ouis cotemponry say the address would MI TWO
of ia columns, and is made up OF miHeprei enta-
tioDs, BieckinridQe says there ia no longer Sen.
ate OF the United States within the meaning and
o,,;r;t of the COnsiituiion-" the United States
no longer exists-the Union Is dirsolved. But
Kentucky is .till one OF the United States;
hs deceived and betrayed constituents are still loyal
,ley recognize proudly the existence Of the Govern
ment Of their fathers and they deny that the Union
IL nissol,ed By wha, argument can MIR. Breckin-
ridye a.,ert that the Union Is dissolved now more
,han il Was In August last, or that the existence OF
be United States has sssp rsued bs seas Ss -
Esnstor OF the United States from the State OF hen
,rnlv and drew his pay from the Federal treasury
sor 6;. servicesi II Mr.. Breckinidge believed,
wben he took the Governments gold that the United
States no longer existed, and that the Union was
lar nf onAo
sw;nalor He knows that biz cour.e is indefensibls;
he IL sslfconvicted Of the vilest treschsry to the
state which has hopored him; and, being unwilling
to face the indignant people Of kentucky, he has
sutaked away iron their presence, and, surrounded
by cuthrosts and thieves ncsnoiaries and feons a
body guard, has i.sued bis mpudent manifesto.
We do not care particularly abont seeing the text
of tLis last dying speech and confession of John c.
Brecliuijdge. We know that lie cannot justify bis
conduct but that be has the insdous talent TO con.
ceal bis real purposes beneath gtteriDg sentences
and hoLeysd woids. The RePabisoon calls them
frivolous and uniustfable excuse. for had act"
But the trial and condemnation Of Mr.. Breckenridge
were held snd pronounced before the uiy OF popular
opinion nonthB and months ago. While he was
holding the second Office in the gift OF this people,
and presidipg over the Senate oi We uniled states
while he was aftersaid q candidate for the Presi-
dency, aud while he was exercising the duties OF a
United States Senator, be poting TO betray Bis
country aud vss in league with the infamous traitors
who consrired 10 break up the Government. Of all
the rersons engaged in this nefarious work, be
achieved the lowest depth Of degradaiou, for he al
lowed himsslf 10 be used as g fourth candidate to
distract aud divide the vote Of the country, with the
fnll confidence that it would lead 10 the election Of
Mr. Lincoln, aud thus present 70 the Southern NAL
contents pre,ext for their scts Of Secesiop. While
tLoee who were his fellows IN this trescbery left
their sssIs In Coner, s. be remained there and gave
aid to them in oppo,ing every appropriation Of men
and mesns 10 resst tho REBELLION, although Il was
meuscioR within i've or six miles, the very Fede-
raj Capital where be was sitting. No man is more
deeply and terribly responsible for the blood and
piiispe and erims and horror Of the last six
months. Ho kDows it too; he knows that he il AS
guilty AS Cain after the first fratrcide, and be flies
from The vengeance that awaits him. He Is refugee
from his native State, with The brand upon bis brow
snd the gnswing vulturc Of remone st his heart
His fate will be that of q traitor:
" In the iost battle,
home down BY the hyina
WHERE ming 90 wa's rattle
With grosns OF the dyine.
There shall he be lyieg."
Monster Of perfdy, ingrtie and dend, bis name
will be eternally linked with those Of Judas and Of
Arnold, and, when history seeks 10 recount the
deeds of hoss who have entitled themselves
70 the exscra,ion Of mankind that name will be
foremost in the scroll which was borne BY one who
in tho very spirit OF the archdemou thought IL bet
Ter 70 reign in hell than serve in heaven"