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

| was known as the autnOr ana advocate OF
the Resolutions OF 1859" In the Vir-
ginis Legislature. General Breckin-
ridge graduated at Center College,
Danville, KY, in September, 1889. He
studied law at the Pennsylvania Institute,
and, after being admitted to the bar, re-
moved to Burlington, Iowa, where he
practiced his profession. He soon return.
ed to Kentucky, however, married Miss
Mary Burch, of Georgetown, and made
Lexington his home for the remainder of
his life. Toward the close of the war with
Mexico, in 1S47, he entered the military
service of the United States, and was elect
ed major of the Third regiment of Ken>
lucky volunteers. The regiment was mus
tered late, so that he had but little oppor,
tunity for active service. When on duty
in Mexico, however, he was employed as
counsel of General Pillow in the series of
singular prosecutions between that officer
and his associates and superiors.
HIS ENTRANCE INTO POLITICS.
Shortly after his return in lS49. he was
elected as Democrat to the House of Rep
resentstives from Fayette county. This
was his introduction into political life, and
in this capacity he was fret given oppor~
tunity to exhibit his powers as a debater.
He rapidly rose to National distinction
In 1851 he was elected to the Federal Con-
gress from the Ashland district, (the "Clay
district"( after an exciting contest, over
General Leslie Combs. The district was
Wing, and General Combs the devoted
friend of Henry Clay. In 1858 he was
reelected, defeating ex-Gov. Robert P.
Letcher, whom the opposition put forward
as their strongest man. The struggle in
this canvass was violent and protracted,
yet his remarkable vigor and perseverance,
together with the popular admiration for
his abilities, overcame all obstacles.
| HIS CAREER IN CONGRESS
1t was not long before the name of
Breckenridge was in the mouths, so 10
speak, Of all reading people. His notable
encounter with the democratic Review"
first brought him into prominent notice
On the 29th of june, 1852, the great soul
Of Henry Clay took its fight from earth,
and on the succeeding day Breckenridge
introduced in the House the resolutions of
respect to the memory of the great COM
moner, accompanied by an eulogy of the
character and virtues OF the dead states
man unsurpassed for the pathetic beauty of
its sentiments He laid the fullness of his
young and high-beating heart on the grave
Of Clay. Standing in the presence of the
august dead, with all the memories of its
past about him, "the mere legerdemain of
politics" appeared contemplate to him.
What a reproach was Clay's life on the
false policy which would trifie with great
and upright people "If we're to write
his epitaph," said Breckenridge, 81 would
inscribe, as the highest eulogy, on the
stone which shall mark his resting place,
Here lies a man who was in the public
service for fifty years, and never attempts
ed to deceive his countrymen.'
Though he did not seek TO be constant
ly before the House, he took a very dis
tinguished position, and often in debate
was sharp and effective
Mr.. Giddings, of Ohio, on the 10th of
March, 1852, while discussing the Com
promise Measures and Fugitive Slave
Law, denied that the Federal Government
had power to pass laws "by which 10 COM
pei our officers and people to seize and
carry back fugitive slaves" Mr.. Breck,
Inridge briefly pushed him into an enun-
citation of his most extreme doctrines, and
then said. Against the impotent rawlings
of his baffied fanaticism | place the plain
words Of the Constitution. To his coarse
and offensive language l have no reply"
With the debate on the Nebraska bill,
Gen. Breckinridges name is intimately
woven. 1t was during this discussion that
his difficulty with Hon. Francis B CUT
ting of New York took place. On the
2lst of March, Mr.. Richardson, desiring
to reach the Nebraska bill, heretofore re-
ported by him, moved the House to 90
into the Committee of the Whole on the
State of the Union. After some slight
discussion, the motion was lost Having
proceeded with the business on the Speak
er's table, several small bills were taken
up and referred, and the Nebraska bill
reached by title. Much feeling was man.
ifested, and all seemed to regard this as a
crisis. Mr.. Richardson and Mr. Cutting
rose together The former moved to re-
fer to the Committee on Territories; the
latter moved to refer to the Committee of
the Whole on the State of the Union
The Speaker recognized the member from
| Illinois, and the member from New York
raised a point OF order Richardson said
his purpose was to amend the bill, and
that Cuttings course would kill it. Mr..
Cutting persisted in his motion, and sup
ported it by a speech, disclaiming any dis
respect to Mr.. Richardson as Chairman
Of the Committee on Territories, and sta
ting that it was understood that that com.
mittee had already discussed and elabora-
ted the subject. He was opposed to put
ting it again through the circuitous mode
OF referring it to them, and having it on
the Speakers table as it was to-day. The
North was in state of civil instruction
since the introduction of the bill; and he
thought it was time, not for parliament
airy tactics, which give rise to suspicion,
but for full, frank and manly discussion.
He was in vain appealed to; he would not
withdraw; and, his motion being passed,
he clinched the vote by moving to recon-
slider. and then laying the motion on the
| table.
Mr.. Millson, of Virginia, having
brought up the Nebraska matter in a dis
cussion on the Indian appropriation bill,
on the 23d, was followed by Mr.. Hunt, of
Louisiana, 1.-TWO enemies of the bill'' hav-
ing precipitated the debate on the House
Gen. Breckenridge entered the lists in a
memorable speech, in which he strongly
stigmatized the course of Mr.. Cutting
THE gentleman may be for the bill, )" he
said, "but his voice is that OF an enemy"
He warned the friends of the measure
from following the member from New
York. whose course would kill it, and pre-
ferred to have a score of open enemies
than professed friend who struck in the
manner he did.
On the 9th, Mr.. Cutting replied at