Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-04-04

of March Goth. we make the following
extract -
"His force and his talents make him
worthy son of his father. DR.. Robert
J. Breckenridge was one of the most
famous clergymen of the South. He
was brother of the father of John G.
Breckenridge. His gift of oratory was
known all over the country. He was
the leading spirit of the Presbyterian
Church, South. Like his son, he was
extremely popular everywhere. and.
like his son, he made bitter enemies as
well as the stanchest of friends.
POINTED TO WITH PRIDE.
He began his career under very IA
observation-disclosures. His father was
then one of the foremost figures in the
South, and this gave the young lawyer
prestige. Moreover, his was a name
that in itself was an open sesame to
popularity and prominence in Ken
lucky. All eyes were turned expect
antly upon the young man, and when
he showed himself impulsive, warm
hearted, public spirited, acute, force
full and eloquent Kentucky clapped
her hands and received him warmly.
William G. P. Breckenridge was born
August %, 1887, in Philadelphia, Pa,
where his mother was visiting. 1t is
descriptive of the mans intense love Of
his State and his people that he has
never been known to mention his birth
place. 1t was always bitter thing to
him that he did not first open his eyes
in his own Kentucky.
He was graduated from Center Col
lege, Danville, KY, when he was eigh
teen years old, and two years later was
graduated from the law school of the
University of Louisville. He began to
practice law at twenty-one and quick
ly attained prominence. He always
lived in Lexington.
Those who knew young Breckenridge
at this period of his life say he was
singularly handsome. b. was slender
and erect, and his features were large
and full of force, His big, gray eyes
kindIed with enthusiasm one moment
and the next were dim with pity or
eloquent with friendliness. His social
popularity is described as extraor-
binary. He was one of those men who
would walk down a strange street and
leave a trail of friends behind him
Kentucky is State of cordial hatreds
and cordial friendships. There were
no hatreds in the early life of Breckin
ridge.
BRAVERY IN THE FIELD.
When he married into the Henry
Clay family it proved Il popular ALI
ance. 1t was where a young man OF
his family ana his brilliant talents
should seek a wife, His second mar
rage was no setback to him in popular
ity.
1t only needed the opportunities af
forded by the war to round out the
measures of yonng BreckinridgA's
popularity Kentuckian must dc
something more than prove himself
gallant, brilliant and eloquent. He
must prove himself personally brave
AS soon as the war broke out he
threw up his law practice and raised a
company of recruits. He went into
the war as Captain Breckenridge and
he came out as Colonel Breckenridge.
His advancement was won step by step
the battle field. His movements were
confined to Eastern Tennessee and
Southeastern Kentucky.
Colonel Breckinridge's public career
after the war can be told in a few
words. With Major Shelby as his part
ner he built up one of the best law
practices in the State. He was the
court partner. He did the pleading
and established IA great reputation for
acuteness and penetration in the hand
ling of cases. None understood jury
better than he, and none was a better
jury orator. He made reputation as
remarkably clever cross examiner.
He was retained, too, in the most intri-
cate corporation cases, for his mind
was many sided.
Outside of the court house his career
was chiefly that of an orator. The an
Of h Iyar
would always fill a public square or
pack hall. He became 1.-The silver
tongued orator of Kentucky" The
whole range of oratory was his field
There was no sort of occasion, from a
political convention to funeral Pres
byterian Assembly or prayer meeting,
which he did not dominate. AS wit
ty after dinner speaker he had no peer
in his State.
A LEADER IN POLITICS.
He became leader in politics. He
dictated policies and was put forward
as a convention orator. His State sent
him to Chicago at the last national
convention. Some of his nomination
and campaign speeches have been re
membered for years in Kentucky. He
was a clean man in politics. He asked
nothing for himself. He never held an
Office until he succeeded "Joe" Black
burn in Congress in 1885. He has been
returned each succeeding election with
increasing majorities.
Colonel Breckenridge is very proud
of representing the old Ashland district
of Kentucky. He is following in a
famous line. Henry Clay first repre-
sented the district, returning to Con
gress for twenty successive years. His
successor was John j. Crittenden, who
was twenty eight years in Congress
from the district. Then came Thomas
Marshall, the orator; then James ID.
Beck, then Mr.. Black burn, then Col.
Breckenridge. 1t is great line of sue
cession.
Such are the principal characters tics
of the public career of this man. Apart
from this, and considered in his more
personal relations, he is even more ia
teresting. His nature is one of the
most vivid contrasts, and when view
ed from all sides he makes a figure of
picturesque proportions.
The most striking feature of this
mans life apart from business in his
Presbyterianism. 1t is of fervid, pas
sionate type, like himself He was
born into the church, so to speak He
became prominent as q lay churchman
as young man, while his father was
still in the vigor of his pulpit career.
He has grown in his devotional life as
he has grown otherwise.
For several years he has been among
the most prominent Presbyterians in
the South. He has been a well known
figure in the general assemblies. and
his speeches on church problems have
been published all over the country.
Contributions from his pen on matters
pertaining to ecclesiastical law, church
government, missions, the extension of
religious work and similar topics have
been eagerly sought by the Presbv
terrain press. He has been regarded as
one of the bulwarks of that denomina
ton in this country.
EARNEST IN CHRISTIAN WORK.
His last speech on a Presbyterian