Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-07-11
From the Baltimore Sun.
The Democratic. Nominees.

Gne democratic Nominees
We compile the annexed succinct
sketches OF the life and career Of the re-
rpaotiSe nominees Of the democratic par
" for the Presidency and Vice Presiden
W from the most authentic sources Of in
formation accessible, TO IA. ssy- ~
Mr.. Buchanan IS in the sixty sixth year
Of his ageS and as our citizens had an ops
portunity 70 observe for, themselves, the
other day, exhibits hail. substantial
physical condition that his intellectual
Vigor corresponds with it, his country has
,hs ahlss. evidence in his public services.
he was born in Franklin county, Pa, Of
comparatively humble, but honest and in,
dastrious parents. He received good
education. aeadenical and classical, and
then became the chief architect of his
SNa, fortune. He stu lid law, 10 Laneas-
terraRd there established his home. In
1914 he, was elected 10 the State Legisla.
tue, aad 10 1890 he vas elected to Com
Rress, where he. served as a metnber- of
the House OF Representatives. for 10 years.
lie returned 10 Congress 10 1929, and as
chairman of the judiciary committee dis
unguished himself by his professional
ability. zHe WAS the steady and trusted
friend OF Gen. Jackson, who in 1881 ten
dered him the mission to Russia, which
he accepted, and signalizedr his efficiency
by negotiating the first commercial treaty
between the United States and Russia,
which secured to our commerce the Rus.
sian ports in The Baltic and the Black
Seas. o r.. .-s $3.50 :.
Shortly after his return from Russia,
the Democrats in the Pennsylvania Leeis-
1ature made him their candidate for Uni
ted States Senator, aud elected him. He
remained in that body until his resigua-
ton in March. 1S45. when he accepted
from President Polk the first seat in his
Cabinet as Secretary zof State. OF the
Abilitywith which he discharged the duties
ofthis responsible Office, the public can de-
termine. At the close of the Polk adj
ministration he retired again to his home
10 Pennsylvania, but continued to take an
active interest 10 the political events and
questions Of the times.
On the accession of Mr.. Pierce to the
Presidency. Mr.lBuchanau was selected To
fill the leading foreign missiou-:hat to the
Court OF st. James. How he has acquit-
ted himself as the representative of the
Republic III EngE4nd-with what plain re-
publican dignity. and attention to his
what prudent and consummate depIoma>
tic skill he met and mastered the arts and
cunning of Palmerston and Clarendon. are
matters OF too recent occurrence and too
notorious character to require detailed
statement. The distinguished manner
with which he conducted the difficult and
delicate question committed to his care
raised him even higher than he had been
NkA L 4
pointed him out 10 the party with which
he is identified as the man qualified to
hold the helm and guide the ship Of State.
Mr.. John Beckinridge is comparatively
agoung man. 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 Cabel Beckinridge,
who with other members of the family,
has always borne conspicuous part in the
politics Of the State Of Kentucky.
Mr.. breckenridge, the present nominee
for the Vice Presidency. resides in Lex
ington, Ky. He was educated at Centre
College, Danville. KY, where he exhib-
tied great talent with an irresistible genius
for fun and frolic. Moved to effort, how
ever. he never failed to distinguish him
self.
After leaving college. he emigrated to
Iowa. with the determination Of settling
there.
In I847. Mr. b. went out as Major in
one of the three Kentucky regiments rails
ed that year. He saw no service, how
ever. as he did not reach the, city Of Mex:
ieo until after it was taken he won great
POPULAR y 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 MIR. Clay, from which, for
twenty years no democrat had been elect
ed. Gen. Leslie Coombs, popular speak
er and taVorite with his party, was the
"hig candidate. After an animated con-
test. Breckenridge was returned by over
600 majority. He was re-uominated in
1858. aud again. after one Of the severest
contests ever known in the district, in
which be was opposed by. Gov. Letcher,
MIR. B. was elected by a majority Of $50
votes After serving until the 4th Of
March 1855. he retired from public life
During his congressional career, and
whist the Kansas bill was under discus
sion in the House, he and Francis B. Cut
ting. of New York. although political
TRENDS, came IN contact and severe par
Ilamentary rencontre took place. Breckin-
ridge conceiving himself insulted sent his
adversary challenge. After some de-
lay and explanation, a reconciliation was
effected By the iuterposition of Friends.
There is no doubt Mr.. Brecinridge is
the idol of his party in his own State.
AS popular orator, there is no man in |
the West his superior tall and command |
ing in person. he exhibits the most grace. |