The New York herald., 1869-03-12
JcHx c. BRECK.NRlDGE AT EoME.
His Reception on the ROad-Serenade and
Speech.

Speech.
Lexington, Ey. March 81, despatch to Cincinnati
Commercially
Mr. John c. BreckInridge comes back to Kentucky
q man OF commanding stature, with Q face that
women call handsome and men intellectual and
have seen in pictures Of him as Confederate
major general. His cheeks are square from the
almost norid: musiache and chopped goatee
Of mixed gray and sandy; forehead scanned
with lines OF thought and care and hair very gray
with much more OF gray than any OF us remember In
our recollection Of him. In his commanding per-
sonal appearance, his stature OF near six feet ne
fame. But in place Of the gray, gold and silver Of
his warlike days he wears . plain dark suit Of
civilians clothes, and In all his foreign experience
he has forgotten the cloak that Kentuckans love
In common with Spaniards.
General BreckInridge left Covington this after
noon TWO O'Clock with much privacy possible.
understand that Nj. Wash. Mclean, OF the Enquirer
accompanied him TO the train, after having been
his host In Cincinnati He had hoped TO avoid recog.
milton, In great measure and 70 this end word had
been given l0ut that he had already passed down.
that he had gone by the way Of Louisville All along
stations had been visited BY ANXIOUS and expectant
crowds for two days, all desirous OF catching q
glimpse OF the man who, as winchester lawyer
than any living man."
The General, in company with his WIFE occupied
between Cincinnan and Cynthiana those VINO
had waited and watched for him gathered
Ca"a ieW words ,"a s'' wsn nn tSeG cyntnisna aSs
nrst important stopping place, the crowd cheered
him and demanded his appearance on the rear
platform. Said one Of the observers, "God bless
him; he looks better than when we fought to-
gether.n Crowds made their way into the car
urbane, gentlemanly Breckinridge OF old but TO
oil he sald:-"Gentlemen, you must excuse me
Tor being quiet; am here by PERMISSION, aud Il
But he had kind word from the heart for many an
old acquaintance and more than once his eye nled
an old tunes forced themselves upon his mind. SAID
he 81 Rla1 back
asked II the Old scenes were familiar TO him, he
answered "Yes,n ana then dived with some personal
friends into many "reminiscences OF the past, and
many personal recolections OF old associations.
AT Paris the demonstration exceeded even IN ut at
Cynihisna- Despite the rain there was large crowd
on the platform and many calls for his appearance.
After shaking hands at the window he could not
resist the demands for his appearance on the plat
form, and put on his cloak and went out. There
was wonderful shaking OF hands and many words
sd h Vie on Of ns SoSne sna when
ask for him ! ask for all" Here, again, General
Breckinrdge assured them Of his desire for quiet,
as he was here on permission. He had many kindly
words OF greeting such n '.God bless you,r .'Gen.
eral, does the neart good TO see you,n "Young as
eve &C. Tne General replied snst ne was We'll
had grown gray. Colonel woodford, OF the Southern
Hotel met the General al Cynthana, ana introduced
many to him, among them an ohi0an, VINO said he
never saw the General but voted for him over there
conversation sprung up about the Cabinet. As
70 stewart General Breckinridge said:-"He thinks,
doubtless, he Will make good secretary, and 80 lie
may, he has head enough to acquire big fortune
for himself: but II was strange they never thought
himself for not being the first 10 find that
out" Tue General refused pressing in
yraMS r.as9n ,,o 70 stay "a, q, Paris and len .he
Lexington. AZ he neared Lexington this returned
exile peered out into the gathering ngn, catch
the familiar objects Of childhood days and recognized
many one as he sped onward, aud spoke Of them
10 friends who gathered around MIN. NEARLY eight
maIke Spcl behind. than " al
Al Lexington station the waiting crowd peered
into the cars. and when he appeared cheered three
cneers, modest as ever, simply shook hands aud
pushed his way 10 carriage with his WIFE, and with
cheers following him. drove 70 wlii Brecklnridge's
residence his home for time where all the evening
. crowd OF visitors and admirers congratulated
him. lie was reticent as TO politics, and his friends
did not speak much Of the past but welcomed him
as one simply returned home from long absence
one much loved and long expected. To reporters
he said he did not want publiciy-only quiet. A
serenade was arranged, but heavy rain prevented
up 70 ten O'Clock. Tue General had determined 10
simply return thanks,in Ten or fifteen words.
THE sEgEhADE oF GENERAL BREcKiNRIDGE, AND his
SPEECH.
Despite the rain serenad de took place nj halfpast
n eIys ,onlga preceded ey oonares and rockets.
oled IN nont OF the house, the band play.
ing and the people cheering for General
ing Home Sweet Home.n somebody called for
''liail 10 the Chief,r and the crowd demanded
"Dixiep The rain WAS falling In torrents then,
but there we're loud calls OF Down umbrelias,r - and
down wentumbrellas and up went cheers into the
ram n a ,nls pom, oenera neral BrecKlnrioge appeared
HIS remarks attracted close attention, and were
greeted at the close with rounds OF cheers. General
Breckinridge sad--
FELLOW CIrizESs--fn returning home after 80
long an absence would be very strange being "
my friends and neiahbors. feel IL deeply. and \
thank yU sincerely Recently have observed that
~ 10 very dinicult for persons In my situation
70 pursue that line OF conduct that they may
wish TO pursue. Nevertheless, II may be proper
10 say that accept tins informal but most cordial
welcome A. purely personal and containing no
particle OF political significance. "a voice-"Tnat's
,rifnf.'l Indeed. can and will say that the fremen-
oops events OF the last eight years have had great
ings: and for myself can truly declare that no
more feel the political exctements that marked the
sceDes 0f py former years than II were m extinct
volcano. will not now say more except to express
the pleasure That feel In coming back to the people