The daily gazette., 1883-09-05
From YesrgRoAv
DnArH OF caARLEs RRowN.
An Interesting Career--A Startling Epi-
sode Of DeIawmre's Political History.

An Interesting Career--A Startling Ept-
sode Of DeIaware's Political History.
Charles Brown, weli-known public man,
died last night ut his home in Dover. Mr.
Brown was born in New Jersey and re-
moved to Philadelphia when boy and en-
tered q mercantile business on Water street.
Subsequently.he went to Virginia to superln-
tend the working Of some iron mines In
which he aud some friends were interested.
lie returned to PhiIad, lphia and was elected
to the State Senate, In which body he be-
came a distinguished figure In the Guberna- |
torial ENHANCEMENT known as the "Buck- |
shot War" resulting in the seating of Gov
ernor Porter. He was elected to Congress |
in 1S41 and 1S47, representing at different |
times the Southern district and Northern |
Liberties. During his career as q member
oil the House of Representatives at Wash
inRton he formed a warm and intimate |
friendship with Franklin Pierce. When the
latter was elected President, Mr.. Brown was |
appointed Collector Of the Port In Ptiladel |
phia, which position he held for several years |
with credit 10 himself and satifaction to the |
administration.
Mr.. Brown removed to Delaware about |
1855, and taking up his residence near |
Dover engaged in farming. He took an ac-
tive interest In politics, and froR his vtgor-
ous and indignant opposition to the miser- |
able outrages perpetrated in the name OF
'loyalty" upon the people of Delaware |
during the civil war, gained for himself the |
soubriquet of "Tinder- r-box" Charlie Brown. |
In 1862 William Temple, Democrat, was
elected Representative In Congress from
Delaware, receiving a majority of 81 votes
over George P. Fisher in total poll Of
16,065. The next spring Mr.. Temple died,
and special election was held In the fall OF
1868 TO I'LL the vacancy. Mr. Brown was
nominal d by the Democrats, at conven-
ton held in Dover on Thursday, October 8,
1858, and N. B. Smithers, of Dover, then
Secretary Of State, was the Republican can
didate.
The election was the most memorable
political event ever known In this State
Governor Cam on the Republican Executive,
failed to issue his proclamation fixing upon
the time for the special election until the
day he had privately decided upon was near
at hand, and as late as the Sd day of Novem-
Der he issued an order for the election to be
held upon the 18th. The Democrats, how
ever, made an active canvass, ,and were fully
prepared to elect their popular candidate by
a satisfactory majority.
But on Friday, November 13, 1868, was
perpetrated the crowning outrage upon the
rights of the people of Delaware. On that
day, in accordance with the request of the
local Republican managers, General <. l..
Tyler, commander of the Middle Depart
ment, Eighth Army Corps, issued his famous
General Orders, No. &c." reciting that
there were many "evil disposed" persons in
the State, who might "avail themselves OF
the indulgence which tolerates their p, esence
TO attempt to take part In OF embarrass the
approaching State election" and directing
the Provost Marshals and other military
officers to Support" the Judges of cleo
ton in requiring from all whose votes were
challenged the infamous "iron clad oath, +"
against which the soul of every real free
man in Delaware revolted in Indignation
and horror.
The effect of this outrageous order upon
the Democrats was electrical. 1t was issued
on the 18th of November. On the 18th a
meeting was held at New Castle and ad-
dresses were made by a number of leading
Democrats, recommending, in view of these
unholy proceedings, that the Democrats OF
New Castle county, whether officers of cleo
ton or voters, Submit to their disfranchse-
ment and take 20 part in the said special
election-but rely upon the official oaths
and consciences of the next House OF Repre-
sentatives in the Congress OF the United
States to declare null and void an election
SO held and conducted contrary to the laws
Of the State of Delaware in that behalf, and
controlled by power unknown TO the Con.
stitution and laws of our State"
This address was signed by Thomas +
son, Eiihu Jefferson, Thomas F. Dilworth
/. II. Fols, Thomas NJ. Ogle, William
Lyman, John P. Cochran, Isaac Grubb
William Herbert, R. T. Cochran and man,
other well-known Democrats of the county
1t was promptly sent to Kent and SUSSEX
counties, and the Democratic voters of tht
State accepted the recommendation almos
unanimously. Federal troops landed at tn,
foot OF Fourth street on the morning of tn,
plpPfiOu buf ihpir Y ran uyara NJ,
required, Tor OF the 5000 Democratic voter
in the State of Delaware only eight-six il
New Castle, none in Kent and two in Sus
sex-subscribed to the iniquitous oath ant
cast their votes for Hon. Charles Brown
Mr.. Smithers was elected PRACTICAL,
without opposition, but his triumph
was barren, and his acceptance O
the position proved an empty honor
for he was known not as the Representativ
of the people of Delaware, but as tn
creature of General Orders No So"
In early fe Mr. Brown married one of tn
daughters OF Governor Skunk, of Pennsy
vana. He was prominently before tn
people during all the political campaigns /
his younger days, and was known as
fluent and forcible speaker. His voice
mass meetings was remarkable for II
strength and clearness and his u terances r,
plete with utiltaran principles, Whic
made him popular with the masses. H
possessed popular manners without tn
traits of the demagOgue and was radici
Democrat in his political principles. In hi
social and domestic relations he was agre,
able and conscientious and of the MOI
equable disposition. During the last 10
IL years of his life in Delaware he took L
part in politics, but devoted himself excl
sively to his farming interests and the loo
affairs of his neighborhood.
60
Work Given out.
On receipt of your address we will NAL
an offer by which you can earn So to
evenings, at your home. Men, Won e.
Boys or Girls can do it. H. c. WilkinsC
q Co., 1875 and 1877 Fulton street, Ne
York.