Show AX iSLLT TO THE NATION The spectacle of a selfconfessed transgressor of the laws of the land and the rules of morality offering himself him-self for reelection to the Congress of the United States and applauded by assembled thousands is an exhibition of immense assurance and not very creditable to the State of Kentucky However we must not pronounce judgment on the state until it has had ian ian i-an opportunity of showing how the majority of its people stand on this important question The sentiment of I the state will l no doubt have a powerful I power-ful effect upon the district from which Mr Breckinridge expects to be returned turned With the church which has accepted the repentants confession and promise of a better life we have nothing to disagree Its members have the right to judge whether he is fit to be received into fellowship It is eminently proper to welcome a sinner to repentance and to aid him in leading a commendable lifeBut I But it is altogether another thing to select such a person as the choice of the people to make laws not only for them but for the whole nation It I is a mark of great presumption on his I part and not at all indicative of that humility which springs from a consciousness con-sciousness of wrongdoing to offer himself him-self as a fit candidate for the suffrages of the people And it would be an insult I I sult to the nation on the part of his constituents to send him back to Congress Con-gress when his name has become a hiss and a byword throughout the country It may be that his friend Phil Thomp sons estimate of the average Congressman Congress-man is true But the proofs of the brazen statement have not been forthcoming forth-coming And while there are no doubt many worthy people who wish i it 1 Breckinridge all the satisfaction that can come from a reformed life very I few will be found who think he should be elevated to the proud position of a legislator for a great and virtueloving people Kentucky will only do itself justice by retiring its tarnished son to the quietude of private life That would not be unduly punishing him for the I I I grevious wrong he has done It would I only be showing selfrespect and regard I re-gard for the common sentiment of the men and women of America who regard re-gard chastity as a requisite qualification qualifica-tion for those who stand in high places and ought to be themselves exemplars of obedience to the laws of this republic repub-lic |