USA > New Mexico > Men of our day; or, biographical sketches of patriots, orators, statemen, generals, reformers, financiers and merchants, now on the stage of action > Part 24
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December, 1828, was admitted to the bar, and established him- self in practice at Cooperstown, New York. Entering warmly, also, into politics, he became prominent in the Democratic party ; and, in 1830, was appointed, by Governor Throop, adju- tant-general of the State, in which capacity he rendered effi- cient service to the militia of New York. In 1833, he was elected Secretary of State for New York, becoming ex-oficio a regent of the University, and a member of the board of Public Instruction, the Canal board, and a commissioner of the Canal fund. By his wise foresight and energy, school libraries were introduced into the public and district schools, and the school- laws of the State were codified and systematized.
In 1841 and 1842, he represented Albany county in the New York Legislature, taking an active and influential part in the most important measures of that period, such as the liquidation of the State debt by taxation, and the establishment of single Congressional districts. In the fall of 1842, Mr. Dix accom- panied his invalid wife abroad, spending that winter and the following year in the southern climates of Europe. Return- ing to the United States in June, 1844, he was chosen, in January following, to fill the unexpired term in the United States Senate, of Hon. Silas Wright, who had recently been elected Governor of the State of New York. He took his seat in that body, January 27, 1845, and speedily secured a deservedly high position among his confreres, being energetic and indus- trious to a remarkable degree, and always well prepared for what ever question might arise. As chairman of the Committee on Commerce, and as a member of the Committee on Military Affairs, he did the country excellent service. He was the author of the warehousing system then adopted by Congress, and gave to the Canadian debenture law, and the bill for reciprocal trade, much of his time and attention. When, during the short session of
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1845, the Santa Fé debenture bill was proposed, he secured an amendment including the Canadas, which, together with the original bill, was largely indebted to his advocacy for its pas- sage. His bill for reciprocal trade with Canada, formed the basis for the subsequent reciprocity treaty. He also took great interest in army affairs, as in well as the annexation of Texas, the war with Mexico, and the Oregon difficulty ; and firmly main- tained the right of Congress to legislate with regard to slavery in the Territories. Owing to divisions in the Democratic party, he was not re-elected to the Senate; but ran, unsuccessfully, as the nominee of the " Free Soil" wing of that party, for Governor, in the fall of 1848. He actively sustained the nomination of General Pierce for the presidency, in 1852, and upon that gentle- man's accession to office, was tendered the office of Secretary of State; which, owing to the opposition made by the Southern Democrats of the Mason and Slidell school, he was induced to decline, as also the appointment of minister to France, which was subsequently offered him. In 1853, he was made Assistant United States Treasurer in New York city ; but, on the appoint- ment of John Y. Mason to the French embassy, resigned the position, and withdrew almost wholly from politics, devoting his time, until 1859, to legal practice. At that time, however, he was appointed, by President Buchanan, postmaster of New York city, vice I. V. Fowler, absconded.
When, in January, 1861, Messrs. Floyd and Cobb, of the first Buchanan cabinet, resigned their positions and fled from Washington, the financial embarrassments of the Government required the appointment of a Secretary of the Treasury, in whose probity, patriotism, and skill the whole country could confide, General Dix was called to that high office, and entered on its duties, January 15, 1861. The promptness of his measures
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did as much to reassure the public and save the Government, as the exertions of any other man in Washington.
On the 18th of January, 1861, three days after he took charge of the Treasury Department, he sent a special agent to New Orleans and Mobile, for the purpose of saving the revenue ves- sels at those ports, from seizure by the rebels. The most valua- ble of these vessels, the Robert McClelland, was commanded by Captain John G. Breshwood, with S. B. Caldwell as his lieu- tenant. Breshwood refused to obey the orders of General Dix's agent, Mr. Jones ; and on being informed of this refusal, General Dix telegraphed as follows :- " If any man attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot !" memorable words, which became a watchword throughout the loyal States.
While a member of Buchanan's cabinet, Major (now General) Robert Anderson made his famous strategical movement from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter, which so excited the indignation of the (arch-rebel) Secretary Floyd, that he threatened to resign if Anderson was not ordered back. General Dix, thereupon, promptly notified Mr. Buchanan, that Major Anderson's recall would be the signal for the immediate resignation of himself and the other members of the Cabinet (Messrs. Stanton and Holt), and his firmness decided the course of the weak-minded execu- tive, and Floyd himself left-none too soon for his own neck, or the country's good.
On the 6th of March, 1861, Mr. Dix retired from the Treasury Department, and returned to his home in New York city, where he presided, on the 20th of April, over an immense meeting of the citizens of the metropolis, convened in Union Square, to take measures for the defence of the Constitution and the laws, so recently and rudely assailed by the rebel attack upon Fort Sum- ter -- and he was also chairman of the " Union Defence Commit- tec," organized at that meeting. On the 6th of May, he was
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appointed a major-general of volunteers, from New York; and, on the 16th of the following June, he was appointed major- general in the regular army, dating from May 16th, 1861, by President Lincoln, and placed in command of the department of Maryland, his headquarters being at Baltimore. The first military movement of the war that was successful, was made under his command by General Lockwood. The counties of Accomac and Northampton, in Virginia, known as the Eastern Shore, were occupied by him, the rebels driven out, and the mildness and justness of his government restored them as loyal counties to the Union, while every other part of Virginia was in arms and devastated with war. The command of Maryland at that period required a man of the greatest tact, firmness, and judgment ; for that reason, General Dix was selected by the President. His rule was one of such moderation and justice, that his reputation in Baltimore is honored by his most violent political opponents.
In May, 1862, he was transferred to the command of the military department of Eastern Virginia, with headquarters at Fortress Monroe. This department enjoyed the benefit of his services until July, 1863, when he was transferred to the Department of the East, with headquarters at New York city. To his very prompt action for the prevention of any outbreak during the draft of August, 1863, the metropolis was indebted for the peaceful manner in which that draft was finally carried out. His subsequent assignments to duty were administrative, and attended with no particular incidents of importance, except the trial of John Y. Beall and R. C. Kennedy, as spies and con- spirators, in February and March, 1865, and their execution. At the so-called National Union Convention at Philadelphia, August 14, 1866, General Dix was temporary chairman. In the autumn of 1866 he was nominated, by the President, naval
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officer of the port of New York, and the same day, United States minister to France, in place of Hon. John Bigelow, re- signed. After some hesitation, General Dix made his election to accept the post of minister to France, and having been con- firmed by the Senate, arrived in Paris, and was presented to the Emperor in January, 1867. He still occupies this position. In the intervals of a very busy life, General Dix has found some time for authorship, and his writings are marked by a united grace and dignity of style, which renders them, when not on technical or professional subjects, attractive and readable. This is specially true of his " A Winter in Madeira" (New York, 1851), and " A Summer in Spain and Florence" (New York, 1855). His speeches and public addresses were collected in two fine volumes in 1865. He has also published " Resources of the City of New York" (New York, 1827), and "Decisions of the Superintendent of Common Schools of New York," and laws relating to common schools (Albany, 1837).
Though now in his seventieth year, General Dix preserves the erect and military bearing of the soldier, and, during the late war, was one of the finest looking officers in the army. He bears a high reputation for thorough honesty and integrity, and his character is irreproachable. If, with increasing years, he has, like his former chief, General Scott, a little vanity, it is a pardonable weakness, a most venial fault, of which his great public services should render us oblivious.
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WILLIAM ALFRED BUCKINGHAM.
ILLIAM ALFRED BUCKINGHAM is a direct descend- ant, in the sixth generation, from the Rev. Thomas Buckingham and his wife Hester Hosmer, who were of Hartford, Connecticut, in 1666. His father, Captain Buckingham, as he was called, was a farmer, in Lebanon, Con- necticut, a shrewd manager of property, of clear mind and sound judgment, and frequently appealed to as umpire in matters of difference between neighbors. His wife was a remarkable woman, having few equals in all that was good, endowed with strong natural powers both of mind and body, indomitable perseverance and energy ; with, as one of her neighbors described her, " a great generous heart."
WILLIAM ALFRED BUCKINGHAM, who was born at Lebanon, May 24th, 1804, happily partook of the strong points of both his parents. His father being absent from home, on business, during a portion of the year, much of the work and care of the farm necessarily devolved upon him, while yet a mere boy, and he thus early acquired habits of industry and self-reliance. One who knew him well at this period of his life, says, "I don't think any thing left in his care was ever overlooked or neglected." The same friend says, " he was early trained in the school of benevolence. I have often seen him sent off on Saturday afternoons, when the weather was severe, with a wagon load of wood, from his father's well-stored wood-shed,
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and a number of baskets and budgets, destined to cheer some destitute persons in the neighborhood, and make them comfort- able. He received his education at the common school in Lebanon, and passed a term or two at Colchester Academy- evincing a peculiar fondness for the study of mathematics, especially in the higher branches. As he grew up, he developed as a lively, spirited "fast" young man, in the best acceptation of that term-his habits being excellent, and integrity being a marked feature in his character. Indeed, he was regarded as rather a leader among the young people with whom he asso- ciated.
In early manhood, he was a member of a cavalry militia company, and "trooped" with the same energy which has since characterized him in whatever he undertook-excelling in military matters, and becoming a master of the broadsword exercise.
Commencing mercantile life, as a clerk in the city of New York; at the age of twenty years, he removed to Norwich, Connecticut, in 1825, and entered into the employ of Messrs. Hamlin, Buckingham & Giles. A few years later he com- menced business on his own account, and by enterprise, thrift, punctuality, and honorable dealing, became a most successful and widely respected merchant. He has since been extensively engaged in various manufactures; especially in the Hayward Rubber Company, of which he was treasurer for many years; and the town of Norwich has been largely indebted to his example and influence. He was one of the founders of the Norwich Free Academy, and, in 1849, was elected mayor of the city, which office he filled for two years. His eminently practical mind and great executive ability have contributed largely to the manufacturing and industrial interests of his native State; and the whole weight
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of his personal character and sympathies has ever been enlisted in support of religion, temperance, industry, and education. We have it on excellent authority, that the governor, at the commencement of his business career, made a resolve to set aside one fifth of each year's income to be applied to objects of religious benevolence; and that his experience was for many years, and perhaps is still, that each year's income was so much in excess of that which preceded it, that at the year's end he always had an additional sum to distribute to objects of benevolence, to make out the full fifth of his receipts. A striking illustration this, of the declaration of holy writ: "There is that scattereth and yet increaseth." During the eight terms of his gubernatorial career, his entire salary, as governor, was bestowed upon benevolent objects; for the most part, we believe, on Yale college, in which he founded several scholarships, for worthy but indigent students. In- deed, the spirit of benevolence which he inherited from his parents, has ever remained a distinguishing feature of his character. In providing for the wants of the poor and unfor- tunate, and in the unostentatious performance of every good work, Governor Buckingham's life has been a record of un wearied industry.
The qualities which had gained him the respect of his fellow- citizens, as they became more widely known, commended him to the public as a candidate for higher positions of trust and responsibility. In 1858, he was elected Governor of Connecti- cut, and to the same office he was re-elected in 1859, and 1860. Again, on the 1st of April, 1861, he was chosen to the guberna- torial chair, by a majority of two thousand and eighty-six votes, the entire Republican State ticket being elected, at the same time, together with a large Union and Republican majority in both houses of the General Assembly. On the 15th of the same
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month, he received the President's call for seventy-five thousand volunteers. The Legislature was not then in session, but the governor had been among the first to see (in 1860) the rising cloud of "the irrepressible conflict." He had long since aban- doned any hopes of settling the national difficulties by compro- mise; he had recognized them as questions on which every citizen must decide squarely, for right or wrong, for freedom or slavery. Therefore his action, when the storm burst, was prompt and decided. He took immediate measures on his own responsibility, to raise and equip the quota of troops required from Connecticut ; his own extensive financial relations enabling him to command the funds needed for the purpose. He threw himself into the work, with all the force of his energetic nature ; and during that week of anxiety, when Washington was isolated from the north, by the Baltimore rising, his message-that the State of Connecticut was coming "to the rescue," with men and money, was the first intimation received by the President, that help was near at hand. The banks came to his aid, and money and personal assistance were tendered freely by prominent par- ties in every section of the State-so that, by the time (May 1st) that the Legislature had assembled in extra session (in response to a call which he had made upon the receipt of Mr. Lincoln's proclamation), he had the pleasure of informing them that forty- one volunteer companies had already been accepted, and that a fifth regiment was ready. Ten days later, the first regiment, eight hundred and thirty-four strong, under Colonel (afterwards General) A. H. Terry, left the State, equipped with a thorough- ness-as were all the Connecticut troops-which elicited univer- sal admiration from all who beheld them.
Soon after he pronounced his conviction, in an official communication to the Washington cabinet, that "this is no ordinary rebellion," that it "should be met and suppressed by a
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power corresponding with its magnitude," that the President " should ask for authority to organize and arm a force of half a million of men, for the purpose of quelling the rebellion, and for an appropriation from the public treasury sufficient for their support," "that legislation upon every other subject should be regarded as out of time and place, and the one great object of suppressing the rebellion be pursued by the Administration, with vigor and firmness." "To secure such high public inter- ests," said the governor, "the State of Connecticut will bind her destinies more closely to those of the General Government, and in adopting the measures suggested, she will renewedly pledge all her pecuniary and physical resources, and all her moral power." It will be seen, therefore, that Governor Buckingham took an accurate and comprehensive view of the extent, the probable course and the power of the war just inaugurated- and better would it have been for our country, if others of our leading statesmen had pursued, at that critical hour, the same calm, clear insight and broad statesmanship. There was nothing undecided in his thought or action. His suggestions upon every point relative to the prosecution of the war, and the policy of the State, were full of patriotic, far-seeing wisdom. He was nobly seconded by a loyal Legislature, and though "peace men" tried to intimidate the Unionists, their attempts recoiled upon their own heads. By the 1st of March, 1862, fifteen Connecticut regiments were in the field, and by November following, 28,551 soldiers had been furnished to the defence of the Union, by the little " Wooden Nutmeg State."
In April, 1862, Governor Buckingham was re-elected and his efforts were as untiring as ever. No amount of disaster in the field, of hesitation in council, or of depression in the public mind, seemed to affect him. He was always ready to make greater sacrifices ; always full of hope and determination; and, with the
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late lamented John A. Andrew, the noble governor of the sister State of Massachusetts, he was among the earliest to urge the necessity of an Emancipation Proclamation upon President Lin- coln. When that great step had at length been taken, he wrote to the President these cheering and congratulatory words :
" Permit me to congratulate you and the country that you have so clearly presented the policy which you will hereafter pursue in suppressing the rebellion, and to assure you it meets my cordial approval, and shall have my unconditional support. The State has already sent into the army, and has now at the rendezvous, more than one half of her able-bodied men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, and has more to offer, if wanted, to contend in battle against the enemies of our Government."
The spring campaign of 1863 was an exciting one; em- boldened by the ill-success of the national arms, the Democracy rallied around the standard. of " no more war !" while the Re- publicans, with equal ardor, advocated a more vigorous prose- cution of the war, and were cordially seconded by the Connecti- cut soldiers in the field. Buckingham, however, was re-elected by a majority of 2637, in a total vote of 79,427, in which had been polled 9000 more votes than the year previous, and 2000 more than the aggregate presidential vote of 1860.
In April, 1864, Governor Buckingham was re-nominated by the Republicans, against Origen S. Seymour, Democrat, and was elected by a majority of 5,658, in a total vote of 73,982. Again, in 1865, he was re-elected governor over the same opponent by a majority of 11,035, in a vote of 43,374.
In his annual message he strongly advocated giving soldiers in the field the privilege of the ballot, and national legislation for the abolishment of slavery.
With 1865, closed Governor Buckingham's long gubernato-
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WILLIAM ALFRED BUCKINGHAM.
rial career of eight years, of which five were " war years, fully tasking his every physical and mental power, and loading him with an incessant burden of responsibility and care. His course, during this arduous term of service, had commanded the uni- versal respect of his fellow-citizens, and the admiration of all loyal hearts throughout the Northern States. Prominent among that noble circle of loyal governors who rallied around the President, in his darkest hours, with brotherly advice and en- couraging words, Governor Buckingham's relations with Mr. Lincoln strongly remind us of those between President Wash- ington and Governor Trumbull, the "Brother Jonathan" of the Revolutionary war.
After the close of his last term of service, in April, 1866, he returned to Norwich, where he is now quietly engaged in mer- cantile affairs. He has lately been nominated, and warmly endorsed by his fellow-citizens, in the Republican State Conven- tion of Connecticut, for the vice-presidency upon the Grant ticket.
Still more recently, on the 19th of May, 1868, he was elected, by the Legislature of Connecticut, United States Senator from that State for the six years ending March 4, 1875, in place of James Dixon, who had proved false to the party that advanced him to that high office.
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GOVERNOR REUBEN E. FENTON.
OVERNOR FENTON is one of the few men who, bred neither to law nor politics, but occupied during early life with mercantile pursuits, have entered later in their career into the political arena, and acquitted themselves so well as to be advanced to, and continued in, high station. Though himself a native of the State of New York, his family, like many others whose record we have given in this volume, are of Connecticut origin. He claims descent from Robert Fen- ton, a man of note among the settlers of the eastern part of Con- necticut, and who was one of the patentees of the town of Mans- field, when that town was set off from Windham, in 1703. During the Revolutionary war, the family was noted for its patriotism, and furnished its full share of soldiers for that great struggle. The grandfather of the governor, about 1777, removed to New Hampshire, in which State his father was born. In the early part of the present century, Mr. Fenton, then an enterprising young farmer, removed to what is now the town of Carroll, Chautauqua county, New York, then a portion of the Holland land patent, where he purchased a tract of land, and by dint of constant hard work, brought this portion of "the forest primeval" into the condition of a pleasant and profitable farm. Here- July 4, 1819-his son, REUBEN E. FENTON, was born.
Young Fenton's early years were spent upon the paternal homestead, and though an amiable, friendly and popular boy
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among his associates, he seems to have developed no remarkable genius or ability in his boyhood. He was somewhat fond of military studies, and in the boyish trainings was uniformly chosen captain, and it was probably owing to this taste that he was chosen colonel of the 162d regiment, New York State militia, before he was twenty-one years of age.
His opportunities for acquiring an education were very lim- ited, but they were well improved. He was a good scholar when he was in the common-school, and when, subsequently, he passed a few terms in different academies, he made rapid pro- gress as a student, and won the approbation of his preceptors for his manly qualities and exemplary deportment. He read law one year, not with the view of going into the profession, but to make himself familiar with the principles and forms of that science, under the impression that this knowledge would be useful to him in whatever business he might engage.
At the age of twenty, he commenced business, with very limited means and under adverse circumstances. But the fact did not discourage him, nor turn him from his purposes. The world was before him, and what others had accomplished, young Fenton resolved should be done by him. He went at his work with all the earnestness and energy of his character, and a few years saw him a successful and prosperous merchant. While in this pursuit, he turned his attention to the lumber trade, as an auxiliary to his mercantile business. He was still a young man when he purchased his first " boards and shingles," and as he floated off upon his fragile raft, valued at less than one thousand dollars, there were not wanting those who wondered at his temerity, and the failure of his enterprise was confidently pre- dicted. But nothing could dampen his ardor. He tied his little raft safely on the shore of the Ohio, near Cincinnati, went into the city, found a customer, sold his lumber, and returned to his
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