Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1860-08-11
JOHN O. BRECKENR1DoE.

itence When MS neHtc vas presented to the
Democratic Convention at Cincinnati. it crea
ted such burst Of enthusiasm as is seldom
witnessed in public asseInbicS
John C. Breckenridge il the only son Of
large family, and born at Lexington, Kentucky,
January 10th, 1921. His father, j. Cabell
Breckenridge, was distinguished member of
the legal profession, and prominent politician
Of Kentucky, where he was much beloved md
esteemed. He died in 1929. at the nge Of 35,
while Secretary Of State under Governor Adair
He had inherited inrge estate, which he in.
creased by his industry and ability, but 1t was
all swep. away about the period Of his death
by liabilities incurred through his generous
readiness to aid his friends. The failure Of
those for whom he had become surety involved
his own pecuniarv ruin. His wife, daughter
OF Rev. Samuel Stanhope Smith, President Of
Princeton College, ~ D., ard granddaughter
OF John WitherSpoon, n former president Of
the same institution, and one Of tho signcrs Of
the Declaration Of Independence, j. still living
Young Breckenridge received his education
at Centre College, Kv., living in the family of
the president, Rev. John &. Young, his broth
eT-in-law,- and graduated with honor in the
Autumn OF 1888. He next spent few months
at Princeton, n. j., as n resilient graduate,
then studied law at Frankfort KY, with Jutlgc
Owsly, attended The lectures IF the Lexington
Law School, and received a license in the
Spring Of l94l. With finished classical and
/ professional education, full Of honorable ainbi.
ton, and determined 10 make his way in the
world by his own exertions, without calling
on his friends for aid or influence, he invested
the trifng remainder Of those resources which
had been economical In complete his educa.
tion, in the purchase Of horse and saddle.
bags, and crossed the Ohio river. After trav.
erSing Indiana and Illinois, he finally conclu-
dcd 10 settle at Burlington, in the territory Or
Iowa, in November, lS4l. There he lived for
two years, practising law with marked SUCCESS,
and roughing il after the fashion Of Youngsters
! in new country. In 1913 he returned to his
native State to visit his mother and sisters,
and married Miss Mary c. Buch, whose an.
cestcrs were from Virginia, aud among the
first pioneers Of Kentucky.
Mr.. Breckenridge row yielded 20 the urgent
desire Of his relatives and friends that he
should return and pitch his tent in Kentucky
for life. In 1917 his old and legal prcccpter,
then Gov. -OWSly, rendered him the raIk Of
major in one Of the Kentucky regiments called
out to assist General Scott, in Mexico. These
regiments were enlisted for the duration Of the
war. As soon as their organization was com.
! petcd they repaired to the scene Of action,
landing ut Vera Cruz, and marched u the
capital. But like many other Of their com
rades in the field, the fine brigade from Ken
tucky was not destined to exhibit their gal
lantry under fire. They arrived in time to
see the American flag waving over the rnythic
Halls Of Montazumas," but not to assist in
planting it there. Major Breckcnrdge's rrgi
ment suffered severely from the effects of the
climate, and returned home ai:p. having lost
one-(ourth Of their original number, which was
one thousand men. from disease. WhLe-ia
Mexico, Major Breckenridge made many warm
friends among the officers Of the army, and
established an honorable reputation as a sol
dier and n gentleman. AT the conclusion Of
this dramatic episode in his career, he return.
ed to the practice Of the lnw in Lexington,
where he greatly distinguished himself, at n
! bar renowned for the >iGarning, tloqucncr and
acumcn ofitS members. IN 1881 he was elected
to the State Legislature from the strong Wing
county Of Fnyctte IN thi| new sphere he cS.
tablished at once brilliant reputation. Frank
and fearless In manner, thoroughly posted up
on every question Of the day, clothed in an in
vulnerable logic, and q master Ut the arts Of
attack and defence, he cxtorled admiration
from those even who felt the kecnnrSs of his
weapons. His distinguished ability caused
his patty to select him aS their rchampion in n
congressional election and he accepted the
popular nomination. twas then hazardous
undertaking TO attempt to make head against
the local numbers Of the opposition. Thc
Whig majority in the district was from thou
sand to fifteen hundred, and breckenridge was
opposed by General Leslie CoombS a very
strong man. A long and exciting canvass fol-
lowed but the result was the election of the
Democratic candidate by majority of So L.
Mr.. breckenridge debut in the national legis.
lature was as brilliant aS has been that in the
Kentucky House. Ills talents and power were
Immediately recognized, and he became al
once n marked man. The first time we saw
him was in the House Of Representatives
about the close Of his first term. His fine
manly appearance had attracted our attention.
and we inquired his namo OF n shrcwd old
politician, long a resident at Washington.-
THAT man." said he, "is John {. Brccken.
ridge, Of Kentucky, who will one day, if he
lives, be President of the United Statn.. -
And this was not the impression produced on
an individual mind. nnnen, when speculation,
were INDUCED ir with regard TO the future OF
politics. when it was asked who in intellect
wcrs hit to succeed the statesmen passing from
the stage, the Clays, the WebSterS, the Cal
nouns tne DentOnS, tEe name OI DfeCkenrluSt
was always mentioned as that of one on wholr
the mantle Of departed greatness would res
gracefully and worthily.
The rising fame and power Of the Kentucky
representative alarmed the opposition, and il
1853 the Wings, in formal convention, sclectct
as his opponent Governor Il. p. Letcher, their
most available representative, a man Of grea
popularity and great adroitness, and who like
wise enjoyed the prestige uf never having beer
beaten. lie had carried the State for Cover
nor by 10000 majority. The Wings boaster
that they would redeem" the district. ant
they left no stone untafHed to accomplish thei
, vaunL The canvass was the hottest eve
known in the State. Governor Lctcher preach
ed crusade against the Democrats, and pro
claimed it as his mission "to rescue the grav
, of Clay from the intdels." In the sccont
representative election Mr.. Breckenridge
majority over Mr.. Letchcr was 52O. Hi
speeches in Congress- which have been widely
circulated by tho Democratic press. explain
his popularity and his success. Their senti
! ments arc thoroughly national, and his opin
ions are defended with rare ability and elo
quence. Among his numerous and brillian
+ speeches. that on the Nebraska bill, delivered
S March %, 1854, has often been referred to a
masterpiece Of sound and conclusive rea
! soning and of high.toned oratory; character
/ iStic, however. OF all his efforts, and Of whc!
! We trust to give specimens at sonAe fctur
time. It produced profound impression il
D the House, and carried dismay into the rank
.fA e u. A.A E,n,