Breckinridge to the people of Kentucky, whom he had represented
in both Houses of the United States Congress, with such distinguished
ability and zeal for the general welfare as to place him in the front
rank of the statesmen of his day:
"Bowling Green, Kentucky, _October 8,1861_.
"In obedience, as I supposed, to your wishes, I proceeded to
Washington, and at the special session of Congress, in July,
spoke and voted against the whole war policy of the President
and Congress; demanding, in addition, for Kentucky, the right to
refuse, not men only, but money also, to the war, for I would
have blushed to meet you with the confession that I had
purchased for you exemption from the perils of the battle-field,
and the shame of waging war against your Southern brethren, by
hiring others to do the work you shrunk from performing. During
that memorable session a very small body of Senators and
Representatives, even beneath the shadow of a military
despotism, resisted the usurpations of the Executive, and, with
what degree of dignity and firmness, they willingly submit to
the judgment of the world.
"Their efforts were unavailing, yet they may prove valuable
hereafter, as another added to former examples of many protest
against the progress of tyranny.
"On my return to Kentucky, at the close of the late special
session of Congress, it was my purpose immediately to resign the
office of Senator.
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