Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-08
TR0U8lE BREWING.
Breckinridgs's Friends Resurrect Scandals oI
The Blue Grass Aristocracy.

LOUISVILLE, KY, June 7.-Th, re are in.
dications that before the Breckinridge cam
paign in the seventh district is ended there
will be shooting.
Breckenridge has taken the scriptual
ground. He says, "He that is without sir
among you, let him east the first stone, y
and calmly notifies those who are opposing
him that their private lives and records are
likely to be held up to public scrutiny and
criticism as his own is, if they persist in de-
clsring that he is not fit to represent them
in Congress. His friends are just as active
as his enemies, and he has very many of
them. His hold upon the people is marvel
lous, snd there are hundreds of men in the
district who regardless of his reputation
will stand up and fight for him to the last
drop of blood. Most of them are ex-Con-
federates who fought with him in the war,
and include the local leaders of the organi-
cations he has built up in the district
His opponents, on the other hand, are
the aristocracv of the Blue Grass region,
who feel that it is disgrace to have such
q man represent them in Congress. Their
opposition is all the more bitter because he
belongs to their own class. All of the old
families in that part of Kentucky seem to
be related by blood or connected by mar
riage, and the two former wives of Breck-
inrldge belonged to the most famous and
extensive class. The first was grand
daughter of Henry Clay. ond the second a
granddaughter of Gen. Desha. who served
in the Indian wars after the Revolution
with Mad Anthony Wayne, and WAS after
ward Governor of Kentucky and Henry
Claws predecessor in the United States
Senate. The descendants of Clay and
Desha are particularly bitter against Breck
inridge.
There have been many scandals in the
Ashland district, and there is scarcely q
family without black sheep in its flock or
a closely hidden skeleton in its closets
Many of the men have been fast, and the
women frivolous in their youth, and epi-
sodes have occurred that these generou.
people have rgiven and forgotten. The
friends Of Breckenridge have been ralling
over the regulations of the aristocracy, and
digging out the skeletons in large numbers.
Thus far there have been only whispers and
insinuations and mysterious warnings of
disclosures to come, intended as intima-
nations that persons who live in
glass houses should not throw
stones, even a. SO hideous spec
tacle as Breckenridge has made
of himself. 1t will not be long before the
effect of this resurrection is felt, and then
the shooting will commence. Already no.
tice has been served upon some of the
scandal mongers that certain incidents in
the histories of some of the towns will be
revived at their peril. These offenders re-
ply that Breckinridge's friends intend to
fight with the same weapons that are used
against him.
The gentleman who brings this news says
that Breckenridge will be renominated with
out doubt, as he has the organizations
and will select the judges at the primary
elections that will be held on Sept. Is.
The Republicans have called their
convention for Sept. &c, and if the
colonel succeeds his opponent will be Major
Henry Clay Mcdowell, the famous horse
breeder, the owner of Dictator and other
fine stock, who lives in the old house of
Henry Clay, who was his great-uncle. Ma
jor Mcdowell was a Union man during the
war and has usually voted the Republican
ticket, although he has never taken any ac-
tive part in politics. He is the richest man
in the district and the NEST popular and will
be supported by all of the old aristocracy
regardless of party lines. He is not seek
ing the nomination, but has consented to
make the fight if Breckenridge captures the
Democratic comination.