The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-08-15
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
OF
HON. JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE

The history of John G. Breckenridge, tt
nominee OF the National Democracy, for tn
highest Office within the gift Of the America
people, is one of the most brilliant and success
ful in the annals of the distinguished men {
our country. He was descended from an ances
try, both on his paternal and maternal side, VIII
were distinguished in the wars of the Revolu
ton; in the subsequent political conflicts an
history Of the country, and especially distin
gaished ior their great services in the advance
ancnt of religion, learning and good morals Ii
Kentucky the name Of Breckenridge is held il
special veneration; for it is connected with tn
authorship OF the first regular constitution o
Kentucky and the celebrated State-rights reso
lutions Of 1898, and is also connected with tn
first efforts made in Kentucky to open the nav
igation Of the Mississippi to the great West
OF his ancestors on the maternal side are With
erspoon and Smith, the former a signer OF th'
Declaration Of Independence, and both Presi
dents Of Princeton College. The connection il
an extremely large one, and has been character
ized by patriotic and useful services through
several generations. He was born near Lexing
ton, Kentucky, on the 18th OF January, 1921
and, although not forty years Of age, is the sec
ond officer in the Governments position, it il
universally conceded, he fills with great ability
dignity and impariialty; and now, by the unan
imous voice OF his party, he is presented for the
first office--selected to bear their standard ir
the approaching Presidential contest, to con.
tead for those great constitutional principles o
justice, right and equality for which his fathers
struggled during the stormy days of the Revo
luton, and who dedicated the energies of their
gifted minds in the establishment and defining
the true principles of our glorious Constitution
under which we have grown from lew feeble
and sparsely -peoplcd colonies ts be great con-
federacy Of thirty three sovereign States, teem-
ing with population Of more than thirty mil
lions of free, prosperous, and happy people.
Mr.. breckenridge lost his father at an early
age, and with his mother and her four children
was left almost entirely dependent. With, how
ever, the generous aid Of relatives and his own
constant exertions, he was enabled to pass
through the necessary course OF studies requ.
red to enter upon the professional career he
had marked out for himself He graduated at
Centre College, Kentucky, in 1888, passed six
months as resident graduate in Princeton, pur-
sued his law studies under the instruction OF
Judge afterwards Governor) Ouwsley, and
completed them at the TranSylvana Law
School,
Admitted to the par in 1841, he determined
to try his fortune in new land. Accordingly,
with no heritage but his talents and fair name,
he set out in the fall of that year with iriend
and leisurely pursuing his way to observe the
country, he settled in Burlington, Iowa. 1t
was, indeed, the then far distant west; for Mr.
Breckenridge, during his two years residence
in Iowa, hunted the elk and buffalo on the site
of its present capital. Thus, in the earliest pc.
thrown uron the remote frontier; and he knows
from the warm and heartfelt associations of
those days, the patriotic, noble and self sacrii-
cling character of the American pioneer.
La 1913, on a visit to Kentucky, he address,
ed and married Miss Mary G. Burch, of Scott
county, his present wife, lady endeared to all
by her domestic virtues and er accomplished
manners. She was largely connected with the
influential families of Kentucky, aided by whose
influence the friends of Mr.. Breckenridge indu.
ced him to abandon the idea of returning to
Iowa. He settled in Georgetown, Kentucky,
and rose rapidly to distinction in his profession
But he early took part in the political contests
OF his State in 1874, canyassed it for MIR.
Polk, and from that period has borne promi-
nent share in every political conflict.
The Mexican war broke out, and the gallant
sons Of Kentucky were to be found in the front
rank Of the armies of the Republic. The go-
rious yet mournful history of Buena Vista es-
pecially rejoiced and saddened the heart of Ken
lucky. There many of her bravest sons, her
CIays, her McKees, her Hardins. sleep their
last sleep. 1t was resolved that their remains
should be gathered up, taken to the capital,
and there consigned to the tomb amidst the
tears Of the people, and with all the solemni-
ties which reverence and love could dictate -
Mr.. Breckenridge was the orator of the occa-
sion, and pronounced an admirable and most
affecting eulogy. A call was soon made upon
Kentucky for additional troops. 1t was deem
ed critical and turning point of the war. Gen.
eral Scott had advanced upon the city Of Mex.
ico. His rear was 10 possession OF the enemy
His troops had been greatly reduced in battle
and by disease. Larger and more perilous
movements were in contemplation. Under
these circumstances Mr.. Breckenridge yoIun.
teered, and received from his old preceptor
Gov. Ouwsley, the only commission as field Of.
fcer conferred by him upon Democrat, viz:
that Of Major. On reaching the city of Mexi-
co, in December, he found the war virtually at
an end, and the regiment to which he belonged
was employed in garrison duty to hold the city
of Mexico, and to protect its inhabitants from
pillags and disorders. During his stay in the
city Of Mexico, Major General Pillow was tried
by court Of inquiry. Major Breckinridge's
fine legal talents were required on that occasion
when he distinguished himself by his able and
successful defence Of General Pillow.
At the close Of the war he rejoined his fmi.
ly and resumed his profession. Frank, manly,
generous, and just, with heart that never
throbbed with one pulsation, save for the honor
and welfare Of his county, he soon became
great nyorIte with The people who b,,, m