Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-10-15
POLITICAL.
fpgprBL,sngD PROM THIS UNION Br REarEsfI
A PORTRAIT.

POLITICAL.
InsprnL,saED PROM THs UNION Dr REarEsfl
PORTRAIT
,r ..,.s of The political life and serres Of the Hon.
d. S. Dickinson Of the United States Senate
Among the statesmen on whom the American people have
conferred their honors with Just discrimination no one
has endeavored with more consistent anXe IMAM Inc ron
n S Dickinson the Senate OF the United States to pro-
noe their welfare By application Of the light OF moral
and intellectual experience and truth to their social anu Pc
,cal institutions. With q mind clear, penetrating saga
cions-with an industry that left unfinished no duty that ne
nnderiook-,here blended from his earliest youth Sc
renity OF temper and cheerfuness ana dignity Oh manners
an active bcnevolence clear and strong sense OF
E.ry in life he was chosen member OF tho Senate OF his
native State which then the OF ccrner resort IN
which body he continued TO hold his seat for tour years
Here he particularly distinguished for his unyeong
,mness and political courage as well as ior hS powers
debate unweared application in the discharge OF puoc
business The last quality although one OF the most I'M
por,ant in the character OIL staesmah-as II Possesses
none of glare and show by which popular opinion Is
dazzled-s very ordinarily altogether neglected IN ioine
an estimate of The talents and services .. public men,
Those who look merely upon the exterior OF public affairs
seldom that there is in any legislative BODY con-
slant demand and employment for Kind OF talent always
more useful and oenmcs of higher order than that by
which the columns OF newspapers are ned with wordy De-
bate and flowcry defamation.
1t long after he established himself In ms PROBES
son before he became engaged In cases Of magnitude cal
cua,ed task the highest legal and by the SSH
learning and judgment shown, he confirmed the favorable
impression OF his talents which had been previously enter
tanned The higher circles OF the profession. lie was par
distinguished cieafnesS TaDioNy VI
reasoning powers and for the corness of has statements
the simplicity hs language and the manly dignity
OF his in presenting his views 10 the court or jury
years thereafter he elevated by the popular
voice of his State distinguished position OF lieutenant
governor the State of New York president of The Senr
and pres6ca, judge Of the highest cpu This position W
continued fill until he called by the Legislature 10 take
more prominent position in national councils TT hch
he pointed out by the consideration OF his sup.r'r ~
ness; for he sought Office and his friends deemed loo
highly OF him that office was capable OF adding 10 me
dignity of his talents worth For such service no man
the Democratic party enineny fitted than Mt
Dickinson. The distinguished position from which he had
Just retired and the ability and consistency that had marked
his statesman, indicated his peculiar fitness 10 NIL
with distinction that honorable station He early conceived
the noble ambition uselly serving his country to
crafty selfish vanity promote private or person
al end but from actual al devotion 10 her glory and from
generous and magnanmous desire bear his part In up
holding the honor and of her republican institutions
He understood thoroughly the genius OF popular govern
ent well in its essential principles in all its great his
to-cal examples He has made our own complicated system
of popular and federave the subject OF his
ioundes thoughts and his mind is deeply mbued with It's
spirit il is thoroughly initiated in its principles, and
orally with its constitutional action On all
casons he has erinced enlarged knowledge OF the am
fed principles Of political economy and of the laws of trade
currency, revenue, and finance which important land
marks for tho guidance of statesman in supporting the
happiness and prosperity OF his country In every position
which he occupied his characterized by sagacy
and discretion In the investigation OF complicated ques
of finance and the adaptation Of avorte systems
The purposes of life, he eminenty successful
The scene of Mr. Dckinsons glory has been in the Uni
,ed States Senate lie entered that body in 1886 his supe
oy was soon appreciated and he became of the lea
ders of the democratic party nj time when Of the
brilliant in the country appeared in the opposition
As debaer he has few supcrios he is always calm and
dgnhed, and confines himself strictly to the question under
consideration without rcsoing any artificial
produce an effect
When Mr. Dickinson entered the Senate of the United
States oil the highest talents and influence there
assembled, and aay.d in political hostility to each other
and excited by tie strongest motives which can
stimulate tho human rnd-the pride power the hope of
victory, the of responsibility, the devotion to prn-
cples deemed VITAL and the bonds Of long political attach
men Under such circumstances every important measure
Of the administration was assaied with bold and vehe-
criticism and was defended with unring zeal and
frn,ness Mr.. Dickinson took his share in the debates
and received with distinction proporoned 10 his merits
From the time of Mr.. Folks accession power, every
important discussed in the Senate with grea
freedom and small degree warmth and aclimony On
these occasions it fell lot Mr. Dickinson defend
these measures and 10 maintain the rights duties and pow
OF the executive against every attack and he performed
The service with great zeal INDEPENDENCE and ability The
result OF this controversy is well known. The adminsla
sustained in Its by the sober Of
majority nations and the doctrines ton SO strenuousy
and boldly denounced have since been looked
upon among the most indispensable executive rights and
duties Probably the present day, not single statesman
be found of influence Of party who does no,
deem the to have been weounded in consu-
tional law as they were in sound policy.
In the mean time, Mr.. Dickinson was jndnstrouRy for-
flying his reputation aud raising himself the estimation
~ his countynien series of reports upon important SUBJ
lecs with an exhibition OF genius of learning and trans
cendent TALENT certainly inferior toperhaps surprising
that OF any member of the Senate.
speech on the Oregon question may be considered
most consummate argument and equally remarkable for
The lucid order Of the topics the profoundness of It's logic
The extent Of its research and the forco of Its illustrations
His speech on the annexation of Texas has always been
considered as an effort Of great ability II surpas
sed by anything which fell from him during that sessions
and II seems 10 be reckono for power and efficiency among
the very abest efforts that made In that body II in.
dicaed noeray Of sentiment, comprehensveness OF
intellect and power Of accomplishment while i, secured
members Of the Senate.
Those of his speeches which TO be found in the
geseonal debates exhibit that cearness OF perception
yarious transformations learning that simplicity drnv and
penetration, which characteristic of him.
His views Of public questions expressed with firm.
ness but without aspery. He discusses in mastery
all those topics connected with true construction
OF constitution and the extent and limitations Of powers
assigned the members Of the confederacy and different
departments Of tho government.
In reading bis speeches not left in doubt regards
his meaning and his whole meaning His language Is trans
parent you through instantly the purpose he has In
There is no involuton-no complication. Every
Thing Is direct, natural and explicit. His STYLE without
being dy and possessing upon proper OCCASIONS such
is made in general of terms and phrases correctly as
certained in their Specification defy the excaon OF
double This precision the result Of accurate ad
jus,ment of the argumon. before he delivered it, The
speeches made by him during hi, service in the Senate show
with what fnlncss o. information and knowledge he came
into the discussion OF every question In which he took
part.
Though sincerely attached from strong connexon the
poEtica opinions which he advocated he maintained
mem with !be,ay and Difference those from whom he
dered and diversity of views of general policy could
induce nm 10 withhold his cordial support of such of their
deemed calculated TO sustain or
country's honor rights.
Upon his political upon his private life we may look
with the greatest satisfaction II is without stain
bemlsn-N REQUIRES no conceaimen apology. He has
ton of his principles he has been deferred from
vndcaicn Of them by popue caor or party cababy the
osns OF power OF the fury Of factions Amidst all the con