The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-05-26
fCourier-Journal, 18th
Our Dead Hero.

Gen. JOHN c. BREcKINRIDGE is dead.
Amer long and painful illness, he expir.
ed yesterday surrounded by relatives and
friends who gathered about the chamber
of death to soothe with the consultations
of love the dyiag hour Of one Of the no.
blest and most heroic OF the sons OF men
A sketch Of his life and public services
we give elsewhere; but no mere sketch
can be adequate to convey a full idea OF
the genius and character of the great
Kentuckian who has just passed away
from earth. The more private incidents
OF his career which are now crowding in
mournful procession upon the mind oil
those who were most intimately associat-
el with him during his stormy aud event.
ful life illustrate more wildly than public
acts tue elements of that singularly noble
and generous character which is now
committed to the judgment OF history and
posterity 1t is the motive always that
imparts tie color TO the deed, and if the
impulses which prompted every step OF
the departed statesman and soldier were
disclosed by those whom he admitted to
mis- confidence, the world would then, and
then only, appreciate the virtue and value
of that chivalric soul that yesterday took
its eternal fight from earth.
1t is with q mournfal tenderness that
we recall the familiar traces of those
strikingly handsome and expressive fea~
lures which marked him as one of the
most commanding of men. We dwell
with affectionate feelings upon the strong
and noble face, the burrows of the cheek,
the clear cut lines of the mouth, the large
and eloquent eyes, as the portrait bends
down upon us from the gallery of menu
DRY. And as We are reminded that the
picture has vanished from the real world
that the imposing form has passed from
us forever into the ruin of decay, we are
filled with a sorrow that almost dlsQuali>
fies us for the work of skeIehing a charae-
ter so exalted and Of embslming a mem
DRY so majestic
In disposition be was as gentle and ten>
der as a child. Neither penury nor Attic
ton, nor disappointment, nor abuse, nor
prescription, nor neglect, could disturb
his sedaie and equable temper. just as it
was when he presided over the Senate as
the most popular Vice President of the
United States. it remained when he had
returned from exile, reduced in fortune,
WIN hte CdIlN hOpCc cl1ChCu lu uclcdl.
and with all his early aspirations fading
before the darkness Of an august calam-
ity.
JOHN Z. BRECKENRIDGE was not without
ambition, but it was not I'll e ambition that
sought the monument for the monument
sake. 1t was the sublime aspiration OF a
generous mind which possessed faculties
transcending all professional limitations,
and which pinned only for wider fields OF
usefulness and nobler theaters of action.
Enthusiastically nominated for President
against his earnest protest by the Balti-
more Convention, but approaching the
peril to his country, which he foresaw
would result from division in the DEM
ocratic party, be commissioned friend
TO visit Mr.. DOUGLAS and suggest that both
withdraw from the contest that a CON-
promise candidate might be selected who
would be able to restore harmony and in
woke peace. He was always the master
and not the slave of that love Of fame
which MILTON tells us is 1.-THE sublime in
trinity of noble minds" ale tasted o.
the cup of CIRcE, but he was fascinated
by its sweetness He subordinated every
aspiration to duty. and obeyed its call
whether it directed him along the fiowery
paths of successful enterprise or over for,
bidding walks which led him only to pen
ury and persecution. We see him, one
of the most graceful and powerful orator.
of the Senate, with the dazzling splendol
Of an almost unparalleled career befor'
him, turning with disdain from the troph'
les offered by new and triumphant party
aud preferring to cast bis lot with a caus'
cousecrated by his conviction and hallow
ed by his love of right, but which, will
prophetic vision. he early saw could onl,
reward him with the pains and OF PEN
allies prescription. He was devoted TO tn,
old flag, but he refused, in the presenc
Ct the assembled Senate ito follow it owe
the ruins OF the Constitution. He scorned
alike the gold and the elephants of PYR
RHUs.
1t is only in such conflicts Of duty will
ambition that true heroism lie manifested
and the nobleness of great nature dis
closed Il is easy to follow duty wher