Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-05-11
". c. P. BRECKENRIDGE.
DRAMATIC AND ELOQUENT OPEN
ING OF HIS CAMPAIGN AT
LEXINGTON
I From the Cincinnati Enquirer of May 9th.

l " "oA''l
LEXINGTON, KY, May 5-Trains began to
bring in the crowds early i'll the morning, and
by noon the town was filled to Overlooking.
People from every portion Of the district,
from Louisville and other cities beyond the
boundaries of Harry OF the Vests old bo-
rough, focked to Lexington to hear Colonel
Breckinridge's address. Long before o'clock
the opera house was jammed, and had it rot
been for the 200 chairs placed on the stage,
500 people would have been turned away
from the doors.
Colonel Breckenridge entered the stage
from the rear door, and his appearance was
the signal for prolonged applause. He step
ped to the front OF the stage, and began his
address with these words: 'Let ME talk to
you as my friends" Cheers drowned further
utteranees from the orator.
clear me Give me justice, something l
have not received he continued in a drama
tic way,
Again there was cheering. Colonel Brock
inridge continued paying his respects to
Judge Bradley. Reference to the Judge
evoked angry cries from the audience. Some
one cried Hang BradleY?" and the crowd
took up the song.
SIN the name of God and before the State,
the district and the people, impeach the
ministers Of Lexington, and before the cruel
fed Savior and in the name Of God,'' contlir
ued Colonel Breckenridge. In the midst Of
the deafening applause Colonel Breckenridge
added: "They have no right to NEEDLE in
politics; if they oppose one man they will try
to nominate" Approving cries came from
the crowd, while the old Confederate soldier
on the corner Of the stage cried after every
wild cheer 'IIurrah for the old statesman. -
AN OFFER TO WITHDRAW
off YOU have a man among you who will
represent the district, who has not passedsin-
full nights l will withdraw in his favor said
Colonel Breckenridge. "Wll you have me
to represent you? They say am unfit. )" This
query ELECTED cries of you are the man y
Colonel Breckenridge also said: eff you
love ME, ana Will DO me- a favor, treat Ben
Butterworth as you wonld your brother, lie
is the truest friend ever had,
Suddenly Colonel Breckenridge threw up
his arms, and standing erect leaned his head
towards his listeners and cried in voice ~
which sobs were mingled - love you SO,
my fellow men, love you so. Forgive me.
| ask my friends, but to my enemies-the man
WHO has circulated lies against me- bid him
defiance, and viii meet him anywhere.
When Colonel Breckihridge saw the effect
Of his words upon the audience he broke
down and sobbed and could hardly artculate,
it required several minutes for him to regain
his composure Many old veterans il tie az
diprca sobtcl and one man on the stage near
the Colonel wiped the tears from his eyes
Two ladies were in the audience but were il
no way denonstrative.
The audience was composed principally OF
people from outside Of Lexington, but many
local people were present. After the audi
onca had GAINED down somewhat, and Colo
mel Breckenridge had partially recovered
from his emotion, lie continued his speech
THE portions referring to politics, ant
his political services are omitted
STOOD FOR HONESTY.
In the nine years have represented you nc
Job has received my vote. He who attsmpfet
raids OH the treasury knew was his enemy
| I have not boosted Of any Watchfulness OF the
public treasury, but l have remembered thai
ia xes came from the sweat of the laborers
| and that they ousHt NOV " w "'o" w "' y
purposes that were nos fairly governmental
and necessity, Aud SO as yoHr represent}
| tive have stood for econeny in pubic e.pen
diture and against every form OF JOB.
| But it is charged that, and this may be true
that unaer what the revelations concern
ing my private lie have shown, am not fiji
to be Representative; that that renders it the
duty of the district to set me aside; that a re-
election would be looked upon as s'vindica-
tion;'' that q vote for me is a vote of APPROX
al, and if not Of approval. of conformation.
/ If this were SO, my fellow citizens, would
not stand for re election; would not accept
! your votes; would not live in your midst.
OF what Ihaye been guilty, T have made pub