The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-05-22
Death Of an Ex-Vice President.

Death Of an Ex-Vice President.
John. e. Breckinridge, whose
death IS announced, was born near
Lexington, KY, January 2I,I82I.
He was lawyer by profession, and
when 26 years of age received
commission as Major Of regiment
of kentucky volunteers, that fought
in the Mexican war. In 1851 he
was elected to Congress; in 1853.
he was reelected, and in 1856, at
the age of 35, he was elected Vice
President OF the United States.
-Four years after, at the age of 50.
he was nominated for President
Breckenridge and Lane carried Ii.
Southern States, having y ELECTORAL
votes; Bell and Everett lrriel Krr-
tncky, Tennessee and Virginia hay
ing 80 electoral votes, and the
Douglas Johnson ticket had ma
iority il Missouri and New Jersey.
with l. electoral votes; while Lin
coin and Hamlin swept the Is North
ern States, all but New jersey, h4v-
ing $50 electoral votes, a majority
of 81 over all 9th rs.
Though Breckinridge lost his
State OH the electoral vote, he carri
ed the legislature and was elected to
the Uui'ed States Senate. In this
body, during the extra session which
lasted from Jnly 4th until August
9th, 1861, he aided the Confedpracv
and condemned the President for
calling ont the army and ordering
thenavy equipped 70 suppress the re-
bellion. His course showed what
calamity the people would have
suffered had he been placed in the
Executive Chair instead OF that far
nobier native OF Kentucky, the pat
rIotic Lincoln.
After the adjournment he made
the fatal mistake Of going over to
the confederacy, though his State
refused to secede. Thus he violated
his duty to the country that had
honored him with high office, and
disregarded the Fundamental prin-
clpleS of the extreme State Rights
theorists with whom he acted. He
was, in fact, "a man without a
country" and must have felt keenlv
the sarcasm of he Kentucky Union
lists who denounced him as traitor
to his native State, and to his prin-
ciple aud policy. He was appointed
a Brigadier by JEFF Davis, and was
promoted to the position of Major
General. He participated in the
battles of Baton, Rouge, Stone Riv-
er, Chickamauga, and New Market,
he was with Early in his attack on
Washington, in 1865, just before the
rebellion collapsed, he was appoint
ed Secretary of War, and as Cab
met officer, accompanied jeff Da-
Wis south in his flight. But he
parted with him in Georgia, went to
the coast, escaped in an open boat,
was picked up by British vessel,
and went to Europe, where he re-
NAMED until 1853. 1t is related
that, while thee, be was perplexel
to procure a passport, and finally
visited the United States Consul. /
One can easily imagine the feelings
of this proud Kentuckian as he
stood, an exile, before a represent
tative Of the United States. and con
tessed that he had forfeited his right
as citizen, adding: "In fact, Gen.
Post, | am a man without coun-
try"
During the war he was struck by
a fragment of shell, and the in
jury thus sustained, Of late became
painful, aud, despite the efforts of.
surgery, eventually proved fatal. .
lie died from the efecs of wound
received while fighting against the
Union.
General Breckenridge was man
OF commanding personal presence
anu universally podular His cary ca
reer was one Of the most successful
and promising in the history of.
American poIllics, and the last dark |
ened years OF his life should be a
warning TO his couutrymen. Had
he remained true 10 the Union he