Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-03-25
Obasu airy.


The death Of John Hickman, which had been
for some time anticipated, occurred At his resi-.
dence at West Chester, Oh Tuesday, at ll.l5
o'clock, A. N.
Mr.. Hickman was one of the most vigorous
and independent men which the soil Of Eastern
Pennsylvania has produced. Born in East Brad
ford township, Chester county, September lltl,,
1910, the son OF plain but intelligent farmer, he
early showed intellectual force, and WAS provided
with good education, mainly by the advantage
Of private instruction received from = tutor, y
graduate OF the University OF Edinburgh. He
first pnrposed to study medicine, but ultimately
qualified him to achieve success. Studying with
Hon. Townsend Hainss, (Aitefw ards Judge he
came to the bar in 1889, and soon took promi.
nent position, his strength lying especially IN his
ability ~ . peader. For fifteen months, he
filled the office Of District Attorney.
In pubic life, however, and in that stormy pc.
Rod Of National affairs Which was preclpltated BY
the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise, Mr. Kick
mAu gained the laurels of his life. The ordeal
Of fire which tested the purity and earnestnes,
OF the Northern character III the Kansas Ne
braska struggle. made him historic figure. lie
was, to begin witl,a true Democrat, with theories
Of popular rights ingrAined in his nature. Attach
ed to tho Democratic party, III his youth, he was
nominated by it for Congress, in 1854, and elect.
ed by the large majority Of 1850, entering Con.
gress just ~ the troubles in Kaness were
developed. He there manfully withstood the
pro-slavery pressure in the " Lecompton " con-
test, where so many Northen Democrats, at first
showing signs OF Independence, ultimately
gave way, and when the struggle ended, with
Kansas Free State, he stood almost alone
among the Anti. Lecompton Democrats.
In 1856, the Democrats had renominated and
again elected him, but when lie parted company
with Buchanan, they threw him overheard, in
1858, and nominated Chss. d. Manley, for Con.
gress, while the Republicans nominated Hon.
John NJ. BroOmali. This was Mr.. Hickman :
greatest opportunity and triumph. He went i'll
to the field, as All independent Democrat, stump
ing the District with wonderful energy, aud fair.
ly turning it upside down. He had no party or
gRnization Al his back, but his troops Of friends
organized for him. A large body OF the Repub
licans supported him and the result gave him
the seat, again, by plurality Of l, Sol In 1860
the republicans nominated him 81 their can
didate and again elected him.
Mr.. Hickman wont out of Congress in 1868
and substantially closed his public career. He
served one term in the Legislature OF Pennsyl-
vanis in 1866, but this added nothing to his rep
utation. In the Chicago Republican Conven-
ton OF 1860, he received large vote for the
Vice Presidency. HIS speeches in Congress
we're effective and eloquent. When, in the
bitter contest over the Speakership, in the
House, in December, 1869, Curry Of Alabama,
declared that the ''election OF Mr.. Seward, or
Mr. Chase, or any such representative Of the
Republican party ought to be resisted to the
disruption Of every tie that binds this Confeder-
acy together" Mr.. Hickman replied in speech
of great force and eloquence, wherein he an
swered the threats OF secession with language
equally strong THIS speech created profound
sensation at the time, and helped to rouse tile
numbering patriotism Of the Democrats.
In debate, Mr.. Hickman was quick, terse. ep-
grammatic, and eloquent, not nfrequentiy car
rying onviction with pointed distinctness to
doubling minds. In the habit Of his life, he
Incorporate habits finally broke down his con-
dstngaished" sa aga THfss la what was
career.