Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1860-03-03
From the Sudbury Pa) American.
Secret of Simon Cameron's Popularity

Our reportorial brother Of the IAN
easter Daily E.rpress, an independent
paper, commenting upon the sketch of
the life ofGen. Cameron, which recent
" appeared in this paper, holds him M
as an example of industry and energy
rewarded, and explains what seems 10
many to be a mysterv, and to some an
evidence OF corruption" on the part
OF the shrewd politician. Many per-
sons believe that Simon Cameron has
s'bought'' about half the presses in
Pennsy lvania; and the opinion is found
ed on the fact that SO many Journals.
especially i'll the country, are ready at
all times to stand up in his defence and
support. Our contemporary explains
this upon another hypothesis. There
is probably no man in the State who
has betriended so many poor journey
men printers as Gen. Cameron. He
has never forgotten his OVID early strug-
giles, and hence the most ragged "tray-
cling jour, ii sober and worthy. has
never appealed to him for assistance in
vain. Our brotherhood Of the Eapress,
who has not forgotten a kindness done
him by Gen. Cameron, years ago, clos
es his article by relating this incident,
which shows that ingrattnde is not
among the sins for which he will have
to answer:
eve dare say that Gen Cameron is
as much surprised sometimes as any
body possibly can be, when some news
paper, whose conductor is unknown to
him, gives him the benefit of rousinc
'leader" Or pungent paragraph; for
he has befriended SO many Jour prin-
tiers, III whose seedv appearance he
could hardly see signs of future posi-
ton, that it would be impossible for
him to remember them all. And should
he see this article-began rs hasty
''ltem," but now growing on our hands
under the impulse of the memory of
other ANA darker 1ays-he will be ia
ken by surprise; for he doubtless has
long since forgotten that some twelve
or thirteen years ago, when the writer
had neither hope III his heart, ambition
in vision, nor friends within reach
too feeble to travel on foot, and with
out money to reach either employment
or sympathy-he met the General, an
entire stranger-but did not part So
We do not feel that it detracts from
our manhood to say that the pecuniary
assistance, so promptly rendered.
than was asked, or expected, CT accept
| ed-retreshed a weary frame, and sent
Responding heart on his way reioic-
ing; but it was the words of sympathy
and encouragement he offered, strength
ened by a delicate reference to his own
early history, that it may be, proved a
turning point in a then short but not
eventful life. The remembrance Of
that hour, of that act, trifiirg as it NAV
seem to others, is not, nor cannot be
forgotten. And how many Of those
connected with the press, who sympa-
thize with Simon Cameron, are actjla-
ted by 4 similar motive? We could
name number, but we have nothing
to do with revealing the secret motives
of other mems hearts. We have new
er CHANGED to be thrown in the way of
Gen. Cameron since that day. His
name is before the people in connec-
ton with the Presidency. 1t is not our
mission to urge his claims, or to discuss
his OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES is not party
paper. But, as we have said before,
ingratitnde is not sin for which
printer should allow himself to be call
ed to account and, should Simon Cam
eron be nominated, by any party, for
that OF any other office: within reach
Of the vote of the writer, he is neither
ashamed nor afraid to say that the hand
which now holds this pen would then
hold complimentary vote" for the
Printers friend and benefactor.
Madison Eah 0Stb