The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-08 00:00:00

Death of Mr. Daniel S. Dickinson.

This eminent American statesman died in New
York city on the 12th April, of strangulated hernia,
after suffering for several days. As it was not
generally known that he was seriously indisposed,
the announcement of his death shocked the com-
munity in which he resided, and caused a feeling of
regret throughout the whole country.

Mr. Dickinson was a native of Connecticut,
having been born at Goshen, in that State, on the
11th of September, 1800. His father soon after-
ward removed from Connecticut, and settled in the
Chenango Valley, in the State of New York.
Daniel grew up on his father's farm, assisting in
its cultivation, and also for a time learning a mechani-
cal trade. But politics seemed to have a charm for
the boy-farmer, and he entered the arena on the
Democratic side, becoming, in the course of a few
years, one of the most prominent and active leaders
of the party. In 1827 he was admitted to the bar,
and directly won for himself an enviable reputation
as a ready lawyer. In 1836 he was elected
Senator for the Sixth District of New York, and
while in the Senate exhibited that talent for debate
which afterwards was so fully developed in his
public career. In 1840 he was nominated for the
office of Lieutenant-Governor of the State by the
Democracy, but his ticket was unsuccessful, although
a couple of years later he was chosen to the posi-
tion. In 1844 he was a delegate to the conven-
tion at Baltimore, which nominated Mr. Polk for
President, and during the same year he became one
of the United States Senators for New York.
When the National Democratic Convention assem-
bled in 1852, the Virginia delegation complimented
Mr. Dickinson with their votes for the Presidency,
and when Franklin Pierce was elected he tendered
the Collectorship of the port of New York to his
distinguished friend and competitor, who, however,
declined the office, and retired comparatively to the
walks of private life. But little was heard of him
after he left the Senate until the Rebellion broke
out, when he did not hesitate to fairly and squarely
meet the issues made by the traitors of the South.
His voice was heard on many occasions eloquently
pleading with his hearers, and urging them to rally
to the defence of the National flag and the National
life. During the war the Union party elected him
Attorney-General of the State of New York, and in
1865 President Lincoln appointed him United
States Attorney for the New York City District.
Mr. Dickinson was a gentleman of fine attain-
ments, and was universally esteemed. His life has
been one of eminence in the political annals of the
country, and in his death the Union has lost one of
its staunchest supporters, and humanity and liberty
one of their most able and zealous defenders.

As a fitting close to our sketch of Mr. Dickinson,
we append the following eloquent despatch from
Secretary Seward to Robert Murray, United States
Marshal, New York :

" WASHINGTON, April 13. Robert Murray,

United States Marshal, New York learn 011
profound regret the death of Daniel S. Dickinson,
late District Attorney of the United States at :goy
York. The President authorises me to tender his
condolence to the family and friends of the loyal
and single-hearted statesman, whose voice sounded
like a clarion to animate patriots during the war
through which we have so successfully Passed'
without the loss of a State or a stain upon
national honour. " WILLIAM IL SEWARD.