Mr. BRECKINRIDGE said that, so far as the present respectable audience
was concerned, he would make but a single remark. Mr. Thompson and he
had already trespassed on their patience, but they would probably do
so no longer than to-morrow night; at least so far as he was
concerned, he thought it unnecessary, if not improper. The chief
reason of his (Mr. B's.) coming here was to defend the churches,
ministers and Christians of America, from the false and dreadful
charges which had been proclaimed over Britain against them by Mr.
Thompson, and which he had challenged all the world to give him an
opportunity to prove. Upon this topic that gentleman had, as yet,
fought shy. He could wait on him no longer. They might expect,
therefore, that next evening he would take up that subject, whether
Mr. Thompson should follow him or not. If the audience considered that
the general subject had been sufficiently discussed already--as from
some manifestations he was inclined to suppose--he would at once
retire. (Slight hissing.) Was he to consider that as an answer in the
affirmative? (Renewed hissing.) Why, then, he had erred in laying any
of the blame of trying their patience on Mr. Thompson, and it was his
duty to take it all to himself; and, when he returned home, to tell
his countrymen that no charges were too gross or caluminous to be
entertained against them--nor any length of time, a weariness in
hearing them--but that the hearing of defence and proof of innocence
was an insupportable weariness. (Increased hissing, with cries of
'no'.) The only remaining supposition was, that Mr. T's. partizans had
become convinced he needed succor, and therefore gave it most
naturally in the form of organized violence. (The hissing was again
attempted, but was put down by the general voice of the meeting.) Mr.
T., he said, had at length brought accusations against him, and had
complained that although he (Mr. T.) had repeatedly and cordially
expressed good feelings towards him, (Mr. B.) he had in no instance
returned this kindness or justice; nor said a word favorable to him
throughout the debate. He would appeal to the Chairman, to know
distinctly, if Mr. Thompson had any right to demand, or if he (Mr. B.)
were bound to express his opinion of that individual. Because,
continued Mr. B., as I have in the beginning said that Mr. T. as an
individual could be nothing to me or my countrymen, I have preferred
to be silent as to him individually. If he is right, however, in
bringing such things as charges against me, and continues to demand
my opinion, I will give it fearlessly. But let him beware--for I will
call no man friend who gains his bread by calumniating my country. Nor
can he who traduces my bretheren--my kindred--my home--all that I most
venerate and revere--honor me so much as by traducing me. They had
been told that Mr. J. G. Birney had fled from Kentucky, and left his
wife and children behind him in great danger, he being obliged to flee
for his life.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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