Death of Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, April 1866

 Death of Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson

Oxford Times, April 18, 1866

Our community were pervaded with deep and sincere sorrow, on Friday last, by the sudden announcement of the death of Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson.  Mr. Dickinson was taken sick on the afternoon of Monday last, having been engaged at New York on the trial of the case of the steamship Meteor.  His symptoms did not excite any unusual alarm, until Thursday morning, when they assumed a very serious aspect, and he continued to fail until 8:30 o'clock in the evening, when he died in full consciousness and without a struggle.  His disease was strangulated hernia.  He was born in Goshen, Connecticut, in the year 1800, and at the age of six years migrated with his father to this county, and took up his residence at Guilford [Chenango Co., NY].  His early days were passed like that of many of our most eminent men, in the duties of farm life, to which was added some attention to mechanical pursuits.  Against the tide of adverse circumstances, with meager opportunities for early culture, alternately a student and a teacher in our common schools, but with more than common talents, an ardent and ambitious spirit, and a firm and persistent purpose, he worked his way to eminence; secured to himself honor and fame by an honest and persevering struggle with the difficulties which beset his pathway, and by the aid of no adventitious circumstances, attained a position of acknowledged influence and power in the State and Nation.  Mr. Dickinson was admitted to the bar about 1827, and  a large practice and abundant success attended the commencement of his professional life.

He early identified himself with the Democratic party, before his removal from this county, successively filled the offices of constable and deputy sheriff, and by the association with courts to which these offices introduced him, conceived that love for legal disquisition, and was prompted by that ambition for forensic success, which subsequently were so conspicuous in his professional career.  About this time, seeking a new and wider field for the exercise of his abilities, he removed to Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], and continued the practice of his profession, with increased patronage and success.  In 1836, he was elected to the State Senate from this, the 6th District, and occupied the office for four years.  In 1842, he was elected Lieutenant Governor, with Wm. C. Bouck as Governor.  In 1844 was a member of the Democratic National Convention, and was elected one of the electors at large from this State; in December of the same year was appointed to the United States Senate, in the place of Hon. N.P. Talmadge, and continued in the Senate until 1851, during a most eventful and important period of our history.  While a member of the Senate, Mr. Dickinson enjoyed the respect and confidence of many of its most prominent members, and his relations with Mr. Webster were not only friendly, but intimate.

In 1852, Mr. Dickinson was brought forward as a Presidential candidate in the Democratic National Convention, receiving the vote of Virginia, and failed of the nomination quite as much by a surrender of his own claims, as by any lack of the requisite strength in the convention to obtain it.  In 1861, he was elected Attorney General of this State [NY] by the Union party, by an unprecedented majority, and at the time of his death held the office of U.S. District Attorney, for the Southern District of New York, in the discharge of the arduous and important duties of which he was engaged, to near the hour of his death.

Mr. Dickinson was always marked in his political career, by fearlessness, frankness, firmness and tenacity.  Having once taken a position, he held it without wavering, was outspoken in its advocacy, and his practice was true to his profession.  This trait of his character was conspicuous in his dealings with treason and rebellion.  The armed defiance of the National authority at Sumter, aroused all the powers of his mind and enlisted his heart firmly and unalterably on the side of his country.  From that time forward to his death his voice, his energies, his great abilities, his whole soul were pervaded with a hatred of treason, penetrated with an intelligent perception of the real issue made by traitors, under the specious guise of the right of secession.  He at once arose to the magnitude of the issue, sank the partisan in the patriot, and in words of bold denunciation of treason in all its forms, and ,with sentiments of patriotic hope, which never forsook him in the darkest days of rebellion, predicted the end from the beginning, and lived to realize the fulfillment of prophecy in the salvation of the Republic.  We well remember when in a distant State, the story of the dishonor done to the old flag, and the crime with  which treason first announced its wicked purpose, had stimulated patriotic impulse to the very verge of madness, how the popular phrensy was calmed, and loyal and patriotic hearts strengthened by the glad tidings that the great apostle of Democracy had declared himself firmly, unalterably for the Union, and against treason and secession in all its forms.  Embalmed with the history of a preserved Republic, secure in his fame, as that Republic in her career of power, and glory founded upon liberty and justice, the name and virtues of Daniel S. Dickinson will throw their light along the pathway of the ages, while in the more endearing relations of father, neighbor, friend, thousands of rural homes will cherish his memory, and children's' children take strength and courage from his example.

Funeral Obsequies of Hon. D.S. Dickinson

Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], April 14: The remains of the late Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson arrived here today.  A committee of citizens met the funeral party at Susquehanna and accompanied it to Binghamton.  The train was draped in mourning and approached the depot in perfect silence, the assembled thousands uncovering in veneration for the departed statesman, their friend and neighbor.  The procession was formed and to the sound of solemn dirges escorted the remains to the late residence of the deceased, "The Orchard."  The line was very imposing, consisting of the fire department, Masonic fraternity, the bar, board of trustees of the village, &c.  All business was suspended.  The public buildings, places of business and dwellings were draped in mourning.  Profound sorrow reigned throughout the village at the loss of so good and great man.

Binghamton [Broome Co., NY], April 15:  The closing obsequies of the late Hon. Daniel S. Dickenson were concluded here this afternoon.  The distinguished statesman was buried in accordance with the rules of the Episcopal church.  The funeral took place from the home of the deceased, known as the "Orchard," and witnessed by upwards of six thousand people.  The funeral cortege was composed of many distinguished and prominent gentlemen from all parts of the country, members of the Binghamton bar, the village authorities, Masonic fraternity and the firemen.  Special trains were run on both the Erie and Syracuse roads, for the accommodation of the relatives and friends of the deceased. The body of the lamented Dickinson was deposited in a quiet little cemetery on the outskirts of the village, known as "Spring Grove."