Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-18
DEATH OF JOHN c. BRECKlN.
RInHE

DEATH OF JOHN G. BRECKlN. |
RIDGE.
John Caben Breckinridge. the sad |
details Of whose last lingering illness
and long anticipated death are detailed |
in the mornings telegraph, was born
near Lexington, Jan. q, 1921. Edu-
Gated at Centre College, DanviIle, IN
der the auspices of his distinguished
uncle, he studied law at the Transylva-
MIA Institute and settled at Lexington,
where the outbreak Of the Mexican war
found him. He went out as Major Of
the Third Kentucky Volunteers, but
hid little opportunity for active ser
vice. Returning home he was first
elected to the State Legislature. In
1851 was elected to Congress,
and was reelected in 1853 after an
exciting canvass. During the discussion
of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, be became
involved in a personal alteration with
Congressman F. B. Cutting, of New
York, leading tG the preliminaries Of q
duel, which fortunately was averted.
President Pierce at one time rendered
him the mission to Spain, but circum-
stances led him to decline the honor.
In 1856 he was elected Vice-P President
Of the United States, being the young
est man who ever filled that Office. In
1850 he was the nominee Of the South
crn wing Of the Democracy for the
Presidency, the boilers nominating
Stephen A. Douglass. Hereceivcd the
electoral vote Of all the cotton Sta.es,
and this fact doubtless Influenced his
subsequent career. Although elected
United States Senator from Kentucky
the same year, he remained in that
body only long enough to see the drift,I
Of events and defend the course Of the
South, whan he joined his fortunes
With that section, entering the army
and rising b. the rank Of MAJOR Gen
erdl. He was rcpulsed in an attack on
Baton Rouge, in August, 1861; command
eda corps under Bragg at stones river,
uear Nashville, in December, 1862, and
az the battle Of Chickamaugs in Sep.
tembcr, 1853. lie defeated zen. Franz
Siegei at Newmarket in May, 1864: |
participated in Early's advance on
Washington in July and shared his
defeat near Winchester in September.
In January, 1865, he was ap-
pointed Confederate Secretary Of War |
After the surrender Of Gen. Lee, |
be went to Europe, whence he returned |
in 1865 and has since lived among the |
scenes Of his youth, quietly practicing |
the profession # the law SO far as his |
health permitted, and carefully holding |
a'oof from politics.
It may not be amiss, IN this connec-
tian, to copy the tribute Of a political
opponent. Speaking Of Vice Presi-
dent Wilson's recent visit TO the dying
statesman and warrior, the Chicago |
Tribune remarked:
OF all the men who took part Ia the
rebellion no one made greater per
sonaI sacrifice than J0nn G.. Breckin-
ridge. a man Of ability and Of great
personal popularity, he soon Won dis
tiuelion. He was elected a RepTcsen-
tive IF the old district which had given
Henry Clay 10 Congress and the
country. At the carly age Of 81 years
be was elected Vice President OF the
United States, and, IN anticipation Of
the expiration Of his term, was elected "a
Senator. There was nothing that
could offer itself in the way Of fame
and honor that he mightnoJ reasonably
expect. He had not even the excuse
which So many others pleaded. His
State did not secede; she did
not Join the CanfedeTacy, and, ac-
cordiug To the doctrine of State allegi-
ance, be should have adhered 10 Ken
lucky, and shared her fortunes. In an
unfortunate moment he did otherwise.
lie abandoned kentucky and the Union,
crossed the line, and linked his fortunes
with the Confederacy.
Had Mr.. Breckiuridge remained IN
the Uni0n-had he, ike So many other
X ntuckiaus, cspoused the cause Of the
country-hc would have become one Of
the leading men OF the Union. His
previous fame and high position would
have been oclipscd by the new lustre
that would have surrounded him as
patriot. "a statesman, and q soldier Of /
his country.