Daily Republican., 1884-06-23
DEATH OF MR.. +. VINCENT.
ENDING or A LONG AND PROM.
NENT CABRERA BRIEF
SKETCH OF LIS LIFE.

frapc1S vincent, one of Wilmington
Ioldest and most prominent citizen,
died at his home, No. 8O5 French stree
about l O'Clock this {Monday) morr
ing, surrounded by members of til
Immediate family, who were hastil
summoned to his bedside when his con
dition became alarming. Mr.. Vincen
contracted the malaria fever about 1
mon this ago, which soon developed int
a serious complication Of diseases
which finally resulted in his death.
AT times, during his illness, he woul.
show marked signs of improvements
and, with the assistance Of one OF hi
daughters, would attend to his rsgula
business, shat ofprocuring pensions 70
old veterans 10 the late war. Iu thi
particular line he met with consider
able success, and has, mainly through
II his influence at Washington, succeeded
in securing quite large number @
ipeusions for his numerous clients. Som,
time during last year Mr.. Vincen
took trip to the Delaware Water an
which was Of great benefit to his sys
ten, but the disease still fingered unit
death relieved him Of his sutlerings, h,
passing away In a semi-unconsciou.
condition, apparently suffering witt
little pain. While his family had buI
little hopes Of his ultimate recovery, it
was not thought that his death would
result 80 soon, consequently his sudden
demise was quite shock.
| Deceased was born in England In
1922, but was brought to this country
when he was only about five years old.
He was brought up in Dover, Del,
whore he received common school
education. At the age OF II he
entered as a printers apprentice in the
office o. John Newton Harker, at that
time editor and proprietor of the Dsla.
ware Gazette. In August, 1S45, he
corImenced the publication of the
famous Blue Hens Chicken" in
connection with William T. Jeandell.
Blue Hens Chickens" was the name
given to tho Delaware soldiers Of the
Revolution hence, the name of the
now journalistic enterprise.
AT the end of two years Mr. Vincent
became sole proprietor, and at oncs in
augurated new method of newspaper
conduct. The county journals Of that
time were made up from the city press
to the almost utter exclusion of State
and local matters, but the " Blue Hen $
Chicken" took up the affair. of Will
mington and Delaware, and made them
Its principal feature. The publication
Of courts and public bodies, the con-
struction OF new buildings and vessels,
tho opening Of nsw roads, with other in
forma1ion, were announced and discus
sed, and at the end of three months, the
paper had the largest circulation in the
State.
In State matters, 1t advocated the
election ofofticers by the people Instead
OF their appointment by the Governor,
the representation in the Legislature
and Levy Court according to popula-
tion, q reform in law by reducing Latin
and Norman French terms to English,
and the teaching Of the elements Of law
in the public schools, the abolition Of
the pillory and the whipping post
especially the whipping Of women a
systCm OF universal education, ratifica.
ton Of the more important laws by
popular ballot, the exemption of por-
tlon OF citizen s goods from forced seiz.
ure for debt, the limitation Of days
labor in mechanical pursuits to ten
hours, tho abolition Of slavery, and the
abrogation OF the laws which sold free
colored man under certain conditions,
and bound out c0lored children against
the will OF their parents. In national
affairs, ii advised the homestead law,
the establishment Of libraries in fvrts
and vessels, p system Of education for
soldiers snd sailors, and the appoint
ment OF a portion OF officers iu the army
and navy from among those who should
pass satisfactory examinations, and the
abolition ofsiavery in the District Of
Columbia.
In local matters, 1t urged the pur-
'hase and freeing Of Wilmington bridge |
Dy the county, tho construction of q |
,oau straight TO the Delaware, the wi.
toniug of Water and King streets, the
reelng of all turnrikes entering the
NY, ths building us railroad from
|" lInington to Reading, and other less
important matters Many of these
hlpEa, Mr.. Vincent lived to see ac-
om plishcd.
Opposition to such course was in.
Vitable, among politicians at any
ate, and was especially sharp with
hat portion of the Wing party which
ontrolled the State aud held all its
ttices.
wishing to test public sentiment,
iT vincent pernisientty recommauded
be calling OF n State convention to ,
Tier tho constitution. Meanwhile i
th"r newspapers took up these Ques-
ions, and the young aGitor made his
ltluence felt throughout the State. 1t
'as chiefiy by bis instrnmentality that ,
he Governornhip Of the Sta5" was turn +
Il over 1ronl the Whigs to the Demo- T.
rats in lS46, and a puogent article on +
'h " n oral Effects of Hanging"
ubliaAod in 1913, resulted in the pas r
'He ri law BY the Legislature, proh- {
ltiHE HH'iic hAnClEgs Tho persistent n
ttrr"hc" Vi bis con victions in favor of ii
bo'iil'n ni a%aiDSt tn. k dnapplug Of; +
ee ""ioTr't hrCp'e, heca'nr s1obnoxious
: Official circles, tba', ju ihe spring of |,
}5h. l" paper vas denounced by II
ldSe Eggithon, OF Mary land, who de- a
AIRED from tho bench any one taking =,
t.nn. the nost-otlice was liable to i'm e
lsuniIent. n,
This edict cOsD Mr. Vincent almost a
$ entiro circulation in that State. His ii
lv0cacy Of the abolition OF the lottery A,
stem cost him n libel suit and p finol
5000, though the amount of this fine
as afterwards refunded to him by the
,gslature out Of the State Treasury.
1902 he published al article that la
used rhe breaking up Of fraudulent le
nix that had been established in Mil NJ
I'd, Del. by knot of Nav York al
arps. He also urged tho uniou Of n
,Iaware, Tie Eastern shore Of Mary. t'
nd anu Northampton and Accomac Ia
uuties OF Virginia into one State. as
His articles concerning The improve.
sut and cultivation of waste lands, li'
d the peculiar advantages of the CT
il and climate of the State, attracted q
eat attention and stimulated new set. al
ments. In 1850, he proposed in the ID
lumns of his paper, substantially, the ot
es1nt school system Of the city Of 10
ilmington. W
The sensible discussion and constant IN
itabiOn Of the questions and measures ~
hal infrni need rp,nsgari y ri,,U upnu DI