Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-18
Dr. .Breckimridae,sS Speech Against
sez3la9f .szSas ReuuiOn

The Cincinnati Commercials PHILADELPHIA
correspondents thus reports Rev.sDr. r. j.
Breckinridge's speech against the reunion
of the Presbyterian churches in the Pres
bytefian National Union Convention at
Philadelphia. The motion before the House
was for a committee to report basis of
union between all the branches of the
Presbyterian family, for consideration and
adoption by them:
81 am decidedly opposed, sir, to this mo-
ton, or any effort of the kind that is, pro-
posing any basis for organic union between
these bodies.s l suppose the Old School
Presbyterian Church is the largest body of
Presbyterians In the world, and there are
sitting down here two or three off shoots
from as, the New School and the 'Cumber-
land people; but would be willing, and I
suppose all of our churches and our people
would be willing to let the United, Reform
ed (or whatever you call it) Church pre-
pare and give us basis tor union. provid-
ed only they will do it better than we could
ourselves.- Now i shall ask that brother
there referring to DIR. Eagleson] to with
draw his motion, though I know he won't
do it, for he's q Presbyterian [lsughter,] or
/ shall feel obliged to go on and make some
draw his motion 2? .s5 sae -f-sess'I1a j-S7l'Jif
eDr.sEagleson replied, through the chair
that the motion was already the property
of the house, and he could not, therefore,
take it again. e 81 ess = 31is5l--Ii' - s1gH
DR.. Breckinridge the proceeded. 1.-THE
chairman asked him to come to the plat
forin-he had been speaking from the mid
die aisle, at the side of which he had been
sitting-sndi he did So. climbing up with
some difficulty, and talking the while.]
He began anew when he reached the plat
form, stating his opposition to the proposal
of any plan for union. The most likely
union that can be looked for. sir,o he con-
- hofW oh nd fho
other branch, as they have got now to call
ing it; but sir. that union will never be
eonsummated Isensation1 for all they have
appointed a committee and SO ON. No, sir.
YOU will not sec that union If you live.r
Here Mr.. Stuart, whom he was addressing,
said, ,g"I hope / shall, SIR" '.Well, SIR" re-
piled the doctor. ~ hope YOU'LL live thou
sand years; but take my word for it, you'll
never see that reunion. Not but that re-
spect and love my brethren that are on
that committee-those OF the Old School. ]
mean--I don't know any thing about the
others, [laughterl but they won't accom-
plish that. Why, sir, there isn't appointed
on all that committee OF our Assembly,
single man who has any reputation what
ever for theological learning. $50
Several members rose to call the speaker
to order and the chairman. rapping the desk
with his gavel, reminded DR.. Breckinridge
that personalities could not be allowed
strain for a moment, when the chairman
again called him to order. The Doctor
turned somewhat wrathfully to the chair
man, and continued speaking. while Mr..
Stuart said: Il have as much respect for
Robert j. Breckinridge as any man has, but
cannot permit these remarks on brethren
known and respeeted.'s -
DIR. Breckinridge demanded to know
what was the name of the brother who had
called him to order. He did not mean to
offend the feelings of any one 1 am respon-
sible. said he, to God Almighty and to man
for what say, and I know what am say
ing; and If any one doesn't like what say,
he knows whexe I live. rGreat laughter
and sensation.J @
Further objection being made to the
spirit of the Doctors remarks, the chair
man again called him to order, whereupon
DIR. Breckinridge began to descend from
the platform, saying something about not
being allowed to speak. Many members
cried out to him to sGo on, and the chair
man most courte0asly begged him to re-.
main and finish his remarks; but the Doc
tor, stepping back again, said mo, sir,
will not goiOn--and If you proceed to force
this matter through, che curse OF God will
The remark was received with cries of
sShamei',z and not a few Kisses from all
parts of the house, quickly rebuked by the
chair who reminded the Doctor that he
shouldr remember that he was not in his
own church courts only, but in general
convention. "Well, sir, !" said Breckinridge,
Il know where amTTand this is the first
time ever saw layman constituted the
presiding officer of such body. 1t is con-
trary to all law and precedent" gH
With that the Doctor left the stand and
returned TO his seat, and, after some fur
ther discussinn. the motion to commit was
adopted, of which ] will write you in my
,o-t hooO fof, n1uch, crowded tn