Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-06-29


Antccedents of the Nominees OF the
National Democracy.
We have room only for brief sketch |
of the ticket presented by the National
Democracy, which closed its deliberations
at the Maryland Institute, in the city Of
Baltimore, on Saturday evening last:
MR.. BRECKENRIDGE.
John c. Breckenridge il thirty-nine
years old and Vice President of the Uni
ted States, He is a Kentuckian, born
near Lexington, January l6, 1921, and
is a scholar, lawyer and soldier. For
these pursuits he was educated at Centre
College, Princeton, Pennsylvania Insti-
tute. and ON the field in Mexico, where
he served as major of Infantry After
the close Of the Mexican war, he return
ed to his practice at the bar, but was
soon elected TO the Legislature Of Ken
lucky, aud very soon after that again to
the National House of Representatives,
where he served from 1851 to 1S55.-
During the latter period he was offered
the mission to Spain by President Pierce
This was gllttering temptation to SO
young a man, but after short reflection,
the prefer was modestly but firmly de.
elined, because his business and personal
affairs required home attention, and be-
cause Of his desire to Withdraw for time
from public life. This purpose he obey
ed until the Cincinnati convention in
1896, by its spontaneous suffrage, after.
wards confirmed by the people, made him
Vice President of the United States. -
BY virtue of this Office he is now pres-
ding over the American Senate. His
term docs not expire until the Sd Of
March, 1861. but be has already been
returned to the Senate to represent the
State of Kentucky from that day until
March 3D., 1867.
Major breckenridge is in person about
six feet high, with 1.-THE, well-knit,
graceful form, moulded for activity and
strength. His first election to Congress
was a wonderful achievement The dis
trict for which he was returned was the
district and home Of Henry Clay, man
for whom Major 3. always entertained
au exalted opinion. The district was
wbig by a majority Of sixteen hundred.
Ills competitor, General Leslie Coombs,
was one Of the shrewdost tacticans aud
hblest debaters in Kentucky Yet, Mr..
Breekinridge, beating down this heavy
majority and this strong antagonist was
elected by majority Of more than five
hundred. The result was subject of
remark in all political circles. In his
second canvass the wings eyineed reso-
lutte purpose to recover the district, and
brought into tho field Governor Letcher
an experienced pagner-of great
ability and established reputation, and
altogether the strongest wing in the State
The canvass was of the hottest kind, and /
as many viii remember. the interest and |
excitement spread over the whole coun-
try. But the second victoy of the ris-
ing young democrat was even more sig
nal than the first
Following this came the profered mis-
sion to Spain and It's modest declinature.
Then the spontaneous call to the Vice
Presidency, then his election to the Sen
ate, and now his nomination for the Presi-
dency.
GENERAL LANE.
Gen Joseph Lane, the candidate for
Vice President on the ticket with Mr.. I
Breckinridge, is native of North Car
DINA, aud is in the 59th year Of his age.
AT an early age his father settled in Ken
lucky, but shortly afterwards the subject
Of this sketch settled in Indiana, where |
he became mercantile clerk until 1922, |
when barely of age he was elected to the
Legislature, aud was reelected for a pc
riod Of twenty four years. In 1916, on
the breaking out Of the Mexican war, he
resigned his seat in the Indiana Senate,
aud entered Capt Walkers company of
volunteers as a private, lie was, how
ever, before leaving for the seat of war,
unanimously elected Colonel Of the Inii-
aoa Regiment, aud in few days after
was appointed by President Polk as Brig
adler General. lie immediately Joined
Gen Taylor on The Brazos.
The heroic conduct of Gen. Lane
throughout the whole war, both under
Gen. Taylor and Gen. Scott, gained for
him tho proud title of the g Marion of
the army" At the close of the Next
can war he returned to Indiana and fol-
lowed the pursuit Of farmer, but was
soon appointed Governor of Oregon,
whittier he proceeded overland in advance
Of the expedition Of Col. Fremont, SO
many Of whose men persisted on the route.
Gen. Lane performed the trip in six
months, although several of his men,
fearful Of starvation. deserted. Gen. J.. |
served as Governor Of Oregon until the
election of Gen Taylor, when he was
superseded, but soon after be was elect /
ed delegate to Congress, and in 1859, |
when the territory was admitted as a
State, he was elected United States
Senator, seat be still holds.