Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-01-11
HON. J. G. BRECKINRIDGE.

The Louisville Ky.) Journal although bitterly
opposed in politics to the new Senator elect rom
Kentucky, pays him the following just and meriteo
tribute:
The Democratic Legislature Of Kentucky to-day
elected John G. Breckenridge to the Senate OF the
United States for the full term, beginning the 4th
of next March, on the expiration of the term OF our
illustrious Crittenden. The proud honor is not un
deserved. Mr. Breckenridge, we are sure, will wear
it gracefully High minded, able, polite eloquent
and chiyalrous his election whilst it confers honor
to him. sheds lustre on his party. May ne SO bear
himself in his high office that not even the breath OF
calumny shall blot or cloud his name
Mr. Breckenridge was born in the neighborhood
of Lexington, in 1921. He, accordingly, is 90 years
of age; but a single year more than onehaI the
age of the venerable and glorious statesman ne sue
ceeds Mr. B. is a nephew of Robert j. Breckln-
ridge the distinguished Presbyterian divine, and
grandson of John Breckenridge, who represented
Kentucky in the Senate of the United States from
1901 until 1906, and was subsequently Attorney
General under Jefferson Mr.. Breckenridge was ed
ucated at Centre College Danvle, under the pater-
nal care of DIR. Young, who, if report speaks truly,
bestowed very especial attention on the intellectual
training of his pupil On leaving college, Mr. B. studi-
ed law at Pennsylvania and after removed to the
new State of Iowa. with view of pursuing his pro-
fesson in that fresh and tempting field of ambition.
He, however remained there but short time
At this period of his life Mr.. Breckenridge was a
Wing in politics. condition that well befitted one
of his sound Abilities finished culture, and pure and
captivating character
Returning to Kentucky, Mr.. Breckenridge married,
and settled at Lexington, where he quickly assumed
a high position in his profession, which perhaps
nothing but the diversion of politics has prevented
him from carrying to the highest. When the Mexi-
can war broke out he offered his military services
to the country, and was elected Major Of the third
regiment of Kentucky volunteers
Like many other ardent young officers IN the war
with Mexico, Mr. Breckenridge returned to find a
political career spread out before him. Entering
upon it with modest yet confident step, he has,
we need hardly say, trodden it up to this moment
steadily and proudly, without stumbling of Stacker
ing.
Not long after his return from Mexico, Mr.. Brock
inridge, who meanwhile had become Democrat,
was elected to the Legislature from the county Of
Fayette, together with Henry c. Pindell, ESQ.,, a
gifted young Wing lawyer, resident of our
city, and still Wing In 1851 MIR. b. chosen
to the lower house of Congress the veteran
and gallant Combs. Two years later he achieved q
similar triumph over Gov Letcher, of the wises
men and most Formidable popular canvassers that
Kentucky has produced.
President Pierce afterwards offered Mr. Breckin-
ridge the mission to Madrid, which he prudently de-
clncd His forte is evidently not diplomacy, but
oratory and debate or, if diplomacy it is domestic
diplomacy, not foreign. In 1856, as all know, Mr..
Breckenridge was elected Vice President of the Unit
ed States, on the Democratic national ticket.
Such is the rapid, brilliant, and uncouded career
which the Democratic Legislature Of the State to-
day crowns with the serene and lofty splendor Of
the Senatorial dignity.