judah+benjamin+in+support+of+breckinridge

Daniel Cohen 12/4/11

A Letter to the Gazette in support of Breckinridge
==== It is time for Americans to decide how they want this country to be shaped. In 1860, America will be at a crossroads and needs a dedicated, honorable, and experienced man to lead. John Breckinridge is that man. As a former U.S. Senator, Vice President, and a passionate Southern politician with moderate views, Breckinridge understands how to deal with the serious issues that we face. ====

====Breckinridge’s honor is shown through his willingness to step down from the candidacy in order to preserve the Democratic Party and ensure that a Democrat of shared beliefs is elected. “ I desired that my name might be taken down from the head of his columns... No time, in or out of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, did I do an act or utter a word which would bring my name in conflict with his, or any other eminent American citizen who desired, or whose friends desired for him, that position.” ====

====As a born and bred Southerner from Kentucky, Breckinridge believes that slavery is our natural right. Under his leadership, the party endorses the idea of a federal slave code for the territories. Unlike popular sovereignty, this will secure and ensure the rights of slaveholders to enter the territories with their property and slaves protected throughout the territorial period. As a slaveholder myself, I, Judah P. Benjamin, understand the importance of this right. ====

==== Lastly, Breckinridge will work to continue growth of our country with the expansion of our railroad from coast to coast. As a former lawyer protecting the railroads’ interests, I know that this is critical for us to improve speedy communication between the East and West coasts. Breckinridge and his party have pledged to ensure that a railroad is constructed at the earliest practical moment from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.==== ==== For these reasons, I endorse John P. Breckinridge as candidate for the office of President. He is a true Southern gentleman, an experienced politician, and a man with great integrity and ideas. He will continue to ensure that this country maintains it’s self. ====