The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-05-19
John c.. Breckenridge.

The death of this eminent gentleman was
announced by telegraph on MONDAY. lie
died at home, in Lexington, KY, in the nifty
fifth wear of his age. His first experience IN
rub)c life was as a soldier. He was cieceu
4 major in q Kentucky regiment at Tue De-
ginning Of the Mexican war, ana served
through that war, but had little opportunity
for active service. After that war he was
member of the State Legislature OF Her
tuckv Tor time, and was sent to Congress
from his district in 1851. He continued Ill
Congress until 1856, when he was elected
Vice.Prcsident on BrCHANAN's ticket. In
1850 the sectional issues divided the Demo-
cratic party, and he was nominated by the
southern portion Of it for the presidency,
while the Union Democrats nominated
United Safes Senator S. A. DOUGLASS. LIN
colin was elected. The same year General
BRgczISeyDGg was elected United States sem
ator from kentucky. The South, except
Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mis-
souri,, voted for him for President. In the
disruption of the Union he came South and
entered the Confederate army, in which be
was promoted TO the rank Of major-gencral.
His military service was crcdtablc. Ia Jan.
ulyy, 60 the last year Of the war-he was
appointed Secretary Of War, and filled the
ctti:c at the time of the fall Of the Confede.
racv. His conduct on bat occasion was that
OF gentleman aud patriot. a false report
was for awhile ailoat that he had issued the
order that led to the burning Of Richmond.
II was soon dlsproved completely. He was
too calm and considcrate TO have been the
author Of any such mad order
General BRECKENRIDGE was statesman of
ability, and took Il high position in Congress
rs debater. lie had 4 personal difficulty
with that very talented congressman the
Hon. 8. F. CUTTING, of New York, growing
out Of the heated sectional discussions Of the
times. /, came near terminating in duel,
which was avoided by the timely interyen.
ton of friends. When Mr.. PIERCE came into
the presidency he rendered the distinguished
Kenruckian the mission to Spain, which he
declined.
After the fall of The Confederacy General
BREcKIsRIDGE went to Europe, where he re-
NAMED but short time. Upon his return
he directed his attention to local concerns in
Kentucky. He was chosen president of the
Lexington and Big Sandy road, in which pc.
sition he used all his Influence to advance the
road to completion.
Quietly employed in his exertions for the
local welfare, and lin his interesting social
relations, he remained in his native section
deeply concerned for his country. His case
was pronounced to be paralysis of the liver,
from q wound received in battle; but his
deep anxie,es contributed much TO impair his
health, and his manly and once robust frame
gradually yielded until he passed away very
resisnedly.
JouS {. BRECKENRIDGE was 4 man Of great
heart aud unbounded devotion TO his coun-
try. Ills sorrows were not embittered by
vindctyeGess. He !amented the evils he
fully understood, and his grief derived u
poignancy from sense Of his own feeble
ness at Il time Of such distress. He was one
0! the uoblest of the followers Of the south
ern cause, and no man had higher devotion
to the Constitution and the Union as framed
by the fathers of the republic.
The death of few men could be more re-
GREETED by the South, and we can hardly
suppose that his memory can be held ia any
light but that of respect by the people Of the
North.