Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-07-02
SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 2, 1864.

either in politics or in the Presbyterian
Church. Fair and honest in their dealings,
chivalrc and courteous in their intercourse
with Others. il was reserved for the rebellion
to witness the first real difference on public
questions between themselves The eldest
survivor of the name, the chairman of the
National Union Convention, just nnticsd,
preserves the honor of its progenitors, while
that young man, upon whom so many hopes
were built when he entered Congress in 1851
and was chosen Vice President in 1856,
driven, let us believe, more by association
than by principle, forgets all the examples
and teachings of his great uncle, and sword
in hand leads the cmbattlCd hosts Of slavery.
1t is not difficult to suppose that the heroic
clergyman feels the detection of his nephew
most kcenly. For, in truth let it be spoken,
there was much to love in John Cabel
BreckinridEe Never have l met man
more adapted by nature, by education, and
by rearing, to be a iavorite among men and
women. lie was the type of manly beauty
when ! made his acquaintance fourteen
years ago. At that time, if he baG u con-
ScientiOus feeling, it was hatred of slavcry,
and both OF us, "Dcmocrats' MS we WERE
frequently confessed that it was n sinful and
an anti Democratic institution, and that the
day would come when it must be peaccably
or forcibly removed. How could it be
otherwise with him, with such a parcntagc,
and such schOolmaster rs his uncle Ro-
bert But the fascinating society of the
Southern magnatcs was too much for young
John. They saw that lie had a bright iu-
ture. And having taken the one wrong
step, he was too proud To retract
! shall never forget my last interview
I,l,p 4 4 hn
the creniu. of the 9th OF August, 1861, be-
ing the last day of the memorable called
session which was assembled on the 4th
day Of July Of that year by Presidential pro-
clumation. Widely as we had differed, our
personal relations were unchanged lie
knew how sincerely grieycd was when, as
early As 1888. he allowed Mr. Buchanan and
the extreme South to force him into the
support of LcCompton, and how reluctantly,
in the black and bitter years that succeeded,
| felt constrained tu denOuHCc him. In the
called session he had led the opposition to
Mr.. Lincoln with vehement, unjust, and un-
sparing ability. And now he was going to
Kentucky. Good bye" he said; Good bye"
No." | said, mot Good bye" Brcckinridgc,
but farewell. Iou will never again take
your seat in the United States Senate He
seemed to 3e surprised. US he said: What
do you mean will undoubtedly return
to my post in Deccmbern NO, my dear
sir, YOU will follow your doctrine into the
Confederate army; you will 90 there to
show that YOU are with the enemies of your
country" To which he answered. and
when he spoke the words | think he was
honest IF gn-ovcr the lines it will be
to bring back with me my runaway sou,
Cabcll, who has gone into the other army
wholly against my Will hut we shal! meet,
if we live, in the winter ~ wish it could
be so, my friend" was IN! reply; but still
feel that your goodbye will be II long fare
we'll And this was the last OF John c.
Breckinridne His oath to support the
Constitution of the United States, like Hes
ter Prynnc's scarlet letter, burns an eternal
rcproach on the record OF the Senator. His
sword is with slavery and rebellion.