Middletown transcript., 1875-05-22

her wedding day.-Er.
DEATH OF JOHN G. BREcKINRIDGE.- =
One by one the chief actors in the great
drama Of 1875 are passing off the
stage Of life. Statesmen and military
chieftains, both Of the North and Of the
South, have fallen so rapidly that, in
looking over the deathrate. we are as
tonished at the number Of men who
filled such prominent positions in the
war times Of few years ago, who are
added to the dead
On Monday morning last, Gen. John
G. Breckinridge, one Of the most illus
trious of the southern statesmen and
heroes, died at his residence in Lexing-
ton, Ky.
The family Of Breckinridge is one
long distinguished both in Church and
State. The grandfather Of General
Breckinridge was United States Sena-
tor and Attorney General under Presi-
dent Jefferson his father an eminent
Presbyterian minister and doctor Of d.
vinity, and his uncle the celebrated DR..
Robert J. Breckinridge, whose fame SO
thrilled the church and state in 1861.
John G. Breckinridge was born near
Lexington, KY, on the 21st Of jan
uary, 1921; was educated at Centre
College, Danville, Ky, studied law,
and entered upon its practice at his ma
tive town, soon becoming one Of the
leading members Of the bar. When the
war with Mexico broke cut he entered
the army as major Of volunteers. At
the end of the war he returned to Ken
lucky and was elected to the Legisla-
ture. In 1851 and '53 he was elected
to Congress. President Pierce offered
him the ministry to Spain but he de-
clined it. In 1856 be was elected Vice
President Of the United States, with
President Buchanan, and in 1860 was
nominated for the Presidency by the
Southern wing Of the Democratic party.
Mr.. Breckenridge took prominent part
in the stormy sessions Of the Senate
which preceded the commencement Of
the war, and was very active in bis en-
deavors to stay the tide Of civil war
After the arrest, by Federal officials. Of
prominent citizens Of Kentucky in the
fall Of 1861, Mr.. Breckinridge openly
joined the Southern Confederacy and
was appointed brigadier general. He
continued in the army until near the
close of the war and was as distinguish
ed in the military as he had been in the
civil service, gaining several brilliant
victories over the Federal troops. In
the latter part Of 1864 he was appointed
Secretary at War Of the Confsderacy
and despite the crippled condition Of the
country, succeeded in giving new life
to the Department. giving evidence Of
bis great talents for any position. At
the close Of the war Gen. Breckenridge
escaped to Cuba whence be passed 10
Canada. He spent some time in Eu-
rope, returning to his home in Ken
tucky after the declaration Of amnesty
by President johnson, where be lived.
until bis death, in retirement. being un-
der political disabilities.
The career Of General Breckinridge
was an extraordinary one. Possessed
Of the most brilliant talents, be rapidly
rose in positions Of prominence until the
second highest efice in the country was
to bis care At the early age Of
35. He was the youngest man who
had ever held that office, and discharged
its duties with such dignity and Impair
tiality as to win the encominms Of politi-
cal friends and opponents alike. He
was endowed with talents of uncommon
brilliancy, and but for the fatal split in
he national Democratic party in 1860
ind the disastrous civil war which fol-
owed the election Of Mr.. Lincoln he
would doubtless have attained to the
Presidency. which be would have filled
With the same distinguished ability be
'ver manifested in the discharge of all
lis trusts, and have shed lustre upon
lis country's history. Since the close
# the war he. like all other truly great
statesmen and soldiers, has ever coun-
elled upon the people of his State the
discharge Of the duties of Law abiding
,itizens, and he at all times stroye, as
ar as in him lay. to bring about peace
nd reconciliation between the North
I'D the South.
The Delaware Railroad Company are
ow layinp out a flower bed on the I