American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-07-20
CORRESPONDENCE.

AESSRS. EDITORS wv lth the eXcep
tion of little excitement about the raid
"A few companies organizing and few
cowardly farmers and others from the bor-
der, making their way north. with then
horses, &C., everything is quiet here
The dispatches from the front are beau
tifully uncertain; but the people exhibit
some philosophy in remaining cool and
patiently awaiting the development Of
time.
The political event of the day, was the
meeting of the Union State Executive
Committee which met yesterday afternoon,
at the residence of its chairman, Hon
Simon Cameron This was the first meet
ing of this committee since its appoint
ment in April last. Its primary object,
of course, was organization and an inter
change of opinion, as to the proper mode
of managing the approaching campaign,
to successful termination.
Judging from circumstances, your cor
respondent is inclined to believe that there
were other matters which the meeting of
the committee was intended to influence
1t will be remembered that the appoint
ment Of Mr.. Cameron to the chairman
ship of this committee was rather sur
prise on the party. lie had been, for some
time, enjoying the reposc of private life,
and it was not even thought that he wish
ed, at this time, to appear upon the stage
of political action, still when it was re-
flected that Hon Geo. v Lawrence. the
President of the Convention-was a very
disciple of Mr. Cameron, the appointment
of the latter was not to be wondered at
But, while Mr, Camcron's appointment
took many by surprise, it was not unfa-
vorably received; while before the war.
he was looked upon as conservative;
when that great event came, he soon
avowcd himself ready to avail himself of
every means in his power, to crush the re-
bcllion, even to the interference with
&" Southern institutions; :" if necessary In
this respect he was ahead Of the Presi-
dent himself 1t was thought that this
symptom of Radicalism had something to
do with his withdrawal from The cabinet.
1t was known, too, that the General was
one of the best political managers in the
State; his appointment was, therefore,
recognized asan omen of success, and all.
therefore, yielded a hearty acWioSence
without regard to former likes or dislikes.
For our own part, we have not doubt of
the reelection of Mr.. Lincoln, or of his
carrying this State. Still the fact that
these arc ccrtainties is no reason why we
should not manage the campaign with all
possible care, and avail ourselves of every
honorable means to swell the Union ranks
and increase the Loyal vote at the ap-
preaching election
1t has been insinuated and generally.
We think, believed that there has not been
entire harmony in the cabinet counscls.
The disagreement has mainly been charc-
ell upon the inordinatc ambition of the
Blairs, who would suffer no rivals to vie
with them upon the road to fame. twill
be remembered that Frank Blair was first.
introduced to public life by the Benton
Democrats of st. Louis, who were the
nduclus for the great radical party of
Missouri. Soon after the commencement
of the war, Fremont began to share with
him the confidence of the Loyalists of
that State. This the Blairs could mot en-
dure, and accordingly, united fight was
made upon that rising General, by both
the father and sons We are sorry to re-
fleet that Gen Cameron was blamed with
being party to that conspiracy, be this
as it may, the fight began on this rather
ambitious patriot-was followed up with
zeal seldom equalcd, until, in his wrath,
he exhibited trait of character before
nndeycloped-revenge, and in fit of dcs-
peration, directed his retaliatory efforts
against him, who, although not one of his
prosecutors, he thought was partly respon-
sible for hiS misfortune. And thus in an
evil moment, shore himself of the power
TO either serve his country or punish his
enemies Since then a similar difficulty
has, it is believed, existed between that
ambitious family, and Mr. Chase. 1t is
thought that the existence of this state of
things had led him TO believe that his
selfishness, as a cabinet officer, was great
ly impaired, and that its extent even JUS
titled his withdrawal frona the cabinet
Frank Blair having become unpaiatable
to the radicals of Missouri, whose princi-
pies he had always avowed, and whose
representative he was, threw himself into
!hc bosom of the conservatives-enco
4.