The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1875-06-02
John c. Breckinridge.
Memphis Appeal.

Born of a family illustrious for
statesmen. divines and scholars, and
gifted beyond the conmon lot OF
public men, it could hardly be other.
wise than that he would signalize
himself as he did, and by dint Of
his attainments, in the face of fierce
arty opposition and the zeal of
almost ranaticaI followers of Clay.
achieve series oftrumplls thatnone
will now more willingly admit were
observed than those whom in the
days Of his young manhood he over
threw and ccnqured- His advance
was rapid. but it was won by hard
blows. The grandson OF one of Ken
tucly's earliest senators and attor-
general in Jefferson's cabinet
and surrounded by a family influence
of which any man IN gut feel proua.
he yet was the architect OF his own
fortune, and owned his snecess to
his own ability, and the personal
magnetism which enah!ed him 10
draw men to him and fasten them as
with hooks OF STEEL He was horn
near Lexington, Kentucky, January
Il. 1921. and was therefore in his
fifty-fourth year when called away.
Educated at Center college, Danville,
he entered the law department. of
'Transylvania University, whence lie
graduated. lie removed soon after to
Iowa, aud there eutered upon1the
practice of his. profession. but after
a short residence retnrnsd TO Lex
ingtou, where he married aud took
MP his residence, In. 1917. on the
declaration Of war with Nexico heing
announced. he volunteered, and was
elected major of the Third Kentucky
cavalry which he served until the
close. On his return he was elected
to the legislature, and 1851 defeated
General Leslie Combs. after a bitter
canvass, for congress, and was again
elected in 1888, after still more
violent opposition. He was nominal
ted by the Democratic party for
Vice-PresidentiL 1856, and was elect
ed with Nlr. Buchanan, taking his
place in the senate in March, 1857,
as the Youngest Tnau who had ever
presided over that august body.
With what Incompatible dignity and
ability he filled that high position let
the records speak. Even his enc.
mics confessed to the almost magic
of a manner that disarmed them aud
made them. if not his friends. at
least ardent admirers. In 1860 lie
was one OF the Democrotic candi-
dates for President. but being de-
feated, was elected United States
senator. The war between the States
found himin his place in the senate,
a warm advocate Of I he principles Of
which he had been made the head
aud front in political contest un-
paralleled for its closeness and the
heat with which it was conducted.
This did not suit the dominant fac
ton. and they expelled him from his
seat by strict party vote, treating
him with marked discourtesy and
inaccessible severity. He left his
home and at once promptly offered
his services TO the Confed deraey, be-
ing commissioned major general.
Assigned TO command he participa-
ted in all the great battles, affairs.
and slirmishess of the war until Feb
ruary. 1865. when he was confirmed
secretary Of war in the cabinet OF
President Davis. He was present
with General Joe Johnston when
that officer surrendered to Sherman.
and ratified the treaty" He re-
manned in the south until June of
that year, when he escaped to Cuba,
and thence went. to Europe, where
he resided until 1859. when he re-
turned to his home in Kentucky.
avowing it. his purpose thereafter
never to take any part in politics.
He engaged in the practice OF his
profession, and was for some time
connestedO officially with the Arlington
life insurance company. He retain.
ed the love Of bis fellow-citizens in
whatever capacity they fonnd him,
and until his last moment was regard,
ed bg thousands Of them rs the man
of their choice for the highest Office
in their gift whenever Opportunity
should otter. But their and ourhopes
are dashed. Al higher power has
spoken, and they and We. as be-.
must hulDbly bow aud bend.