The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-06-29
The Two Breckinridges.
BY JOIN W. FoRNEY.

An extraordinary family Is this of the
Breckinridges. They have all been leaders,
either in politics or In the Presbyterian
church. FAIR and honest In their dealings,
chivalric and courteous ia their intercourse
with others, il was reserved for the rebellion
70 witness the first real difference ON public
questions between themselves. The eldest
survivor of the name, the chairman of the
National Union Convention, just noticed, pre-
serves the honor OF its progentors while that
young man, upon whom DO many hopes were
built when he entered Congress in 1851, and
was chosen Vice President in 1S56-driven,
let US believe, more by association than by
principle-forgets all the examples and teach
ings OF his great uncle, and, sword Ia hand,
leads the embattled hosts of slavery. Ii is
not difficult to suppose that the heroic clergy
man feels the detection OF bis nephew most
keenly. For, in truth let IL be spoken, there
vas too much love In John Cabell Breckin-
ridge Never have met a man more adapted
by nature, by education, and by rearing, TO be
a iavorite among men and women. He was
the type Of manly beauty when l made his
acquaintance fourteen years ago. At that
time, II he had conscientious feeling, it was
hatred to slavery, and both OF US, Democrats
as we were, frequently confessed that il was a
sinful and an anti-Democratic institution, and
that the day would come when IL must be
peaceably or forcibly removed. How could
II be otherwise with him, with such parent
age, and such q school-master as his uncle
Robert? But the fascinating society Of the
Southern magnates was too much for young
John. They saw that he bad bright future.
And having taken the one wrong step, he was
too proud to retract.
shall never forget my last interview with
John Z. Brecknridge. IL was on the evening
OF the 9th of August, 1861, being the last day
Of the memorable called session which was
assembled on the 4th day OF July of that year
by Presidential proclamation. Widely as we
had differed, our personal relations were un-
changed. He knew how sincerely grieved
was when, as early as 1865. he allowed Mr..
buchanan and the extreme South to force him
Into the support OF Lecompton, and how re-
iunctantly, In the black and bitter years that
succeeded, felt constrained TO denounce him
In the called session he had led the opposition
TO Mr.. Lincoln with vehement, unjust, ard
unsparing ability. Apd now he was going 10
Kentucky. "Good-by," he said; "Good-by'
mo-, SAID, mot 'Good-by,' Breekinridge
but farewell fon VIII never again take your
seat in the United States Senate" He seemed
TO be surprised, as he said: sWhat DO YOU
mean? will undoubtedly return to my post
In December" mo, nay dear sir, you viii
follow your doctrine into the Confederate ar
my; you will go 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 go over to The
lines 1t will be to bring back with me my run
away son, Cabell, who has gone into the othe
army wholly against my will; but we shal
meet II we live, In the winter.v II wish i
could be so, my friend" was my reply; "bu
still feel that your good-by will be loni
farewell" And this was the last Of John G
Breckinridge. His oath to support the Con
stituiion Of the United States, like Heste
Prynne's scarlet letter, burns an eternal re
proach on the record OF the Senator. Hi
sword with slavery and rebellion.