The sun., 1891-05-17
A Forgotten Statesman.

John Dickinson's nsme to-day Is unknown
save to special students OF the Revolution.
Once it was household word throughout the
land. In tho great popular movements that
Immediately preceded the Revolution. Dickin-
son was regarded as a champion Of the
people. His fame WAS IS great In Boston Is in
Philadelphia. and reached across the sea to
England and to France. Most Of the state
paper. of the Revolution. those charters Of
American liberty wore conceived and writ.
ten by him. He drafted the Articles Of
Confederation: hs presided at tho Annapolis
Convention: and It was he who secured In the
Feusral Constitution the guarantees OF the
autonomy Of tho States. Tho highest oiflcss in
the gift Of Delaware and Pennsylvania were
his. Yet this great mans reputation was sud.
denly blasted BY the slanders Of an anony-
nous pamphleteer: these ISLANDERS became q
popular tradition. and oven passed into his
tory. 1t is only now. after seentury OF defama-
ton. that tho honor OF Dickinson has been
oonclusively vindicated BY Dr. CHARLES ].
ST1LLE. the historian, late Provost Of the uni
versity Of Pennsylvania. Hs Is the author OF
tho Life and Times ofJohn Dickinson, published
by the Lppincott Company.
For three generations the Dickinson family
had lived the life OF Maryland planters, at an
estate named Croisia. .dore. on the shores OF the
on tho 9th OF November. 1892 Tho first
immigrant OF the name, and all his descsndants
in Maryland. we're Ouakers a fact which ex-
plains many. traits in Dckinsons character.
and accounts for much OF his success and for
almost all that has since been turned 10 his
discredit. As n Quaker he had the confidence
OF fifth OF the people of Pennsylvania. Tho
Quaker aversion to- at least any but q deien-
sive policy was intimated from the beginning.
In his promotion OF tho petitions to the King.
and his reluctance to declare for indepen-
dsnce before 1t was inevitable. Hence. too.
came his oonoilistory and gentle disposition
serene unimpassIoned ju tgment that led him
ever to avoid extremes and to seek In all qrss-
tions middle course.
Young Dickinson wRa we'll grounded in the
classics by William KIlen. afterwards Chief
Justice and Chancellor Of Delaware; and his
good scholarship soon showed itself In tho clear
and elegant style for which he became noted.
In 1850 no entered the office OF John Moland. q
leader at the Pennsylyapis bar. Three years
later he went to England. and continued his
professional studies Mt the TemDls. DR.. Stills
comments on the importance Of this special
legal training Rre suggestive. OF lis Ameli-
cans who We're admitted to tho Inns Of Court
from 17GO 10 the close Of the Revolution. al.
u. u,
and Pennsylvania. and only one or
two from New England. Most Of these men
took an active an prominent part In the Rsvo-
luton. and all based their theories OF re-
slstance upon English law and Eng.
lish traditions. The New England law
ysrs. on the contrary. had little regard
Ior precedent. In Massachusetts, and Connsc-
tieut the influence OF the ConRregal lional
Clergy was still supreme. and the principles OF
the common law were subordinated by them to
what was called natural equity" or the
law Of God" Ols and the two Adamses. even
in legal arguments. constantly appealed to
this higher law. which. being interpreted.
could mean little else than each mans personal
preference; II the conduct of the Revolution
had been left to such enthusiasts, IL could |
hardly have won the support OF the sober |
minded business men Of New York and Phila. |
dslphia. or Of the psaee-lovinG. slowly moving !
farmers OF tho Middle and Southern States. 1t |
was the constitutional agitation promoted and |
psrsevsrsd In By Dickinson aud Jay. and justi. |
lied by the series Of ststs papers they drafted. |
that gradually drew the disoordsnt. Jealous |
polonIss together. and made the Declaration OF |
practicable BY delaying II till |
popular sentiment was fully rios.
Dtckinson's attention was early withdrawn !
rom law to politics. In 1760 he was elected Q |
member OF the Assembly OF the lower conn |
tIes," as Delaware was then Called which. |
hough subject to the Executive Of Pennsyl-
Vsnis. had ut that time q separate Assembly. |
Two years later he was o msmber Of the Penn. |
Assembly and argued In opposition |
10 Franklin for the retention OF the proprietary
IN arter "A hstt than anv nkalv IN ha 1rantad