Gazette and sentinel., 1860-08-18

found in the front rank of the armies
of the Republic. The glorious yet
mournful history Of Bucna Vista espe'
cially rejoiced and saddcned the heart
of Kentucky. There many of hcr
bravest SONS, her ClayS, her Mckees,
her Hardins, slept their last sleep. 1t
was resolved that their remains should
be gathered up, taken to the capital,
and there consigned to the tomb amid
the tears of the people, and with all
the SulemHiticS which reverence and
love could dictate. Mr.. Breckenridge
was the orator of the occasion, AMI
pronounced Il most admirable and at
fecting culogy. A call was SOM made
upon kentucky for additional troops.
1t was deemed a critical and turning
point of the war. Gen. Scott had adj
vanced npon the City of Mexico. His
rear was in possession of the enemy.
His troops had been greatly reduced in
battle and by disease. Largee and
more perilouS movements were in on
temptation. Under these circumstances
Mr.. Breckenridge volunteered, and re-
ceived from his old ~preceptor, Governor
Owsley, the only commission of field
officer conferred by him upon a Demo
crat, viz that of Major. On reaching
the City of Mexico, in December, he
found the war virtually at an end, and
the reg ment to which he belonged was
employed in garrison duty, to hold the
City OF Mexico and to protect its inhab-
itants from piIlage and disorders. Dur
ing his stay in the City Of Mexico, Gen.
Pillow was tried by a Court of Inquiry.
Major Brcckinridge's fine legal talents
were required on that occasion, when
he distinguished himself by his able
and successful defense of General Pill
low.
At the close of the war he rcioined
his family and resumed his profession.
Frank, manly, generous and just, with
a heart that never throbbed with one
pulsation save for the honor ami wei
fare of his country, he soon became a
great favOrite with the people, who.
fully approaching his commanding tai
euts and noble qualities, called him
from retirement to represent them in
the Legislature of the State. Although
the county was opposed to him in poll
tics, being Wing by a large majority,
yet such was the admiration of the
people for the sterling qualities Of his
heart, and the brilliant character Of his
mind, that he was elected in the year
$40, by a decisive majority, over his
Wing competitor. Among the fore
most in fupport Of Mr.. Breckenridge
was that unrivaled orator, Henry Clay.
who abjured his politics TO pay a just
to the worth and ability of the
gallant young kentuckian.
Upon the meeting of the Legislature
ne was honored with the Democratic
nomination for Speaker, and received
unanimous vote of his party. His
term of service was brief, but he left
upon the Legislature the impress of his
elOquence and talents, by his able ad-
vocacy Of the cause of education. in
improvements, and every other
measure which tended to promote the
cause of moral and material progress.
this session he introduced a
series of resolutions, affirming many
Of the principles subsequently, enacted
into the compromise legislation of
1850, and they received the support of
entire Democratic party in the Lee
giSlature.
Duty to his young and growing fam.
lily required that he should return to
his profession, when he declined a re-
/; but the people, quick to dis
;ern and prompt to reward true worth
md true greatness, would not permit
to pursue that course which the
i~ictates Of his sound Judgment and
lifcctionatn heart had marked out for
himself. In January, ls4I, the Hon.
!. W. Powell was nominated as the
Democratic candidate for Governor
fielding to the urgent solicitations of
us personal friends, and the pressing
demands of n of the most enlight,
ned constituencies in the world. who
'ssured him that his candidacy would
Materially aid Mr.. PowelIs election. he
eluctantly consented to become a can
ldate for Congress in the Ashland
district. 1t was a serious proposition.
young man, with a family depending
pom him for support, was called on to :
cad a forlorn hope, when defeat seemed
Inevitable Tho mama ar1 u
LAY hallowed the ground of contest in
he hearts of his devoted followers.
hey were loyal in their attachments
nd confident in their strength they
ad wealth, influence, numbers, and
hey would sacrifice all before the spot
f their idolatry should be profaned by
be triumphant march of those they