The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1876-05-25
ZEN JlMIy q. BRIsrow.
Els Life aa5 Public Services.


his own seeking, nor by the manipulation
OF politicians, bat by the swelling voice Of
the people.
There is no public man named for the
Office of President whose character COM
mands such universal respect among all
men OF honor and integrity, irrespective Of
party-who-e rugged honesty and frmness,
seen in the Purifying and necessary work oil
the past months, appeals 60 strongly to the
public conscience and popular sense Of
right, as that of Secretary Biistow.
EARLY LIFE.
The incidents of his early life and Of his
public career will be interesting at this
time to the American people. He was
born in Elkton, Todd County, Kentucky,
not very distant from the birthplaces of the
two great historic characters and political
antipodes, Abraham Lincoln and jefferson
Davis. His line of ancestry runs lar back
to a respectable family which settled
early in Virginia. His grandfather, a
Baptist minister, bitterly and openly opp, s.
ed 10 the institution Of slavery, was one of
those sturdy pioneers, who Drawing the dan
gers of the forests and Of the savage first
settled the State of Kentucky. When the
second war with nreat Britain began, he
enlisted as private soldier, and certifi-
cate Of discharge from the army, signed by
Colonel johnson, is still extant. 1t bears
witness 10 the bravery, devotion and inieg-
rity OF the Baptist parson.
Francis NJ. Bristow, the father OF Secre-
- L.
of men who grew up Iii the early days Of
Kentucky, Just after it had been admitted
into the Union, who were trained to indus
try. stern integrity and simplicity of life,
those rude virtues SO seldom the heritage Of
the present generation. Reared in the po-
litical school Of the old Wing party, he
followed with unfaltering devotion the for
tunes OF its great leader, Henry Clay, and
shared with him the adherence OF the evils
of slavery, which was then 50 bligh,ing in
its influence upon the South. He took an
active part in the politics OF the State, held
various positions Of honor and trust, was u
member Of the constitutional convention
| which framed the present constitution, and
was a member OF Congress in lS60-6l. He
desired the ameliora,ion of the condition of
the colored race, and with other members OF
his family was willing to set free the slaves
which he had acquired by bequest from his
wife's relatives, u gift which he accepted,
that he might better benefit the enslaved.
All his slaves, after coming legally under
his control, were granted their liberty at
| any time they desired, and il any remained
with his family, it was because OF their
inability to support themselves. When the
! war of the rebellion began, no man was
more pronounced in his loyalty 10 the
Union, and few suffered more for their pa
triotism during the war.
| BENJAMIN Ii. Bri.tow was the Oldest OF
| four children, was born the 10Th of June,
1882, and is consequently in his forty fourth
year. He was named after his ancestor
Benz amin, who fell in the battle Of Brandy
wine.
| HIS EDUCATION.
In his early education he received the
best advantages offered in his native place
At the proper age he was sent to Jefferson
College, Cannolsburg, Pa from which he
was graduated with credit in the year 1851.
/ He developed at that time a power and
| fondness Tor close logical discussion and q
talent for speaking which gave him repu-
tation among his fellow students, and no
| doubt laid the foundation for his future
success in the practice OF lis profession.
Few men in the country excel him now, in
grace, power and elUquence az a speaker,
whether at the bar, in the forum, or Oh the
hastings.
after graduating at college, he began the
| study OF law in his fathers Office, continued
with him in practice until the year 1851,
when he removed to Hopkinsville, the chief
town OF southern Ken lucky, where he
formed partnership with Judge X. J. Pc
tree, one OF the leading lawyers at the bar,
and continued the practice OF his profession
with every prospect Of success, until the
war Of the rebellion began. In the year
1854 he married Miss Briscoe, an accom-
plished Kentucky lady.
THE TINE OF TRIAL.
When the war began in 1861, the trial
came 10 Secretary Bristow, as it came to
thousands of young men in the South,
which vas TO test his manhood and his
patriotism, and which indeed was 10 shape
largely his future dvsiiny. 1t was the
struggle OF duty on one side and of sympa-
thy and sentiment on the other. 1t was an
easy matter to be a Union man in the
North, when the public mind was almos:
a unit on the ques Ion OF slave'y, and the
power Of the government TO control it. 1t
| was also very easy in The South to drift
into the Rebellion under the appeals TO
Southern rights and Southern sympathy,
when the Southern heart was all ablaze
and madness ruled the hour. But for one
in the border States, amid divided hearts
and households, and conflicting interests
1 L. 4
social ties, and to follow the flag of the
Union into the conflict, where he might
grapple in the death struggle, perhaps,
with his brother, his friend or neigabor,
required more than ordinary courage ard
| hcroism.
Under this trial, however, Secretary Bris-
tow did not hesitate. Believing that slavery
was wrong in the sight of God and in the
light of our civilization, and that il rested
as an incubus with leaden weight on the
social interests and material prosperity OF
his native State. and believing that the
preservation of the Union and the defence
Of human rights and freedom were high
above the considerations Of any mere SEC
tional rights and institutions, he went
promptly and boldly into the conflict
In 1861, S cre,ary Bristow entered the
United States service, assisted in raising a
regiment, and was elected Lieutenant Colo
mel of the Twenty-tifth Kentucky. He dis
tinguished himself for GOODNESS and bra
very in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort
Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh and
other engagements.
In 1862, his regiment having been cut TO
pieces at Fort Donelson, at the Governors
request he wet home, and assisted in rails
ing the Eighth Kentucky Cavalry. He
was appointed Lieutenant-C Colonel ard soon
after Colonel of this regiment. which was
in many memorable battles, and assisted in
the capture of the celebrated raider, Gen.
John II. Morgan.
SENATOR BIS STOW.
In 1863, while Colonel Bristow was in
the field with his regiment, his friends at
home, without his solicitation, elected him
to the Senate of Kentucky. This was his
frst political experience. He had besn
identified with the old Wing party, and
voted for Bell and Everett in lS60-the
last ticket OF that grand old party, which
in Kentucky became largely merged BY the
events of the war in the Republican party;
with this party Secretary Bristow from that
time united his fortunes.
The proclamation Of Abraham Lincoln
emancipsting the slaves, had shaken the
loyalty of thousands who had hitherto
stood true to the Union. 1t seemed that
Kentucky would yet settle down on the
side of Rebellion, and in Its Legislative
councils at that critical period it required
men of wise heads aod brave hearts to
guide its destinies. The strong arm Of the
Law had to be thrown around her loyal
citizens, and especially the colored people,
y ho uere heinz Innfad doun in m anx soc-