The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-05
DON'T WANT HIM.
Objection Raised to Inviting
w. C.HP. Breckenridge
Ut Madeline Pollard Fame, to
the Fall Festival
AND G.. A. R. REUNION.
Several Topeka Citizens Think
1t in Bad Taste.
Details of the Proposed Peace
Jubilee.
AND G. A. r. REUNION.

w. c. P. Breckenridge of Kentucky,
colonel in the Confederate army during
the war but better known to the people
OF the state through his connection with
the Madeline Pollard scandal, has writ
ten a letter to this city signifying his
Willingness to come to Topeka and de-
liver an address at the Peace Jubilee
which is to be a feature of the Fall
Festival this year
Mr.. Breckenridge will probably come
to Topeka, provided the Christian ele-
nent in this city and the element in
terested in morality does not cause him
to change his mind.
There is already a movement in this
city which may result in the Kentucky
cOIOneI recalling his acceptance of the
invitation rendered him to deliver an
address in Topeka. Many of the church
people are protesting against Brecken-
ridges appearance here on the ground
of his moral character. Ministers have
taken the matter up.
DIR. e. L. Thorpe, pastor of the First
Methodist church, in speaking of the
matter, said today:
II think it is a great mistake. If
Col. Breckenridge was the only Con-
federate veteran left in the United
States it would be entirely different but
to invite him to come to this CITY and
pose as a hero when there are scores Of
Confederate officers with untarnished
characters who could be secured as cas-
lily and who are as brilliant orators,
looks as though Topeka cared but little
about morality and decency. If Col.
Breckenridge had even shown any pen
1tence for his wrong doing after the
scandal, it would put matters in a dff-
ferent light but so far as anybody
knows he has never repented of his ac-
t1OnS. Topeka is supposed to be large
ly inhab bited by Christian people and
people who are thoroughly in favor Of
morality, and to bring w. @. p. Breck-
enrfdge here on invitation to deliver q
pubic address is something that will
injure the reputation Of the city"
Mr.. J. P. Davis, president Of the Kan
sas Mutual Life Insurance company,
and a prominent church member, is also
opposed to Col. Breckenridge coming to
this city in the role of public orator.
when I read of his acceptance Of
the invitation to speak here" said he,
'I at once thought what a grave mis-
take. I think the moral element in this
city will protest against bringing a. man
of his character here on an occasion OF
this kind, and 1 think they will be per-
fectIy right in their protest"
In regard to the matter Mr.. p. I.
BOnebrake said today:
st would much rather that the old
colonel, John @. Breckenridge, had been
invited. People in Kansas know of him,
while they only know w. @. p. Breck-
enridge through his connection with the
Pollard scandal. think the invitation
to speak here could be better rendered
to almost any other Confederate fight
er."
William Stryker, superintendent OF
public instruction said:
'I am decidedly opposed to Colonel
Breckenridge, and think a better Sc
lection could be made for a public
speaker"
The invitation to speak here was not
rendered Col. Breckenridge by the G..
A R. but by a private individual, 1t has
not yet been decided who will be the
representative of the Union armies at
the Peace Jubilee which will be held
Thursday afternoon and evening, Sep
tember 29. Major Anderson favors hav-
ing Major William Warner of Missouri
or Congressman Henderson of Iowa as
signed to that duty. In this connection
an effort will be made to have an Off
Ger who participated in the war just
closed take part in the programme but
who cannot yet be known. The commit
tee would like to secure General Miles
or Shafter but there is little likelihood
that either can be present.
The committee will have several
bands on duty and there will be vocal
music besides furnished by the ModOc
club or some other well known oTganiz-
alton Another feature proposed is a
fire works display. Included in this
will be gigantic pictures of heroes of all
the wars in fire. It is proposed to have
the fireworks display on the north side
of Soldier creek and near enough to the
water to produce the effect of being
given on the water.
A lantern display has also been Sug-
gested for that evening. Every child
in the city will be invited to bring a
Chinese lantern or better still a box
lantern of the home made kind If
one boy or girl will bring a half dozen
so much the better. The committee will
string wires in the park and the Ian
terms will be hung on these wires max
ing a brilliant and pretty effect.
Besides this the committee will make
an effort to secure the Twenty-s second
regiment of Kansas volunteers who will
be at home by that time. If the regi-
ment can be kept together 1t viii be
given a place on the programme AT
the meeting of the committee MAJOR
Anderson said:
ct see no reason why we can not have
at least one regiment of Kansas voIun-
teers present on the occasion OF the
Deace Jubilee. The TWenty-SecOnd viii
he at home by that time and have
no doubt that the members of the regi-
mont would enjoy coming to Topeka.
think that we can not do better than 10
make an attempt to secure them.
w. Dana thought that it would do
| no harm to make an effort in that di-
rection and he said that as soon as
fbe regiment arrives in LeavenWofth
| some one would be sent over to try 70
induce them to come to Topeka TO at
tend the reunion. The war department
will also be communicated with
The Peace Jubilee viii come up TOT
more detailed discussion at the meet
ing of the Committee of F1fteen Iues-
day evening.
The question of tents when mas peeil
troubling the committee has not yet
heaT solved huf the committee decided
to advertise for 500 tents 70 pe IeitSu -
for the reunion If they can not oe
| secured in that way there VIII pe noun
| ing left to be done but mousse the ols-
| soldiers in vacant houses
| The committee has given up an nope
IF receiving any tents from the govern
| mept