Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-06-14
JOHN c. BRECKENRIDGE.
)F PENNSYLVANIA

JOHN c. BRECKENRIDGE.
1t is doubtful whether the country will feel
more surprise or admiration at hearing the
name of the candidate of the Democratic party
for the Vice Presidency. 1t is true that the
public life of Mr.. BREcKISRIDGE has not been
of long duration. He is not yet thrty-six
years of age; but during the period of his four
years service in Congress, all impartial and
thoughtful men not only saw the dawn of
high intellect. but the golden promise of a
future statesman. BY one of those sudden
impulses of public feeling founded upon the
conviction Of his future utility and value as
public servant. the most august assemblage in
this country, which it has been our fortune to
witness, nominated him, as it were, with one
reclamation, for the second Office in the gift Of
the people.
The family from which Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE is
descended is known to the country by long
series of distinguished public services rendered
in the field and in civil affairs. He is the only
son of Joseph Cabell Breckenridge, gen.
tleman of highly cultivated intellect, who died
early, but who must, had he lived, been emf
nently distinguished. Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE is
the grandson of John Breckenridge, the init
mate friend Of Thomas Jefferson, and the
Attorney General under his administration
John Breckenridge was the author of the cele.
brated Kentucky resolutions Of 1898, in which
he united with Mr.. jefferson, and which yet
form the basis of the theory Of the State.rights'
Democracy. No man during his day and gen.
Grafton had deeper hold upon the affections
of the people Of the West than John Breckin-
ridge, or exercised more important influence
over the political sentiments Of the western
country. Both by the paternal and maternal
side, Major JOIN c. BREcKISRIDGE is connect
ed with some Of the most eminent intellects
of the country. His fathers brother, John
Breckenridge, inherited the intellectual gifts
of the family, and was most celebrated and
brilliant divine. The Rev. Robert ]. Breckin--5
ridge and William l.. Breckenridge are also
eminent divines, and both Of them have been
the fast friends of their gifted nephew. 1t
speaks no little for the tolerance, moderation,
and frmness Of Mr.. BREcKINRIDGE, that he
has risen superior to all sentiments which
might in the slightest degree infringe upon
religious liberty, and has been the firm, con-
stant and intrepid adversary of the proscrip-
tive tenets of the Know-nothing party.
JOHN c. BREcKrSRIDGE was left at the death
of his father without wealth, but with sufficient
means to secure to him liberal education.
About the period he had attained his majority,
be was admitted to the practice of the Law,
and removed to Iowa with view Of uniting
his fortunes with that infant State. He re.
turned to Kentucky, and having married, deter
mined to reside and practice law in the county
Of Fayette. At that time the great personal
influence and popularity Of Mr.. Clay caused
nearly all the young and aspiring men of Ken
lucky to attach themselves to the Wing party,
but, true TO the instincts Of his family, Mr..
BRECKIyRIDGE maintained with frmness the
sentiments Of his Democratic ancestors. At
the period Of the Mexican war, Mr.. BREcKIs-
RIDGE offered his services to the State, and the
Governor of Kentucky, though of different
politics, appointed him as Major Of volun.
teers in the third regiment of Kentucky. The
third and fourth Kentucky regiments proceed.
ed, under William o. Butler, to the southern
line Of operations conducted by General Scott,
and remained until the conclusion Of the war
1t was the fortune Of Major BRECKsRIDcK not
to be in any active engagements but his
manly, just, and generous character, soon en-
deared him to many friends irrespective Of
party, who could adhere to him. After the
conclusion of peace he returned to the city of
Lexington, and practised his profession with
success, and was soon known as one Of the
most effective and rising barristers at a bar
distinguished for its talent and cultivation.
Not long after Mr.. BREcKIsRIDoE was returned
70 the Kentucky Legislature, where be soon
acquired reputation as an able and brilliant
oeDaeer, among men well known to the country.
In 1900 he was nominated BY the Democratic
party Of the Ashland District az their candi-
date for Congress, anu, although struggling
against majority Of several hundred. he was
returned over his opponent, General Leslie
Combs. Upon his return after the expiration