The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-06
He Opens His Campaign With The Ora
tOrIcal Effort Of Bis Life.
ENTHUSIASM REIGSED SUPREME.
Depounces His Enemies In scathing Terms
and Defends Himself with Eloquent
Observation-Disclosures Pleased.

State, there being special trains from
many points outside the district. In the
opera House, where the address was de-
livered were people representing all
classes Of industry. Many Of them were
distillers and saloonists. Upon the stage
were placed about iifty chairs. and these !
were all occupied. Col. Breckenridge en-
tered the stage from the rear. and coming |
forward was met and grasped by the |
hand bv every one on the stage, amld |
perfect uproar Of applause from the hoor' /
galleries. and balcony. In about three !
minutes time he made his way TO a small |
table near the foouights OF the stage
and after a paiise OK about tive minutes !
longer ne began slowly.
ENrHUsIIsM REIGNED SUPREME
Clnchng his hands with the most IN
tense emotion, his nerves aulverins ana
tears coming I'm his eyes he said he mad
not come as u conquering nero put
/. that his friends would hear what ne
had to say. Enthusiasm reigned supreme
and throughout his speech he was ap-
plauded every two or three minutes. lie
did not believe the ministerial union who
had taken action here against him had
done so with the proper spirit. lie
thought the members were very different
from the Master they make believe hey
were serving. Harsh criticism OF Chris
tian people has hurt him with the better
classes. and It is doubted t< many we'll
balanced If he did his cause any good
by his address here to-day Some believe
he has not made vote. and has placed
himself up as a target for the sharp
shooters IN the pulpit and IN the press.
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 handkerchiefs more than once
during the address and cleared their
eyes.
NFwspNrR TAf SFtrs SCORED.
The Colonel appeared to the best ad-
vantage. and when he turned his atten-
ton 10 the newspaper men he summoned
20 his aid. il seemed, every bit OF nerve
IN his powerful physique. With clinched
fists and contracted facial muscles he
declared he had sat silently by and al
lowed the press correspondents TO he
for three long months. Their lies, he said.
were contempuble. lie lifted his eyes
toward Heaven and forgave the ministers
who raised their voices against hlm, Out
excluded the newspaper fraternity say
ing that for those who had written raise
Is Of him he had no.hing but the bitter
est contempt. The2c urerancc5 biousht
forth the most enthusiastic applause. ana
he was forced TO allow this TO die out be-
fore he could finish, and he said he was
ready and willing at any time TO meet
any one Of these falsifers and settle the
matter with him.
Az 20 oratory. conservative judges say
| that the Grafton Of Breckenridge to-day
| wa. the best they ever had the pleasure
| 20 listen to. His friends are well pleased
with the reception, and are arranging 10
give him A like ovation at Paris Mon
day
| ccIoyrI. BBFCElNRDGF's SPEECH.
Col. Brecklnrldge began his speech by
| describing his early life and home. his
| service I'm the southern army, and his
| career as editor lawyer. and statesman az
| the wars clos> Referring 10 his triai III
| Washington he said: 1T is charged that
| revelations concerning my private life
| have shown that | am not nj TO De
| representative; that that renders II the
| duty OF the district 10 set me aside; thae
| a reelection would be looked upon as a
vlndlcation: that vote for me IS vote
OF approval, and if not OF approVh OF
cOndonation. ..
"If this were so. my felow-ciuzehs'
would not stand for reelection; "ouia
r,t acoent vOur votes; 1 would not live
IN YOUR midst. OF what have been gull-
| ~ I have made public acknowledgment
undsr oath. in the sight OF God, OF court
and Of country As 20 the numberlesS
chorges made by those who have con-
spired TO destroy ne, ! enter my indignant
protest against the malice which mas
coined. the mendacity which mas fdDrl-
Gated and enmity that has uttered num-
herless lies against me; in the presence
| ~ Won. my friends and constituents WIN
| aH memories that cluster about me ana
surge upon me as [ speak To-Day pro-
lest in the name OF God ana OF honor'
MOI A HYPocRrTF.
"Put do not wish this district to
corcoive that I have any defence te
make for what / have done. and OF which
have been guilty Entangied by weak
ness by passion by sin, In coils Whieh y
was almost impossible 70 break ou
everything that was within my pow
! ~ Dreyent the public scandal, except io'
which no moment ever entered my mihn
,your reelection Of me can neither tak'
from nor add to the punishment nave
suffered. II has not been hypocrisy ina
nv llfe has not been consistently WRONG
tncw secrets. tried 10 atone for j
I'm ways that IL Is not Decorhihs }" ii
10 more than allude 10.
"Now that exposure has come thef'
is an element OF gladness in H. car
no. NOW what letters come in my man,
care not now for the closet door 70 %
opened-there IS no skeleton there ah'
can 90 into the clear sunlight out OF ny
st,,dv and look up through the blue SKY
tn the upper world with the feeling ina
tbere IL no cloud there. / am not airai'
,ba, from the horizon will suddenly COM
clan OF thunder and flash of hghthih'
tbat will destroy me and mine. THIS
~ the past. I viii wear with me h
scors but I win not LONGER carry th'
dread. will come our of that s'orm
however long II may last. ID some re
spect conqueror. .,,As,tt,
'The extent OF my guilt was Hu'hFuii'
confessed by me to its uttermost pVuh
dsrles without justification or pailatlon
To that extent was guilty; beyond th1
vas Innocent. Whatever charge OF an.
! ttnd made against me by any person no
,.n,sessea IN that solemn testimony, 10
, | ,be truth OF which / appealed 30 God.
) saIse desire this Acknowledgements an
deniaI 10 BE- fully understood. tnat ther
e -, he no misunderstanding hereafter
In your presence to-day, and IN tne pre-
once OF the district, repeat that Tor .i tha
s,n ~ which / was guilty nave no lustl
ncation. no pailiauon, ana ASK NO ""