The Hon. John C. Breckinridge, Democratic Candidate for the Presidency. – from a Photograph by Brady
John C. Breckinridge1
The family of this the youngest and most brilliant of the Presidential candidates is one of the most distinguished in Kentucky. It is originally Scotch, John Knox, the illustrious reformer, being an ancestor on the maternal side. The grandfather of the present candidate was a man of strong mind and Democratic principles. He was the author of the famous resolution of 1788 in the Virginia Legislature. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1801, and was Attorney-General under Jefferson in 1805-6. The two sons of this distinguished statesman also made their mark in the world. One, the Rev. Robert C. Breckinridge, being an eminent divine, and the other, Colonel Breckinridge, the father of the subject of our memoir, was for many years one of the leading members of the Kentucky bar.
John Cabell Breckinridge was born at the family seat, Cabellsville, near Lexington, Fayette county, Kentucky, January 21, 1821. He was educated at Centre College, Danville, Kentucky, from which he graduated with great distinction. He then entered Transylvanin Institute, where he studied law under Chief-Justice Robinson, Judge Woolly and the eloquent Tom Marshall. Upon receiving his licence he emigrated to Burlington, Iowa, where he joined Mr. Bullock, his cousin, and a lawyer of great repute.
Not finding sufficient scope for his talents there, he came Georgetown, Kentucky, where he married Miss Burch, of that city. Soon after his marriage he went to Lexington, where he remained in the practice of his profession till the breaking out of the Mexican war. Being elected Major of the Third Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, he started with his companions for the seat of war, and was present at the taking of the Halls of the Montezumas. Upon his return to Lexington, he was elected a member of the lower branch of the Legislature of the State of Kentucky.
In 1851 he was elected Member of Congress, beating the veteran General Leslie Combes by six thousand majority. On the expiration of his Congressional term, Mr. Breckinridge returned to his home and profession at Lexington. In 1856 be was one of the delegates to the Convention held in Cincinnati in June. He there received the honor of being nominated for the Vice-Presidency, James Buchanan receiving that for President.
His conduct during these last four years was so pleasing to the Democratic party that he has been selected by the Administration Democrats for their candidate to succeed Mr. Buchanan in the White House.
Breckinridge possesses all those personal traits which endear the man as much to the masses as to his social circle. He is a courtly and a polished gentleman, well representing the chivalry of Kentucky.
His presence is very lordly, and when in full dress he looks more like an English nobleman than an American sovereign.
He is full of bonhommie, and enjoys a joke, even though at his own expense. He was the reporter of General Leslie Combe’s (his old antagonist) retort a few months since. Meeting Breckinridge, Combes, after their usual cordial greetings, began discussing politics. In the course of conversation, Breckinridge said, “General, you have the rare distinction of having done more for your party, and for your party having done less for you, than any man who ever lived.”
Leslie Combes looked at Breckinridge, and said, “Major, there we differ; for you have the rare distinction of having done less for your party, and for your party having done more for you, than any man living!”
Breckinridge laughed, and told his Democratic companions the joke.
- Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, November 10, 1860 – It’s interesting that this biographical sketch of a presidential candidate was originally published after the election was over. In this post, it is published “early” in advance of the 160th anniversary of that fateful election.