Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-06-18

anu patriotic men among W hIgs and Demo
/ Gratis"
=" These few quotations are sufficient to show
how unfortunate our not altogether unintelli-
gent cotemporary is in its reference to by
Cones Butt the Clay Wings may not oe
permitted by the Gazette to vote for James
buchanan on account Of their ancient contests
with him, will it be pretended that they can
/ consistently support the Gazette's party, or
any candidate who is likely to be set up by
the Philadelphia convention Shall they as
sist in elevating the self-seeking leaders Of the
faction that In New York and Ohio Jetraved
Henry Clay in 1874?
! Io show what the opposition presses think
OF CUR nominees we publish the following full
account of John c. Breckenridge, which we
find in the Philadelphia Times of Saturday
last:
JoHN G. BREoKINRIDGE,- This gentleman
has been nominated by the Democratic Con-
vention, on the second ballot, for the Vice
Presidency. He is now about thirty
years of age. At present he resides at Lex
lngton, Kentucky. He is the son of John
! Cabeil breckenridge. His father was a man
of great cultivation and high accomplishments.
/ He won considerable distinction. and served
/
ebrated Presbyterian Clergyman, Robert c.
breckenridge, is the uncle Of the Vice Presi-
Dental nominee
Mr.. Breckenridge's grandfather was Sena-
tor of the United States from Kentucky and
Attorney General under the administration
OF Mr. jefferson. The family have always
borne a conspicuous part In the politics of that
State.
Mr.. Breckenridge was educated at Centre
College, Danville, KY. At college he show
ed extraordinary talent in all that related to
composition and elocution. Heexhibited ma
ny of those eccentricities, however, which are
shown by men of genius. He was full of fun
and frolic, ripe for any mischief, and was by
no means distinguished for habits of close
application. When he was aroused by any
event to effort, he, to use the language of a
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 pros
poets IN that State, he returned to Lexington
where he now lives.
In 1S41, Mr. Breckenridge went out as a
Major IN one of the three Kentucky regiments
raised that year. He did not reach the city
of Mexico until after it was taken Nor did
he participate in any of the sanguinary con-
ficts of the war. Whilst his regiment lay in
| garrison, he was employed in the defence of
Major General Pillow, in that most singular
and extraordinary set of prosecutions and
counter prosecutions which occurred between
| the general-in n-chlef and his suborduates In
these trials, he is said to have exhibited much
! skill and acuteness as lawyer. He enioyed
| great personsl popularity in his regiment, and
/ indeed In the brigade to which he was attach
/ cd.
In 1851, Gen. Leslie Coonbs was the Wing
nominee in the Ashland district Fer twenty
! years no Democrat had been elected from it
| 1t was the home of Mr.. Clay, aud it was deem
ed idle for Democrat to make the race
! Breckenridge resolved to try. His opponent,
| Gen. Coombs, is we'll known here as popular
orator, and he possessed, in a high degree,
the affections of the Wing party, When they
took the stump, according to western custom,
it soon became apparent that Breckenridge was
infinitely an overmatch for his Antagonist
| After animated contest, Breckenridge was
returned by over 900 majority His party
became so proud of his services and the dis
tinction he Won, during the first two years he
was in the national legislature, that they
unanimously gave him denomination in
/ 1858 The Wings, determined to conquer
! their enemy on their old stronghold, 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 returned from the Mexican mis-
| sion, to which he had been appointed by Gen
Taylor He had been, and was then, one of
the most popular in the State, and one of
| the best stump orators. When Black Bob,
as Gov. Letcher was Familiarity called, was
I put upon the track, the Wings declared that
'' Old BOSTON, was entered, and that he would
distance his competitor.
Never was so much feeling elected in any
Congressional canvass within our recollec-
ton. They began speaking together early in
May. and there was not day. except Sun
day, until the first Monday in August, that
they did not meet, and fight it foot to foot,
and hand to hand. They spoke as often as
four or five times in one precinct. Their dis
trict was large one, consisting of Fayette,
Scott Franklin, Jessamine, Woodford and
| Owen counties Lctcher was not able to be
present with his youthful opponent at every
point. He would meet him every day at the
place regularly agreed upon But Brecken-
ridge often would ride to some other precinct