John C. Breckinridge

Politician, lawyer

• Born: January 16, 1821
• Birthplace: Lexington, Kentucky
• Died: May 17, 1875
• Place of death: Lexington, Kentucky

Education: Presbyterian Centre College; Transylvania University

Significance: John C. Breckinridge was an American politician and lawyer. He was the fourteenth vice president of the United States and the youngest ever to serve in the position. Breckinridge was a respected House and Senate member in the years prior to his election and was praised for his fair-mindedness as leader of the Senate. Although he favored neutrality following the outbreak of the American Civil War (1861–1865), he eventually sided with the Confederates. The decision cost him his career after the Union won the war. Breckinridge fled the country after the war but returned when former Confederates were granted amnesty. He died on May 17, 1875, in his hometown of Lexington, Kentucky.

Background

John Cabell Breckinridge was born on January 16, 1821, in Lexington, Kentucky. His father was a politician within the Kentucky state government, but he died at the age of thirty-five. Breckinridge's family went to live with his paternal grandmother after his father's death. His grandma, whom he lovingly referred to as "Grandma Black Cap," often told him stories about his grandfather's career in government. His grandfather had been a prominent Kentucky legislator, serving under Thomas Jefferson and playing a role in the success of the Louisiana Purchase. His grandmother's tales about his grandfather's achievements influenced Breckinridge's interests as he grew up and he hoped to pursue a career in public office.

Breckinridge attended Presbyterian Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, and earned his bachelor's degree at the age of seventeen. He then enrolled at Princeton University but later returned to Kentucky to study law at Transylvania University and under the guidance of Judge William Owsley in Lexington. He was admitted to the bar in 1841 and moved to the Iowa territory to open his own law practice. Breckinridge decided to return to Kentucky to continue his law career, practicing in the cities of Georgetown and Lexington.

Breckinridge served in the Mexican-American War (1846–1848) as an officer in the Kentucky infantry. He spent six months in Mexico, where his extreme kindness earned him the respect of his peers. Upon his return to Kentucky, he ran for a seat in the state house of representatives. His campaign for the seat put Breckinridge's oratory talents on full display for the public, and his eloquence eventually won him the seat in 1849. Two years later, he successfully ran for a seat in the US House of Representatives, a surprise victory for Jacksonian Democrats. He served two terms in the House, standing for states' rights but against slavery. Breckinridge supported slave recolonization, which sought to free slaves and resettle them in Africa. He also supported the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which repealed the Missouri Compromise and gave states the authority to allow or disallow slavery.

Political Career

Breckinridge did not run for a third turn in the House when his term expired in 1855. Instead, he returned to Kentucky to continue his law practice. His break from politics did not last long. In 1856, Democrats selected Breckinridge as their vice-presidential candidate alongside presidential candidate James Buchanan. He traveled around the country campaigning and giving speeches. At election time, the Buchanan-Breckinridge ticket won most of the slave-holding Southern states and a good deal of the Northern states, easily winning the election. Breckinridge's home state of Kentucky had also voted Democrat, a first for the state since 1828.

Breckinridge's time as vice president saw him excluded from Buchanan's administration. His relationship with the president was strained during their time in office. Buchanan distrusted Breckinridge because of his association with Stephen Douglas, his Democratic presidential rival. He rarely consulted Breckinridge on political matters and routinely excluded him from White House political and social gatherings. The pair seldom saw each other, and Breckinridge had no private meetings with the president for more than three years.

Despite his very limited interaction with Buchanan, Breckinridge was respected as the leader of the Senate. He was praised as graceful and fair-minded in his management of Senate issues. Breckinridge oversaw the Senate's transition to its newer, larger chamber. The growth of the nation brought political divide to the Senate as Northern and Southern ideals collided. By this time, the country was nearing civil war and many Southern states threatened to secede from the Union. Breckinridge was against secession and did not feel such an action would solve the country's problems.

Breckinridge became a frontrunner for the Democratic nomination during the lead-up to the 1860 presidential election. The Democrats were split between their support for Breckinridge and Douglas, however. Douglas did not support the protection of the right to slavery, losing him the support of the South. The Southern delegates decided to walk out on the nominating convention and hold their own convention. They nominated Breckinridge, while the North nominated Douglas. The Republicans nominated Illinois legislator Abraham Lincoln. With the Democratic votes split between Breckinridge and Douglas, Lincoln managed to win the election.

Just before the end of his vice-presidential term, Breckinridge was elected to the Senate. He remained opposed to secession and hoped Kentucky would stay neutral after the Civil War broke out in 1861. Kentucky eventually aligned itself with the Union, however, and pro-Union forces triumphed in the state elections. Breckinridge's commitment to neutrality remained, however, and he spoke at multiple peace rallies following the Union vote. An arrest warrant was issued on his behalf in September 1861, but Breckinridge evaded arrest by fleeing to Virginia.

In Virginia, Breckinridge was forced to choose a side and joined the Confederacy. He served in the army as a brigadier general and was later appointed to major general. He was present for battles at Shiloh, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and Cold Harbor. In early 1865, Breckinridge was appointed secretary of war by Confederate president Jefferson Davis, but by April the Confederacy had surrendered. Breckinridge fled to Cuba after the war, later traveling to England, Europe, and Canada. When President Andrew Johnson proclaimed amnesty for all Confederates in 1868, Breckinridge returned to the United States. He moved back to Kentucky, resuming his law practice and venturing into the railroad industry. He never reentered politics. Breckinridge died on May 17, 1875.

Impact

Breckinridge was a celebrated orator and respected military leader. His political contributions led to multiple monuments and memorials being erected in his honor throughout history. He was the youngest vice president in American history, inaugurated at the age of thirty-six.

Personal Life

Breckinridge married Mary Cyrene Burch in 1843. They had five children together.

Bibliography

"Breckinridge, John Cabell, (1821 – 1875)." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=b000789. Accessed 23 Jan. 2018.

"John C. Breckinridge (1857–1861)." University of Virginia Miller Center, millercenter.org/president/buchanan/essays/breckinridge-1857-vicepresident. Accessed 23 Jan. 2018.

"John Cabell Breckinridge." Civil War Trust, www.civilwar.org/learn/biographies/john-c-breckinridge. Accessed 23 Jan. 2018.

"John Cabell Breckinridge." History.com, 2009, www.history.com/topics/john-c-breckinridge. Accessed 23 Jan. 2018.

"John Cabell Breckinridge, 14th Vice President (1857–1861)." United States Senate, www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP‗John‗Breckinridge.htm. Accessed 23 Jan. 2018.