The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-05-26

| due from one gentleman TO another"
This was understood to be challenge,
and Gen. Breckenridge named rifles at six.
ty PAGES. Col. Monroe, the friend of Cut
ting. claimed that the latter was the chal-
lenged party, and insisted upon pistols at
ten PAGES. This involved disp-te as to
which was the challenged party, md led
TO declaration by Cutting that his first
note Several had passed) was not chal-
lenge. On the 3lst, Gen. Preston inform
ed the House that Mr.. Cutting had left
the matter in the hands of Colonel Mon
roe, of New York, and General Shields,
United States Senator from Illinois, and
Gen. Breckenridge had referred 10 Colonel
| Hawkins, of Kentucky, and himself
(Gen. p. J; and he was authorized to state
that q settlement had been effected mu-
tually satisfactory and honorable TO both
parties. On the ps,t o: both gentlemen
he also offered an apology for any viola>
ton Of the rules of the House which had
taken place in the excitement Of debate.
! In Mr.. .Breckinridge's speech of the
2Sd, he declared himself in favor of a
perfect nonintervention, and said that he
would not vote for the bill il it proposed
to legislate slavery into Nebraska and
Kansas "The right to establish" said
he, involves the correlative right to pro-
hibit; and, denying both, | would vote for
neither. / go further, and express the
opinion that clause legisIsting slavery
into those Territories would not COM
mand one Southern vote in this House."
Abiding to the restriction of 1920, and its
Inconsistency with the Compromise of
1850. he said the effect of the repeal Of
the former was neither to establish nor
to exclude, but to leave the future condi.
ton of the Territories dependent wholly
upon the action OF the inhabitants, sub
ject only to such limitations as the FEEDER
al Constitution impose"
"Sir," he said in continuation, 'T care moth.
Ing about refined distinctions or the subtleties
| of verbal criticism. 1 repeat the broad and
plain proposition that if Congress may inter-
vene on this subject it may intervene on any
other; and having thus surrendered the princi-
pie and broken away from constitutional lin
itations, you are driven into the very lap of ar
bitrary power. By this doctrine you may erect
despotism under the American system. The
whole theory is q libel on our institutions. 1t
carries US back to the abhorent principles of
British colonial authority, against which we
made the issue of independence. have never
acquiesced in this odious claim, and will not be-
lieve that it can abide the test of public scru-
| tiny"
In recognition Of the young Kentuck-
ian's Identification with the views of the
Administration, President Pierce rendered
to him the mission to Spain; but the hon.
or was respectfully declined, family mat.
tiers compelling this course.
HIS NOMINATION FOR VICE PRESIDENT.
He was q delegate to the Cincinnati
Convention in June, 1856. After the
nomination of Buchanan for the Presi-
1ency, several names were offered for the
second office-among others that of John
c. Breckenridge, proposed by the LOUISE
ana delegation, through Gen. j. L. Lewis.
Acknowledging the fiattering manifesto
ton of good will, Mr.. Breckenridge begged
that bis name would be withdrawn. On
the first ballot, however, the Vermont del
egation, through Mr.. Smally, believing
that no Democrat has right to refuse his
services when his country calls, cast its
five votes for Breckenridge. Many other
States followed, and of the total be receiv
ed fifty-one votes, second on the list, and
only eight under the frst-General Quit
man. On the second ballot, Maine. New
Hampshire and Vermont led off for
Breckinridge; Massachusetts, followed with
eleven out Of thirteen votes; Rhode Island
followed with her four; then the New
York "Softs" gave him eighteen. Dela-
ware, Maryland and Virginia voting in
the same way, il became obvious that he
was the choice of the body; and though
several of the remaining States vol ed for
other candidates, they quickly, one by one,
changed their votes, the several delegates
making neat and appropriate speeches in
announcing the change. The names of
other candidates were Withdrawn. and the
whole poll went for John c. Breckenridge,
at which the Convention rose, and with
waving of handkerchief and the loudest
vocal demonstrations directed its atten.
ton upon the tall and graceful delegate
from Kentucky, who had been so unex,
pectedly nominated for so exalted a post.
1t was long before the demonstrations
subsidized so as to allow word 10 be heard.
At last the commanding figure of Breck>
inridge stood fronting the mighty triumph
1t certainly was time to try young man.
He spoke briefly and becomingly. The
result just announced was unexpected, and
his profound gratitude was without words.
He gave the convention the simple thanks
Of true heart; and. expressing his appre-
citation Of their first choice. and linking his
humble name with that of the statesman
of Pennsylvania, cordially endorsed the
platform, and sat down amid the booming
Of cannon and the vociferous applause Of
the multitude outside breaking in upon and
almost overpowering the loud cheers with
in the hall.
Three days after this exciting and graft
flying scene, his neighbors gathered to
congratulate him in Lexington, and he
then, in an address to them, reiterated the
views of his Nebraska-Kansas speech and
the platform upon which he was placed
before the people. Said he:
The whole power Of the Democratic organiza-
ton is pledged to the following Propositions
That Congress shall not interpOse upon this sub
ject in the States. in the territories, or in the
District Of Columbia; that the people Of each
territory shall determine the question for them
selves, and be admitted into the Union on a
footing of perfect equality with the original
States, without discrimination account Of the
allowance or prohibition Of slavery.
He was elected Vice President, having
received l73 votes, being so over William
L. Dayton, the Republican Candidate for
the same Office. Thus at the age of thir-
ty-five, he had served his country abroad,
had been a legislator in his State and in
the National Legislature, had been ten
dered the representation Of the republic
! in Europe, aud elevated to the second Of
flee in the gift Of the people. Truly
might the lines Of the poet be applied to
him:
lie is almost sunk