The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-10-13
From the Trenton American.
obituary.

The Hon Mahon Dckerson departed this life at his res
idepce in Morris county, on wednesday inc
5h Of October, at the advanced age OF 81 years
or the present generation no name has been more re-
,neced honored, and distinguished in New Jersey than
that Of the deceased He born in Morris county, grad
mated ut Princeton College,, educated lawyer and re-
moved 10 Philadelphia practise at the bar His popn
lar manners and sound legal attachments al once gave him
high position there and he elected recorder oil the
cy-an office, we have heard him say, more congenial
10 his taste any Of the high posts he afterwards
held. Leaving Philadelphia, he returned TO his native
county to reside and sent TO represent his
pei.hbors ia tho State legislature. Here. both his talents
az sta esm en- and his politician found an APP
proprae field for action. The democratic and iede par
ties divided country upon the various theories OF gov
eminent which naturally out OF the newly adopted
coosi,utiou The strife was fierce and bitter. Mr. Dick
enon attached himself to the democratic party
the views Mr. Jefferson its great caderrose at once to
tbs front OF leadership in New Jersey. and materially
aided by hi. activity and counsel. to conduct to per-
manent niua PHI its opponents. This was followed
By hi. being by the Legislature, on Two successive
occasions, governor and chancellor ithe State.
In 1917 the democratic party having the ascendcncy in
the legislature chose Mr. Dckerson United States senator
He enter The Senate whep under Mr. Monroe's admin
isrston the ferceness of party politics had in great
measure subsidized and the era OF good feeling" had
menced lie remained in that body during all the days OF
that and its termination the strife for
the succession between Messs Adams, Clay, Crawford,
and Jackson arose His preferences for the old Hero
and whatever of assistance his abilities, tact and expert
ence could render promote the election Of the chief
was most actively and de vocdy given. He remained IN
the Senate dining all the Of President Adams and the
first term of Gen. Jacksons standardization Ills last cleo
ton TO The Senate curious political phenomenon,
and surprised the public OF all parties Gov Decker
son leading and uncompromisog democrat. The
msjority Of the legislature were ~hig Mr. Adams had
lust been defeated for the presidency and his popular Sec
Rotary the Navy Mr.. souhard about 10 return to
hi, native State and private life strong effort
made by his friends to give him the vacant sena,oshp
The wings Of West Jersey, however, claimed that they
were entitled the office, and put forward DR. Ewing. oil
Cumberland, their choice Many ballots had-ihe
voting solid for Dickerson, and the wings div
ding between Southland and Ewing Att length tho ninor
" esored Their leader in the legislature, the
Hon. Stacy G. Potts, then in the dawn of his political
reer offered solution declaring Mr. Southland inel gble
he being 'nhabitant" OF the State, the cons-
tuition required. The democrats voted for IT, and The Ew
ing wings joined them. and thus put Mr. Souhard the
shelf On the ballot several Of the ncensed Sou,hed
wings, led on by the Hon. James Nevius, voted with
the democrats for Dckerson and elected him Ewing
II grand political joke, and produced great merit
nent in the democratic party
Mr.. Dckorson took high stand in the Senate. Although
possessing abilities equal Clay Webster, Calhoun
Benion or Woodbury., who bis eompeers. yet hi,
great good sense, his unsweving devotion pnci pie hi
sadous hsbih and constant business application his
doubted integrity and affabe manners, gave him envi
able position in that body He emphaticalya uselu
member. While holding there the country passed
through that eonvulsing political struggle which
Of the confess between the pars}ns OF Messs Adams
Jackson for the presidency sndwss continued by the wa
Of Jackson in defence Of the constitution. against thu
moneYed power and corrupt combinations OF tho country
Throughout all these struggles Dekefson adhered with
broken tenacy the prnc pies and policy of Jackson
Upon the reelection Of Gen Jackson The presidency
Mr.. Dickcson received the appointment OF Secretary
the Navy. and took his in the cabinet with Cas-.
Woodbury. Foyb, and other distinguished republican
statesmen He remained in that position during the 70
mander ofJsckson'. minisration. When Mr.. Van Bu
m mister England, and Nj Calhoun was Vice
President having been chosen that pos, by the demo
cratic patty before his detection from H. Mr. Dickerso,
was much spoken Of throughout country as fl per
son TO succeed the Carslinan in the second c, a
negovefnmcnt AZ this crisis tho opposition The
Senate. in the hope TO destroy Nj Van Buren prodoced
ms rcJecnon by the casting vote OF Mr. Calhoun Immsd
stey the democratic party resolved to promote Mr. W.
Barren 70 Mr.. Cahoun's scsa re solve which Mr. D,cp
son warmly seconded, and Withdrew hi name fro,
the canvass Upon Mr. Van Burens elevation to the p,e.
dency he retained Mr. Dcksson in cabinet until h.
resigned that post In 1885, and retired private life
The lass official he hed under general govern
mens was that OF judge OF the United States district con-
Tor tho State Of New Jersey To this he appointed b
Mr. Van Boren. and held the Office buta few month.
when no resssed, and was succeeded by his brother tn
Hon Philemon D,ckcrson, the present ncum bent
In lS&l when the people OF New Jersey demanded
change In the organic law Governor Dckerson was
ed by tho cxcns Of Morris county as 10 the con
stnonal convention from that county, where ad
vanc~d in years. the vigor OF his mind added 10 an apptc
citation OF just principles. rendered him one OF the mos
prominent and useful members
Thronehon, his long and eventual public csreer Mr. Dct
srson retained TO unlimited extent the confidence Of
party and the respect OF the country Alhosgh poc.
rigid dscipnarisp, he slave to pa nv
His political views formed pom conviction and ~ IN
conviction Of their unsounducss he would no, HANG
thsnn He regarded tho tariff question too vas, II i,
details. aud important in its application the interests