Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-29
DID NOT UNDERSTAND.
Mr. Breckenridge Has His Libel Suit Re-
called to His Attention
Sharp Passage I'm the House Between
Kentucky and Indiana-The Rise
and Fall of Parties.

Representative Breckenridge OF Kentucky
made his first appearance yesterday in the
debates of the House since he has figured
so prominently in the gaze of the public
1t was not generally known that he was to
speak upon the federal election bill, and
there was not the large audience present
which assembled a few weeks ago upon the
announcement that he was to speak upon
the silver bill. and which waited a whole
day only to be disappointed at his nom
appearance. Mr.. Breckinridges speech was
prefaced by a little incident which was
rather unpleasant. and which caused a
ripple Of comment through the galleries
Mr.. johnson of Indiana had preceded him.
and in his closing remarks had taunted Mr.
Breckenridge with interrupting his speech.
Il do not know. Mr.. Speaker" said MI.
Breckenridge, that / caught the last re-
mark Of the gentleman from Indiana Cdr.
Johnson). but IL did ii was a complaint
at an interruption by me. And there was
a request that by the courtesy of the House
he might be permitted to extend his re-
marks to an unlimited degree. That cour-
tesy was granted by myself as cordially as
by others. And when / interrupted him
simply to ascertain how long he desired to
speak, SO that / might know when i should
be expected to take the floor, the gentleman
answered with that scant courtesy which
:
sentative Of the people.
IF he represents his district Mr. Speaker,
II he is fair type of his district, no one
has right to complain that they sent him
here. They have right to be represented
by gentleman who uses the word fnfa-
nous about the majority Of the American
people, and holds that they are not to be
trusted and are unworthy of confidence.
have profound pity for the heart that can
dictate such a speech as the gentleman has
made this afternoon. And with that dis
miss him and his speech"
sharp Interruption.
There are other things the gentleman
would like to dismiss, but the people will
not dismiss Them" interrupted Mr. John
son. There was pause for a moment after
this sally, which was followed by applause
on the republican side. Everybody looked
at Mr.. Breckinridge as he slowly replied
Il do not know what the gentleman meant
or what he said, but IL shows the utter
want OF courtesy on the part of the gen.
teman that he should get up and interrupt
me without permission. II he desires to IN
terrupt me he knows that there is no inter-
ruptlon / am not willing to accord to a
gentleman who understands the proprieties
and decencies of parliamentary life" The
democrats applauded this rebuke, and Mr.
breckenridge continued his speech without
further interruption.
Rise and Fall of PARTIES.
Mr.. Breckenridge spoke with all Of his
old-time fervor and eloouence, and his re-
marks were frequently interrupted by ap-
plause. In the course of his speech he said:
Il am not now speaking as a democrat
against republicans. i am speaking as a
citizen who has lived to see parties rise
and pass into history. j am old enough TO
have seen the WING party when the splen-
doris Of its illustrious leader, like the beau
ties Of the setting sun, made the entire
country radiant with his glory. and / have
seen 1t, like that setting sun, pass abso-
lutely into night. i have seen the know
nothing party arise like a beautiful mirage
Of the desert, and for a moment seem To
give rest and comfort to the weary trav-
eler trying to find some remedy for an i'm
proper migration, and then fall absolutely
baselessly, like that mirage. have seen
the democratic party. insolent in its power,
divide itself at Charleston and turn over
the government to a minority, rend the
country and go down in the flames and
fire of a civil war; and / have seen the re-
publican party for thirty years control the
government of the country, a great, COM
pact and wonderfully powerful party pass
out Of power