Gazette and sentinel., 1860-09-15
THE resolutions adopted By the Con.

lied, and they form q noble policy for
any Administration"
/ 1t has been the purpose of this brief
memoir of the life of Mr. Breckenridge
to present him as he is-to exhibit his
public character by his public acts.
Left an orphan in his early years, with
a mother and her little ones dependent
upon him, he is found steadily and val
iantly fronting adversely, and, almost
entirely by his W exertions, laying
the broad foundations of his future use
f~ulness. All the elements of a great
and noble character seem blended i'll
him-truth, generosity, prudence, judg-
ment, intrepidity, a devoted love Of his
country. 1t would seem that he was
the fruit of the generation of valor, pa
triotism and learning from which he
sprang. In the conflicts of war and
peace he has never shrunk from danger
or responsibility but has ~intrepidly
encountered them, and always trium-
phantly achieved his aim. Yet SO con-
siderate and just has he been to all,
hat he has rarely had, and never de-
seryed to have, an enemy. To provide
and care for those nearest and dearest
to him, he retired to private life ; to
fulfill his pledges to constituents, he
declined honorable and high positions.
He has resisted firmly the seductions of
lattery, and when grave and more ex-
rerienced men yielded to the allure
ments of interest, or were influenced
by the appliances Of the hungry leeches
Of the public treasury, he was the CEN
sor, rebuking the departure from the
principles of the fathers, and calling
men back to the fundamental doctrines
Of economy, sobriety and frugality in
the management of the affairs of the
government. In the early prime Of his
manhood, we find him invoking reve-
renee for years and services, and hold
ing up to rebuke and Indignation the
attempt to bring into disrespect with
the people men that had dedicated to
them long years Of service. Is he not
a character fitted for this critical emer-
gency Of IL history, when factions
rend the land, and the two portions Of
our Confederacy are looking threaten
ingly into each others faces? On the
one side, a fierce and bitter determina-
ton to impress an iron law upon all
these States and on the other, an equal
determination TO resist unto the death
this attempt at domination.
There are, indeed, other parties and
other candidates, but the contest must
ultimately be between these two. Who
can doubt the devotion of John G.
Breckenridge to the Constitution and
the Union of these States? Who can
doubt that he will administer the Gov
eminent, if elected to the Presidency,
with a firm and vigorous hand with a
lofty patriotism with a purity and a
, forecast worthy the early days Of the
! Republic?
! 1t is right that the young man who
defended age and service should suc-
; coed one of the very eminent men he
defended, and that he should do so at
7 a period Of life when a mature judg-
ment and a large experience are united
with the highest physical strength and
! development.
n We will relate an incident which &C.
l Cured during the last days of that dis
tinguished man, Henry Clay, which,
N while it illustrates his sagacity, the
: subsequent career of the youthful
q Breckenridge attests the truth of his
prophetic remark.
A gentleman who was constantly
e with Mr.. Clay during his last illness,
states that, upon going into bis room
= one day, he found Mr.. Breckenridge sit.
If ting by the bedside of the dying states
man. reading aloud to him. After Mr..
n Breckenridge left the room, Mr.. Clay
y said:
"That young man is serving now his
first term in Congress (; | perceive in
him so much judgment and talent, so
e many of the elements Of true states.
manship, that | clearly ~foresee he will
l. yearly grow in the confidence and es
teen Of his countrymen, and eventu'
e ally receive the highest honors it is in
g their power to bestow."
The prediction, now partly accom-
plished, will doubtless be completely
n fulfilled in November next, when the
IS people speak their sentiments at thu
N ballet-box.
| In the glowing language of the clio
d quent and gifted K~entuckian, let GU
d motto be 1.-THE CONSTITUTION AND TIL
n Equality OF THE STATES THESE ARE TIL
g SYMBOLS OF EVERLASTING UNION LIE
% THESE BE THE RALLYINa CRIES OF TIL
I'd PEOPLE"
r.
~ THOMAS