Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1856-06-14

jackson, who in 1881 rendered him the
mission to Russia, which he accepted,
and signalized his efficiency by nego-
tiating the first commercial treaty be-
tween the United States and Russia,
which secured to our commerce the Rus
sian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas.
Shortly after his return from Russia,
the Democrats of the Pennsylvania Legis-
lature made him their candidate for
United States Senator, and elected him.
He remained in that body until his re-
signation in March, 1915, when he ac-
cepted from President Polk the first seat
in his Cabinetas Secretary of State OF
the ability with which he discharged the
duties of this responsible Office the pub
lie can determine. AT the close of the
Polk administration he retired again to
his home in Pennsylvania, but continu-
ed to take an active interest in the politi-
cal events and questions of the times.
On the accession of Mr. Pierce to the
Presidency, Mr.. Buchanan was selected
to fill the leading foreign mission-that
to the Court of St. James. How he has
acquitted himself as the representative
of the republic in England what
plain republican dignity, and attention
to his country's interests and honor, and
with what prudent and consummate dip
lomatic skill he met and mastered the
arts and cunning of Palmerston and
Clarendon, are matters of too recent
occurrence and of too notorious char
acter to require detailed statement
The distinguished manner in which he
conducted the difficult and delicate aues-
tons committed to his care, raised him
even higher than he had been in the esti-
nation of his countrymen, and pointed
him out to the party with which he. is
identified as the man qualified to hold
the helm and guide the ship of State.
Mr.. JOHN 9. BREcKINRIDGE is COM
paratively young map, being only thirty
FIVE years old, the age required by the
constitution of the United States for
eligibility to the office of President and
Vice President. He is the son of John
Cabell Breckenridge, who with other
members Of the family have always borne
conspicuous part in the politics of the
State of Kentucky.
Mr.. Breckenridge resides at Lexington.
Ky. He was educated at Centre College,
Danville, KY, where he exhibited great
talent with an irresistible genius for fun
aud frolic. Moved to effort, however,
he never failed to distinguish himself.
After leaving college he studied law,
and cmigrated to Iowa, with the deter
mination of settling there. Not salts
fed with his prospects in that State, he
returned to Lexington, where he now
lives.
In 1917 Mr.. B. went out as Major in
one of the three Kentucky regiments
raised that year. He saw no service
however, as he did not reach the city Of
Mexico until after it was taken; he wor
great personal popularity in his regiment
and in the brigade to which he was
attached
In 1851 he was the Democratic nomi.
nee for Congress in the Ashland district
the home of Mr.. Clay, from which fol-
twenty years no Democrat had been elect
ed. Gen. Leslie Coombs, a popular
speaker, and favorite with his party
was the Wing candidate. After an ami.
mated contest Breckenridge was returned
by over 600 majority. He was re-nomi.
mated in 1858, and again, after one Of
the severest contests ever known in the
district, in which he was opposed by
Gov. Letcher, Mr. b. was elected by q
majority of 500 votes. After serving
until the 4th of March, 1855, he retired
from public life. During his congress
-sional career, and whilst the Kansas bill
was under discussion in the House, he
and Francis b. Cutting, of New York,
although political friends, came in con-
tact and severe parliamentary rencontro
took place. Breckenridge conceiving
himself insdlted, sent his adversary a
challenge. After some delay and ex-
PLANTATION, reconciliation was effected
by the interposition of friends.
There is no doubt that Mr.. b. is the
idol of his party in his own State. As
popular orator, there is no man in the
West his superior; tall and commanding
in person, he exhibits the most graceful
elocution. He is rapid and vehement
in utterance, yet distinctly articulate.-
He combines an intellect of high order,
with great personal advantages.
Should he be elected to the second
Z
Office in the nation, he will preside with
ability and discretion over the delibera-
tions of the Senate.