Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-02-12
Tug RAFTsMAN's JOURNAL, 49,

their personal and Official intercourse and
the reluctance with which he had first accept
ed position in his administration. Such
confessions and acknowledgements, emanating
from such men, cannot fail in elciting the pro :
found respect of the country. Nor will the
tender by the President of another important
position 10 General Cameron, while he accepts
his resignation as Secretary of War, fail to
increase the respect and confidence of the
people for both Gen. Cameron and the Presi-
dent. as the evidence of the formers strength
aud character as a Statesman, and the fact of
the discernment and discretion Of the latter
an Executive officer. Altogether, this cor
respondence must form chapter of remarka-
bic interest in the history of the National Ad-
ministration, at once fraug ht with noble vindi
cation, frankly expressed confidence, and
manly reciprocity both of personal and officiaI
respect and esteem.
Gen. Cameron's reply to the President is as
follows:
ssWAR DEPARTMENT.,
Washington, January IL, 1862,
"My Dear Sir II have the honor to ac-
knowledge your favor OF this date land to thank
you, with profound respect, for its kind and
generous tone. When you were elected Pres
ident, result to which contributed my best
eXertiens, had no thought of leaving the
Senate OF the United States, or of accepting
any position within your gift. But when you
invited me to Springfield, Illinois. and pre-
sented ME the choice of one OF two named
places in the list of your constitutional ad :
vlsers, could not, for grave public reasons,
and after great reflection, refuse a trust so
trying and laborious. My life had been one
of constant labor and excitement. | looked
to the Senate the best field, after such a
life, IN which to serve M country and my
State. 1t was only when [ realized that |
might be of service to the general cause in
the darkly fore eshadowed future that ventured
TO undertake the manifold and various respon-
sibilities of the War Department. / felt when
| saw the traitors leaving their seats in Con
gress, and when the Star of the West was fired
upon in Charleston harbor, that bloody con-
flict was inevitable.
81 have devoted myself without interruption
TO my official Duties and have given to them
all my energies. / have done my best 1t
was impossible, in the direction of operations
so extensive, but that some mistakes should
have happened, and some complications and
complaints should have arisen. In view of
such considerations thank you for the ex-
preston of your confidence in my ability,
patriotism and fidelity to public trust. Thus
my own conscientious sense of doing my duty
by the Executive and by my country, is ap-
proved by the acknowledged head OF the Gov
ernment himself
"When became member Of your admins
tration l avowed my purpose TO retire from
the Cabinet as soon as my duty to my country
would allow me TO do so. In yeur letter of
this days date, so illustrative of your just and
upright character, yeu revive the fact that
sometime ago expressed the same purpose TO
you, and in reminding me Of this you proffer
for my acceptance one OF the highest diplo-
matte positions at your bestowal, as an addi-
tional mark of your confidence and esteem.
SIN retiring from the War Department, l
feel that the mighty army of the United States
is ready to do battle for the Constitution that
it is marshalled by gallant and experienced
leaders that it is animated with the greatest
enthusiasm for the good cause, and also that
my successor in this Department, is my per-
sonal friend, who unites to wonderful intellect
and yigor, the grand essential of being in
earnest in the present struggle, aud of being
resolved upon speedy and overwhelming tr-
umph of our arms. / therefore frankly accept
the new distinction you have rendered me, and
as soon as an important and long neglected
private business can be arranged, | will enter
upon the important duties of the mission
which you have assigned me.
81 have the honor to be, my dear sir,
s'Your obedient and humble servant,
sSIMoN CAMERON
ssAbraham Lincoln, President