Des Arc citizen., 1860-07-25
Sketches of the Candidates.

Sketches 0f the CandldatoS.
 JOHN c, BRECKENRIDGE, OF KENTUCKY. Mr. Breckinridge, the candidate for President, was born near Lexington, Ky, January l6, 1921 was educated al Gen. Ire College, Kentucky; spent few months at Princeton studied law at the Transyl- vania Institute, and was admitted to the bar at Lexington, where he practced his profession with success. During the war with Mexico he served in one of the Ken lucky regiments as Major, and whilst Tn that country made many warm friends amongst the officers of the army, and es- tablished an honorable reputation as sol dier and gentleman. His campaigning over, he returned to the practice of law in Kentucky, where he soon made name for himself at a bar renowned for the learn ing, eloquehce and acumen of its mem- bers. In lS41 he was elected to the State Legislature. In this new sphere he at once established for himself distinguished po- sition as an orator. His style is compact, severe and logical, whilst his views on pub- lie questions are marked by solidity and breadth. These qualifications induced the party to select him as their candidate in lS5l-a Congressional nomination in op- position to General Leslie Coombs, a strong man-and the result was the elec- ltion of the Democratic nominee. In 1852 he was reelected, after one of the hottest canvasses ever known in the State. His opponent was Gen. R. P. Letcher. Among his numerous and brilliant speeches, that on the Nebraska Bill, delivered March 23, 1854, may be instanced as masterpiece of high toned oratory and conclusive req soning. During his administration Presi- dent Pierce rendered to him the mission to Spain, but domestic affairs forbade its ac- ceptance. Ever ready, however, to do bat. tie for his party. he did not hesitate to &C., cept the nomination for Vice President on the ticket with James Buchanan. He was elected, and entered upon the duties of his office in March, 1857. By virtue of his office he is the President of the United States Senate As presiding officer he takes high rank. He has just been elect ed to the United States Senate for six years from the 4th of March, 1861, to take the place of MT. Crittenden, whoso term then expires. MT. Breckinridge is about thir- ty-nine years old, and is possessed of a moderate fortune accumulated by his own efforts.
 JOSEPH LANE, OF OREGON. General Joe Lane. the candidate for Vice President was born in North Caroli- na, December IA, 1901. In his fifteenth year he became clerk sin mercantile house in Indiana. In 1891 he married and settled on the banks of the Ohio, in Indiana, where his family continue to re- side. In 1922 he was chosen a member of the Legislature, serving in that capaci- ty, with occasional intervals, until lS46. He supported General Jackson in 1894 '2S-'32 Van Buren in lS36-'40, and Polk in 1S44. His course while in the State Legislature was marked by devoted patriotism, and singleness of purpose to advance the prosperity of Indiana. He was most active in the arrangement by which the State was saved from bankrupt- cy, and her honor from the stain of repu- diation. None but those who were resi- dents of the State in that trying time can sufficiently estimate his invaluable servi- ces on this important question. In the year lS46 he was a member Of the State Senate, but resigned his seat when a call was made on Indiana to furnish volunteers for the Mexican war. He entered the ar- my as private, and, in few month af- forwards, was appointed Brigader Gener- al. He served with distinction during the war, and covered himself with honor.- About Angus. l, l84S, he reached Indiana, where succession of public receptions were rendered him, but to which he had no time to respond, for on the 18th of Au- gust he was commissioned Governor of Oregon, without his solicitation, and or ganzed the government; was elected del- egate to Congress ip 1851, and is now one of the United States Senators from the State of Oregon. In politics General Lane is Democrat of the Jefferson and Jack son school, and is thoroughly acquainted with the history and politics of this coun- Itry. His retentive memory and quick, ac- tive intellect enable him to turn to imme- diate and effective use the more important facts and incidents connected with our in- stitutions. He is more man of action than words-more practical than theoreti- cal--and presents himself with mind formed rather by study of things than of their mere names.
 I AMERICAN ARIsTocRAoy--HERoE OF THE REvoLUrIoN.--It may be consola- ton to :" stuck up people," whose greatest boast it is that they have never engaged in any useful employment, to be told of the following facts:
 Washington was surveyor and farmer l Franklin was printer. oa Green was a blacksmith.
 | Warren was physician.
 Sumter was shepherd. Roger Sherman was shoemaker. I Marion was a farmer, as was also Put nam, Allen and Stark.
 Hancock was shipping merchant. Trumbul was an artist.
 Arnold (who, though traitor, was a brave man and good general) was a