The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-06-19
John C. Breckenridge.

to which we find in the Philadelphia Times
5. Saturday last:
y JOIN c. BREcKENRIDGE.--This gentlema
81 has been nominated by the Democratic Cor
e vention, on the second ballot, for the Vic
Is Presidency. He is now about thirty-eigl
d years of age. At present, he resides in Le1
o ington, Kentucky. He is the son of job
: Cabell Breckenridge. His father was ma
i Of great cultivation aud high accomplish
ments. He won considerable distinction
- and served as Secretary OF State in Ken
o lucky. The celebrated Presbyterian Cler
8 gyman, Robert C. Breckenridge, is the un
b. Gle Of the Vice Presidential nominee.
y Mr.. Breckenridge's grandfather was Sen
I stor of the United States from Kentucky
, and Attorney General under the admins
] trasion of Mr.. Jefferson. The family hav,
always borne conspicuous part in the poll,
tics of that State.
Mr. Breckenridge was educated at Centre
f College, DanviIle KY. At college he show
ed extraordinary talent in all that related to
composition and elocution. He exhibited
many fthose eccentricites, however, which
are shown by men of genius. He was full
offun and frolic. ripe for any mischief, and
was by no means distinguished for habits of
close application. When he was arouse d
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
prospects in that State, he returned to Lex.
ington, where he now lives.
In ls47, Mr.. Breckenridge went out as
a Major in one of the three Kentucky regi.
ments raised that year. He did not reach
the city of Mexico till after it was taken.~-
Nor did he participate in any Of the sanguin-
ary conflicts Of the war. Whilst his reci-
ment lay in garrison. he was employed in
the defence Of Major General Pillow, in that
most singular and extraordinary act of pros
ecutions and counter prosecutions, which
occurred between th., general-in chief and
his subordinates In these trials, he is said |
to have exhibited much skill and acuteness
as lawyer. He enjoyed great personal
popularity in his regiment, and indie. in
the brigade to which he was attached.
In 1851, Gen. Leslie Coombs was the
Wing nominee in the Ashland district. For
twenty years no Democrat had been elect
ed from it. 1t was the home of Mr.. Clay,
and it was deemed idle for Democrat to
make the race. Breckenridge resolved to
try. His opponent, Gen. Coombs, is well
known here as popular orator, and he pos
sessed, in high degree, the affections of
the Wing party. When they took the
stump, according to western custom, it soon
became apparent that Breckenridge was in
fnitey an over match for his antagonist
After an animated contest, Breckenridge
was returned 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,
hat they unanimously gave him re.nomin-
'tion in 1853. The wings, determined to
conquer their enemy in their old stronghold,
brought out Robert Letcher, to run against 6
lin. This gentleman had been in political t
ife for thirty years. He had been repeat /
dly in congress, was Governor of the State 9
or one term, and had just then returned from t
he Mexican mission, to which he had been
'ppointed by Gen. Taylor. He had been, t
nd was then, one of the most popular men j
n the State, and one of the best stump ora q
ors. When BLACK Bob," as Gov. Letcher q
,as fsmilarly called, was put upon the track S
he Wings declared that "Old Boston" was v
ntered, and that he would distance his com. b
etitor. rr a
Never was SO much feeling ELECTED in any C
canvass within our recollec-
ion. They began speaking together early r
! May, and there was no; a day, except Sun t
ay, until the first Monday In August, that {
hey did not meet, and fight it foot to foot, p
nd hand TO hand. They spoke as often as Il
'ur or five times in one precinct. Their t.
strict was q large one, consisting of Fay C.
tie, Scott, franklin, Jessamne. Woodford O
nd Owen counties. Letcher was not able I
} represent with his youthful opponent at te
very point. He would meet him every 81
~ at the place regularly agreed upon W
ut Breckenridge would often ride to some C,
her precinct and make speech at night. dl
ne day. such was his activity he wefit sew tn
lty. five miles and made three speeches. W
ever were parlizans on either side more re
gilant. The friends Of each spent i'm W
ense sums of money. ysa.sy &C
The contest resulted in the reelection of T
'eckenridge, by o majority of620 votes W
fter serving until the fourth of March, ed
'55, he retired from public life. an
During his term of service he was offered Gu
foreign mission by President Pierce, but tic
lcined. Whilst the Kansas bill was un de
r discussion in the House, he and Francis th
Cutting, of New York, although political ha
ends, came in contact and severe par. ra.
mentary rencontre took place, Breck- CHI
ridge considering himself insulted, sent ed
, adversary a challenge After soma de- Of
, and explanation, reconciliation was su,