Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-19
.1OHN c. BRECKENRIDGE.

The telegraph announces the death Of John c.
Breckenridge at Lexington, KY, Monday after
noon, after lingering illness, in the 5ith year of
his age, being born at Lexington, Ky, Jan. q,
1921. His family was one Of the most distin-
guished in the State, his grandfather having been
nted States Senator and Attorney General. He
was educated at Centre College, in that State, and
studied law at Pennsylvania institute, also in Ken
lucky. lie resided in Iowa brief time, and then
returned to Lexington, which has been his home
since that time. He served in the Mexican war as
Major of the third regiment Of Kentucky volun-
eers, but saw but little actual service his regi-
ment was mustered at a late period Of the war.
On his return he was elected to the State House
Of Representatives, where he first displayed his
fine powers as debatcr. In 1901, after an ani-
mated canvass, he was elected to Congress as
democrat over Gen. Leslie Coombs. In 1893 he
carried the election again over Gov Robert
Letcher. the contest being ono OF those peculiar
to the Southwest at that period, being violent and
protracted. In this contest he carried himself in
such manner as TO place himself among the fore
most of his party in Kentucky. President Pierce
offered him the Spanish mission, but he declined
it. At this time he was the most promising OF the
younger democrats of the nation, possessing the
confidence Of the party in both sections. In 1896
he was elected Vice President on the ticket with
James Buchanan. He presided in the Senate
with ability, though the youngest man who had
ever held the position. In the bitter contest which
followed between the two wings Of the democratic
party, the Buchanan and Douglas, he took moder-
ate ground with the former but was so discreet in
his course that he was undoubtedly the least OBJ
iectonable of any of the administration adherents
to the other faction. In the memorable contest
which began the rebellion-the Charleston Con
venion of April, 1862 he was one Of the strongest
anti-Douglas candidates. When the ultra pro-
slavery men, including b. F. Butler, JEFF Davis
and Caleb Gushing, seeded from the National
Convention, his name was so strong with the de-
mocracy Of the country that he was nominated as
the candidate Of the administration wing for Pres
ident.
In the contest which followed Breckinrdge re-
ceved 847 900 votes in popular vote Of ,6S6, QUO.
Failing of an election to the Presidency, he was
elected United States Senator from Kentucky and
took his seat on the 4th of March, 1861, when MIR.
Lincoln was inaugurated as President. lie at
once took sides with the secessionists, though not
so decided as others. Nevertheless his influence
was the worst possible for while he deplored dis
union, he professed that he saw no way to AVOID
it except in the complete surrender of the Lincoln
government to the demands of the slaveocracy.
He occupied his seat in the Senate until its ad-
journment, opposing measures for the defense OF
the Union and uttering sentiments which the reb-
ell sympathizers in the North heartily applauded.
When the federal forces took Paducah, KY the
papers of the knights Of the Golden Circle were
seized. Among these were documents impicat-
ing Breckenridge with those who were plotting to
overthrow the Lincoln government. Breckin-
ridge became alarmed, and escaped in disguise
from Frankfort, Ky, on the night Of Sept. 20,
1861, to the confederate lines. lilo was next heard
of advising with the rebel leaders, and soon after
issued an address resgning his seat in the United
States Senate. Soon after, he was commissioned
as general officer in the rebel army. His sue
cess as general was not brilliant. He acted no
conspicuous part in the war against the Union,
and ever after appeared to be broken and dis
heartened man.
At the close of the war, he returned to his old
home, but he never took any part in public af-
fairs. Even his former allies did not bring him
into notice. He was practically forgotten while
yet living, and in those years of his life when his
powers should have been most matured. 1t is
said that his death resulted from an injury re
ceived in battle, but doubtless disappointment had
much to do with it.