The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-06
PUTS SCANDAL BEHIND HIM
BTeCkinridgG Opens Ills CAMPAIGN
With a Speech.

cord in Public Life.
Lexington, KY, May 5.-Col. w. c. P.
Breckenridge delivered here to-day his
opening address in the campaign for re-
nomination to congress from the Ashland
district. The audience to which he
spoke consisted of people from all Dor
tions of the state, there being special
trains from many points outside the dis
trict. In the opera house, where the ad-
dress was delivered, were people repre-
senting all classes of industry. Many
of tnem were distillers and saloon
lists. Upon the stage was placed
about fifty chairs occupied by his closest
friends. Col Breckinridge entered the
stage from the rear, and coming forward
was met and grasped by the hand by
every one on the stage amid perfect
roar of applause from the floor, gallery
and balcony. In about three miHutes
time he made his way to a small table
near the footlights of the stage, and after
pause of about five minutes longer he
began slowly.
TEARS IN HIS EYES.
tense emotion, his nerves quivering and
tears coming into his eyes, he said he had
not come as a conquering hero, but felt
that his friends would hear what he had
to,say. Enthusiasm reigned supreme and
throughout his speech he was applauded
every two or three minutes. He did not
believe the ministerial union who had
taken action here against him had done
so with the proper spirit.
His harsh criticism of the Christian
people has hurt him with the better
classes and 1t is doubted by many well
balanced persons if he did his cause
any good by his address here to-day.
Some believe he has not made a vote and
has placed himself up as a target for the
sharp shooters in the pulpit and in the
press
APPLAUDED BY HIS FRIENDS.
On the other hand his friends, and they
are many, think the effort was the great
est they ever heard, and many of them
drew their -hahdkerchiefs more than
once during the address and cleared their
eyes. The colonel appeared to the best
tention to the newspaper men he
summoned to his aid, it seemed,
every bit Of nerve IN his
powerful physique With clenched fists
and contracted facial muscles, he declared
he had sat silently by and allowed the
press correspondents to lie for three long
months. The lies, he said, were CON
temptible He listed his eyes toward
heaven and forgave the ministers
who had raised their voice against
him, but excluded tho newspaper
fraternity, saying that for those
who had written falsely of him, he had
nothing but the bitterest contempt These
utterances brought forth the most en-
thusiastic applause, and he was forced to
allow this to die out before he could
finish, and ne said he was ready and will
ing, at any time, where these falsifers
thought he was meant, to meet them and
settle the matter with them. AS to ora
tory conservative Judges say that the
Grafton of Col Breckinridge to-day was
the best they have ever had the pleasure
to listen to. His friends are well pleased
with the reception, and are arranging to
give him like ovation at Paris Monday
THE SPEECH.
Col Breckinridge began his speech by
describing his early home and life, his
service in the southern army, and his
career as editor, lawyer and statesman,
at the wars close. Then he spoke of his
election te the House to succeed Congress
man Blackburn. .,and said that he was not
"a n otf 10 ran ~ ply ,I
the events leading up to the nomination
of Hancock and his defeat. He touched
on taxation and the tariff bill and paid
his respect to President Cleveland's
career as chief executive of the United
States.
THE TRIAL AT WASHINGTON.
Referring to his trial in Washington he
said; 1T is charged that revelations con
corning my private life have shown that
/ am not iii to be a representative: that
this renders it the duty of the district TO
set me aside; that a reelection would be
looked upon as a 'vindication; :; that a vote
for me is vote Of approval, and if not of
approval or conformation. If this were
so, my fellow citizens, / would not stand
for re election; j would not accept
your votes; would not live in
your midst. OF what l have been
guilty have made public acknowledge
ment under oath in the sight of God, Of
the court and Of the country. AS to the
numberless charges made by those who
have conspired to destroy me, ] enter my
indignant protest; against the malice
which has coined the mendacity which
has fabricated, and the enmity that has
uttered mum berless lies against me in the
presence Of you, my friends and constit-
ents, with all memories that clustur
about me and surge upon me as ! speak
to-day, protest in the name of God and
of honor.
NO DEFENSE MADE.
''But do not wish this district to con-
ceive that havo any defense 10 make for
what | have DONE and of which / have
been guilty. Entangled by weakness, by
passion. by sin in the coils which it was
almost impossible to break, | did every
thing that was within my power 10 pre-
vent public scandal, which for no mo-
ment ever entered my mind.
Your reelection Of me can neither take
away nor add to the punishment | have
suffered. II has not been hypocrisy; my
life has not been consistently wrong; I
tried to atone for sin in ways that is not
becoming in me TO more than allude.
GLADNEss IN EXPOSURE.
"Now that exposure has come there is
an element of Fladness in it. / care not
now what letters come in my mail / care
not now for the closet door to be opened
there ia no skeleton there and [ can 20