New-York tribune., 1875-02-05
p Q ST S G RIP 7.
$3.50 A. Ne.
OBITUARY..
WILLIAM A. BUCKINGHAM.

A Telegram from Norwich announces the
death last night at his late residence in that city, OF
william A. buckingham, Unted States Senator for Con-
neccut. Mr.. Buckingham was born in Lebanon, Conn,
May o. 1904 and educated principally In the public
schools He was trained a farmer, but at
the ace OF q he engaged in mercantile business and
was henceforth connected with commercial and indus
trial pursuits He was Mayor OF the City OF Norwich
m Isl9 1850 1885, and 1851 He was Presidential Eector
in 1856 aud was Governor Of Connecticut from 1883 TO
lsG6 He refused denomination in 1906 and remained in
private life until 1868 when he elected TO the United
States Senate for which Will end the 81 Of
March next.
It's as the War Governor OF hs State that this
able citizen Will be best remembered. His six years
service Senator added nothing 20 the reputation he
had already made a wise and able Executive, whose
energy and patriotic devotion in the perilous days or
the war STAYED up the hands OF President Lincoln, ana
gave to the LOYAL the fullest and promptest co.
operation backed by all Tie Resources OI the state IN
men and money.
First elected Governor on tho RepuSican ticket in
1853 whep TIE duties OF the Executive little more
than nominal, and the position gave nothing more than
an honorable prominence in the State he continued
in Office through the whole period Of the war ui lSG
when he absolutely refused ronOninaon, and for two
years remained in private life
IL the Spriug of 1860 when he WAS for the third time
candidate the Democrats made most desperate effort
ia defeat hn with Thomas n. Seymour their candi-
date AT that time the Northern States presented
solid front against the aggressOns o Slavery and tho
Democratic party that was upholdng it. Connecticut
ros olwnys close and doubtful State, and
this was obviously the turnipg point in the
great struggle whch WIS felt 70 he impending. The
whole force OF the party then power brought 20
bear upon this the weakest puilt the opposing line,
and the couury watched tho contest with IN
tercs more intense than Connecticut election ever ex-
cited before since. The election Of Gov Buckingham
by less than majority accepted by the Southern
leaders as conclusive of the determination Of the North
ana from moment the preparations Tor secession,
which bad been stayed for the result, went forward
with nnc xiblc and remorselcss purpose
The commencement OF hostilities fonnd Coy.
buckingham at the head Of Affairs in the state,
PLAIN business mar unaHed in politics. bus having the
1uates OF stubborn integrity. business tact, and ad
minstrative skill enthusiastic devotion 10 the UnOn'
patient industry. and resoutc will that were Of
vastly mere account than any political training
or the statesmausuip Of the schools. lie commanded
nos onlv popular sympathy and support but the highest
confidence o. el1sscs, and able to bring 20 the
assistance OF the Government all the moral aud mate
;a elements demanded in such crisis, the hearty CO.
uuera,ion OF the people, and the equally necessary
hnancal sincws OF war. li,s administration dur
ing the trying period Of the war was in all
respccts admirable Ilo gave 10 the unusual dutles OF
The ofice Industry that un,irng, patriotism with
OUT limit and readiness Of pcrsOral sacrifice, an i'll
H. xHiity Of purpose, and determined spirit that in
spred all who contact with him
with lofty courage, and extOrted the admira-
ton Of his bittcrcst op?OncntS. by tho Ysor
of his administrations the earncstness and energy
with which ne kept the quota OF his State more than
full and above al, by the useful Offices and tender
ministries with which he followed the faithful soldiers
of MS recruiting The camp and field ami hospital he
euoeared himself 10 thu loyal people OF tue STATE as had
none of bis predecossors.
His record as one OF the groat War Governors on
whom Mr. Lincoln leaned was perfect and complete It
aq not needed that term the United States Senate
shoyd be added 20 his fame Toe more thoughtful OF
ois friends saw that TO send him 70 the senaie
yos only to put his welleaTncd fame
II boz.ud. VITA no possibility Of enhancing
H. But against their advice was the urgency OF poi-
clans who mad personal enmes 70 CRAFTY iu the deIeat
Of some one else and selfish aspirations to advance BY
nutfing him forward. Looking back over the SIX
wears Of his Senatorship and contrasting them
with the nine years OF his service as GoYernor 1t
will hardly be denied that his c0nsenting to such coun-
sells was weakness. The wears OF tho war had emDlt
tered his partlsanshp and he too oil TO lit himself
above IT, Dou1tes. in that long and sometimes doubt
mi struggle he had Ike many others narrowed his vi
sion TO the immediate issue, and had come
to look upon parry success the supreme
thing since on it hung the preservation Of the Union
and the perpetuity OF free institutions. II was not
strange though II was lamentablc, that in tho
wider field OF national politics and in associa-
tions with men who had bent all their powers
OF mind to the consolidation Of the party for
the advancement OF personal ends, he should
have failed to meet the expectations or ms friends
TIE men OF pund VINO had 50 long and 40 success
uy used the good name OF an h0nOied party iO theif
own base purposes dragged his g0ld name ana hish
character down to their own base uses
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