urteen in number, the most
prominent was John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky, who had stepped
from the Vice-President's chair to the floor of the Senate as the
successor of Mr. Crittenden. Mr. Breckinridge at that time was
forty years of age, attractive in personal appearance, graceful,
and cordial in manner, by inheritance and by cultivation a gentleman.
He came from a section where family rank gave power and influence.
He united in his person the best blood of the South and the North,
--preserving and combining the most winning traits of each. His
lineage in Kentucky naturally brought to him the sympathy and
support of the State. He was born to success and authority among
his people. Originally he had anti-slavery convictions, as had
all the members of his eminent family. So strongly was this tendency
developed in his mind that, when he came to the bar, he removed to
the Territory of Iowa, intending to identify himself with the growth
of the free North-West. Circumstances overcame the determination,
and carried him back to Kentucky, where he was welcomed at the
hearth-stones and in the hearts of her people.

MR. CLAY AND MR. BRECKINRIDGE.

At twenty-five years of age Mr. Breckinridge was appointed major
in one of the Kentucky regiments, which served in the Mexican war.
After his return he entered upon the practice of his profession in
Lexington, and against all the traditions of his family identified
himself with the Democratic party. An apparently slight incident
had an important bearing upon his earlier political career. He
was selected to deliver the address of welcome to Mr. Clay on his
return to Kentucky in the autumn of 1850, from the field of his
senatorial triumph in securing the adoption of the celebrated
compromise of that year. Mr. Breckinridge's speech was graceful
and effective. He eulogized Mr. Clay's work with discrimination,
and paid the highest tribute to the illustrious statesman. Mr.
Clay was visibly touched by the whole scene. His old opponents
were present by the thousand to do him honor. The enmities and
antagonisms of earlier years were buried. He had none but friends
and supporters in Kentucky. He responded with earnestness, and
even with emotion: "My welcome," he said, "has been made all the
more grateful from being pronounced by my eloquent young friend,
the son of an eloquent father, the grandson of a still more eloquent
grandfathe