The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-30


Among the Youngest and ablest men OF the Thirty
second Congress John c. Breckenridge, OF Kentucky
He born in Lexington January ~ 1921, and there
fore Is now Just thirty.iwo Ills ia'hst was the Hon
Joseph Cabe Breckenridge, who died al The early OF
hirty-fve, while secretary OF state TO Governor Adar
His grandfather, John Becknrdge, was United States
senator from Kentucky and Attorney General in the cab
met OF Mr.. Jefferson. t
At len years OF age, young Breekihrldge left home for
school al Danyille-graduaed from the college OF that
place n the autumn OF ls3S-spent the ensuing winter
at Princeton College as president graduate"- led
law with Governor Ousley, OF kenueky-aitended law
lectures al the Pennsylvania University, and admit
ted TO the Kentucky bar in the spring OF 1871. Truly
something memorable for a boy OF twenty
But here he was at stand HIS energy had placed
him thus early the threshold OF active life, but he
almost entirely without resources. The large esa,e OF
his father had gone TO pay the debts OF his fathers
friends What left scarcely suhced to support his
sisters and his mother He had health, ambition and in
dusry; but how boy hope for success. suifi.
eienlly marked and rapid to NEE, the exgences of his
purse, profession already overcrowded with OF
experience, ability, and established eputaton Soon de-
Gliding, he started in October of the year. horse
back for the great West, which seemed 10 offer wide
and safer field
Trayersng The States OF Indiana and Illinois, he halt
ed at Burlington, IN the Territory (now Siate) Of Iowa
Love OF adventure appears 10 have had something to do
with this western Journeys for The young Keniucklan,
true 10 the ancient instincts oil his native State, after
residence in Burlington of year and half bucked
knife and bullet pouch. sung his rifle mounted his horse
again, and leaving his law office TO take of itself,
was oil for summers hunt OF the buffalo with the Sacs
pfairltS OF Inc mississippi
The vivid excitement OF taking the gigantic gane--the
wild, aboriginal hunters he was with-the grand free
dom oil the waving wildernessthe unshon forest aud
green plains stretching away like the ocean, to meet the
level sky-inused their own spirit into The young ora
tor and lent new impulse TO his energy lie returned TO
Kentucky in ls43, married, opened office in George
town, removed 10 Lexington and in the fall OF s17 went
out TO Mexico major OF the third infantry OF Kentucky
volunteers He was IN several skirmshes, but no pitched
battle; reached the city OF Mexico alter It's caPualion
returned hone, and resumed his profession, and was
ed IN he slatu IF Kent ucky in
L was here that his peculiar fitness for the sphere OF
politics and craftsmanship AT developed itself The
gun TO pen into the self poised, eloquent determined
man. and he became the raying point OF the minority,
at the surprise OF his opponents and The admiration
\ of his friends The canvass of 1851 approached and
General Leslie Combs was in renomlnaon-a veteran OF
tried ability, whose name was known over the whole
Union, and backed by apparently overwhelming ma
| Iority The friends OF young Breckenridge suggested
his entering the canvass and the suggestion at last grew
/ into demand that would take no refusal. There was
spice Of adventure in the thing He accepted the nom
inaon; and after struggle such brave men love,
out OF the with decided majority over
his gallant antagonist that not only his party In the DIS
tric but throughout ,he State, in blaze OF enhu-
sasm he was the first democrat ever elected IRON MI
| Clay's district
Those who heard his maiden speech upon the floor OF
Congress- March 4, 1852, will no, soon forget the i'm.
preston he made nor the warm congratulations received
IRON both wings and democrats. He assaei in the
very next issue of the then leading montby" OF his own
party, which, while it failed 10 shake The reputation
"uiCH tudt one Effort given DIS al oldioi VI
strength, readiness and tact and forensic debaer of
the very highest order of excellence, established beyond
controversy that ne was man OF persistent will and
energy, and 10 be feared respected and admired Later
IN the sess IN his elaborate speech on mail steamer con-
tIaciswhich has already become text book for those
who take his side of the questionand his classic and
/ beautiful euogy the death OF Mr. Clay, confined and
enhanced his reputation.
| In person, Mr. Breckenridge is rather TALL square
shoudeied, 1.-THE, erect, and very graceful His hair,
black and glossy, is brushed smoothly a wde
pact and jutting forehead. beneath which his prominent
and restless eyes sparkle and bum He is hollow cheek
ed, with firm, white teeth, snieless rigid lips iron com
pexon, rapid, nervous utterance and gesture, and i'm
FASHIONED in the hghes, degree His voice is clear, ring
ing and metallic and capable OF every variety OF ntoAa-
ton His dcton is terse vigorous, and elevated dashed
at long intervals, with the most vivid and beautiful
images. but briefly presented that they ony flashes
His thought is electric, yet severely logical In reparee
be is brilliant and instantaneous rather piess, but par
liamentary. His habits those OF interchangeable
student His manners are reserved but very winning,
and quietly unassumng that they betray conscious
OF The interest his presence exces that the
vclon OF his friends pfopheses that in him is growing
up another great statesman from Kentucky.