New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-28
OBI UARY.
FX-GOY. PICKENS.

Francis w. Pickens, Ex-Governor of South
Carolina died at his residence, Edgefeld In that state
Monday last. Gov. Pickens was Of Revolutionary
lineage his grandfather, Andrew j. Pickens who a
native Of Pennsylvania having fought with distinction
in the War for Independence and risen from capaincy
of militia to the rank Of BrgsdierGenera The subject
Of this sketch the son Of Andrew J. Pckens. an
eminent lawyer of South Carolina, who filled the office Of
Governor OF the state for one term He was born In
cation at the South Carolina College, Columbia was adj
mited to the bar In 1879. Three years after ne com;
menced his political career In the State legislature OF
which he was elected a member during the memorable
notification excitement He ranged himself on the side
Of the nulfer and proving excellent debater, he
took prominent place among the advocates OF
the extreme states Rights doctrine; In lSA. n. ne
was elected to Congress- In when ne remained
member for ten years. Declining reelection In 1854,
he retired into private NE ReesRpeang on the POLITICAL
Southern Convention which met IN lO5l TO consider the
course to be pursued by the South under tho alleged
aggressiOns Of the North His services were next called
into requiston In 1884, when he chosen to preside
over the South Carolina State Convention for the election
OF delegates to the General Democratic Conyent9n ana
in 1856 he went TO Cincinnati adeegate to that Conven
ton In 1857 President Buchanan appointed him Minister
Russia. in which countrywide remained ABOUT three
years and his return home, toward the end OF looO
he was elected Governor OF his native State This was
on the OF the Rebellion and IN those yermemoraole
events which marked the outbreak OF hostes between
the North and the South the deceased Ex-Governor took
prominent part The name OF Gov Pekens IS 1sepST PER
ably associated with the story OF Fort SUMTER ana Win
ste,y for his memory the association which
impartial history will record to his honor Gov Fiehens
No sooner had he been Inaugurated as Governor
than he boldly declared for tho disruption OF
the Union even at the risk Of war; and Immediately after
the Charleston Convention had passed the Ordinance OF
Secession issued his proclamation, declaring tue Win
drawal OF south Carolina from the Union accomplished
fact taking steps at the time for organizing an IN
dependent Government. He then demanded OF Major
Anderson the surrender OF Fort Sumter and upon the
refusal OF the sturdy patriot TO comply with the demand,
ordered that should be opened upon the Fort Upon
the capture Sumter he addressed the people Of Charles
TON calling God witness in the course OF his speech
that so long he remained their Chief Magistrate, no
hehO daVa "
ags had been raised In place Of the National en-.
sign unless they lowered and trailed in sea OF
blood While he continued Chef Magistrate OF the
state Pickens did all in his power 10 support the
Confederate Government in Its prosecution OF the war;
but in 1862 lie was succeeded in that office by Gov Bon
ham aud after the OF the he sank into compare
tive Obscunty in which he renamed to the period OF Ms
dnafh