The true Democrat., 1856-06-24

We find the following in the Philadelphia Times, neutral paper, with Know Nothing proclivities:
 JOHN c. BRECKENRIDGE.-This gentleman has been nominated by the democratic conven- tion, on the second ballot, for the Vice Presi- dency. He is now about thirty-elght years of age At present he resides in Lexington, Ken lucky lie is the son of John Cabell Brecken- ridge His farther was a man of great cultiva- ton and high accomplishments. He won con- siderable distinction, and served Secretary of State in Kentucky. The celebrated Presby- terian clergyman, Robert c. Breckenridge, is the uncle of the Vice Presidential nominee.
 Mr. Breckenridge's grandfather was Senator of the United States from Kentucky, and At torney General under the administration of MT. Jefferson. The family have always borne a conspicuous part in the politics of the State.
 Mr. Breckenridge was educated at Centre College, Danville, Ky. At college he showed extraordinary talent in all that related to com position and elocution. He exhibited many of those eccentricities, however, which are shown by men of genius. He was full of fun and froic, ripe for any mischief, and was by nc means distinguished for habits of close applca- tion When he was aroused by any event to effort, he, to use the language of class mate, could make "the walls of the old college thunder"
 After leaving college he studied law, and emigrated to Iowa, with the determination of settling there Not satisfied with his prospects in that State, he returned to Lexington, where he now lives
 In 1S47, Mr. Breckenridge went out as a Major in one of the three Kentucky regiments
 l l xl. 4 Mexico until after it was taken. Nor did he participate in any of the sanguinary conflicts of the war. Whilst his regiment lay in garri- son, he was employed in the defence of Major General Pillow, in that most singular and ex- traordinary set of prosecutions and counter prosecutions, which occurred between the gene ral-n-chief and his subordinates In these trials, he is said to have exhibited much skill and acuteness as lawyer. He enjoyed great per- sonal popularity in his regiment, and indeed, in the brigade to which he was attached.
 In 1851, General Leslie Coombs was the whie nominee in the Ashland district For twenty wears no democrat had been elected from it. ed idle for democrat to make the race. Breck- enridge resolved to try. His opponent, Gene ral Coombs, is we'll known here as popular
 
 affections of the whig party. When they took the stump, according to western custom, 1t soon became apparent that Breckenridge was inf nitely an overmatch for his antagonist After an animated contest, Breckenridge was return ed by over 600 majority.
 His party became so proud of his services and the distinction he won, during the first two years he was in the national legislature, that they
 ,lx l o The whigs, determined to conquer their enemy in their old stonghold, brought out Robert Letcher, to run against him. This gentleman had been in political life for thirty years. He had been repeatedly in Congress, was Governor of the State for one term, and had just then re- turned from the Mexican mission, to which he had been appointed by Gen. Taylor. He had been, and was then, one of the most popula men in the State, and one of the best stump orators. When "Black Bob,' as Gov. Letche was familiarly called, was put upon the track the whigs declared, the "Old Boston" was en tered, and that he would distance his compe titor.
 Never was so much feeling elcited in an. Congressional canvass within our recollection They began speaking together early in May and there was not day. except Sunday, untl the first Monday in August, that they did no meet. and ightit foot to foot, and hand to hand They spoke as often as four or five times in on precinct Their district was large one, con sisting of Fayette, Scott, Franklin, Jessamine Woodford, and Owen counties. Letcher wa not able to be present, with his youthful oppo nent at every point Hewould meet him ever. day at the place regularly agreed upon. Bu Breckenridge often would ride to some othe precinct and make speech at night. One day such was his activity, he went seventy mile and made three speeches. Never were parti. sans on either side more vigilant. The friend of each spent immense sums of money.
 The contest resulted in the reelection o Breckenridge by majority of 52O votes. Afte serving until the 4th of March, 1855, he retired from public life.