The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-05-26
JOHN c. BRECKENRIDGE.

In the death Of John G. sBreckln-
ridge the country is called upon to
mourn the loss of a brilliant intellect
and gallant, noble and chivalrous
man. Descended from a family dis
tinguished in the annals of Virginia
and Kentucky, he more than sustain
ed its traditional fame. When bare
ly thirty years ofase he took his seat
in the House of Representatives, at
Washington, and there in a few
months attained the distinction OF
being one of the finest orators who
had ever risen within its wallis
When but thirty-six years old-just
constitutionally eligible - he was
honored by being chosen to the sec
ond office in the gift of the American
people-that of Vice-President of the
United States. The former genera
ton of Democratic politicians will
recall him in memory as he was at
that time, and when he arose in the
| Democratic National Convention at
Cincinnati to accept the nomination
which had been rendered him. He
was perfect specimen of manly and
physical beauty. His features ewere
classical; his head nobly intellectual,
and his figure was at once elegant
and commanding. His voice had the
silvery clarion ring that reminded
old Kentuckians Of Henry Clay in his
youth, whom, in many respects, Gen
eral Breckenridge strongly resem-
bled. There never was an instance
in the history of this country where
a citizen was so rapidly advanced on
the ladder of political eminence!-
Almost at a bound he had vaulted in
to that chair which other able states
men had devoted lifetime to secure
and failed in obtaining. In 1857
what splendid future was apparent
ly before the then Vice President
He was admired and idolized alike
by both sexes. He was the favorite
son of Kentucky, and from the Ohio
River to the borders of Tennessee,
from the mountains Of Virginia to
the Mississippi, he was pre-eminent
in the popular affection. Upon no
man had fortune so early in life been
so profuse in her gifts.
With an important exception we
can say, as Macauly said Of Lord By
ron: All the fairies had been hidden
to his cradle-one had brought an
cestral eminence; another great men
tai intelligence; another physical
beauty, and fourth every social
charm aud attraction. No malignant
elf, as in the case of Byron, who hay
ing been unlimited, from spite had
contriyed to mingle curse with ev-
cry blessing. If the close of his life
failed TO realize the bright anticipa-
tons Of his youth; if his sun finally
set under the clouds Of disappcint-
ment and apparent popular neglect,
it was owing to no fault Of his own,
unless it is fault to be true to one S
honest convictions. When the civil
war broke out John C. breckenridge
was IL member of the United States
Senate, just elected, having six years
to serve. This splendid position he
voluntarily relinquished, in order to
share in the dangers of the Southern
Confederacy, whose people he be-
lieved to be IN the right.
What man among them all sacri-
feed more than did John C. Brock
enridge when he took that which was
to be the fatal step of his life2 He
appreciated the momentous response.
bility, but he believed it was the
path which honor required, and he
fearlessly pursued it. In all the
great battles Of the war which were
fought west of the mountains, from
the river to the gulf, General Brock.
enridge was a conspicuous figure
He was the Chevalier Bayard of tn.
South. When it's cause was lost he
J returned to Kentucky with a consti
! tuition shattered by the exposures O
war, and with all hopes of Nationa
t distinction gone. He was simply {
: splendid wreck and monument of the
5 fraternal strife. It was a graceful
: compliment which was paid him the
other day when he was visited By
Vice President Henry Wilson, who
was Senator when he occupied thai
! position. Political asperities were
> forgotten, and the meeting was ahec
3 tionate and touching between the
! present and former Vice. Presidents
Z THE tiGlinps nf his Glecease NJ tho,