The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-09
SIMON CAMERON.
What He Pretends TO Remember. and What
Others Remember of Him.

" mt nt = " ntHictuDeF. ana tnat
Correspondence Of the NJ Y. World.
WASHINGTON, May 5.-That distinguished and
virtuous patriot, Simon Cameron, who has done
SO much to elevate the political Morals of the
country, has what may be called prodigious
memory. That is to say, he remembers every
thing that is convenient, and forgets everything
that is embarrassing. The public appreciation of
Simon and the knowledge of those who have
been nearest in his intimacy have another word
than memory for this remarkable qualty-they
rather ascribe it to an inventive genius, which
has stood him many good turn.
Now, Simon thought that the time had come
for demonstrating that prophet might have
honor in his own country. So when Revels ap-
peared on the scene, and Sumner had discharged
his usual quantity of humanity" Cameron
thought there was an opening for Pennsylvania
to strike in. SO therefore he remembered con-
versation with jefferson Davis ten years age,
wherein he predicted that a "colored gemman'
would occupy his seat in the Senate, as a result
of secession.
Well, after a reasonable time, Mr.. Davis
quietly suggested that no such conversation had
ever taken place, and consequently the prophet
had not won his spurs. Thereupon, the WHY
Simon falls back upon his reconciled brother
Forney, whom he denounced not long ago in
the Senate, and who, considering the Forrest
letter, ought not to be man after his own
heart, and gets up in the Chronicle breakfast
for himself at ''Jeff's" house only two weeks"
before the separation, and there lays the scene
of his prophecy of the second edition Like some
swift witnesses, Simon has proved rather too
much for his memory. Mr.. Davis was prisoner
to a dark room for long time before leaving
Washington ito go South" Strange as it may
appear, in face of the existing prejudice he was
for compromise and settlement up to the last
moment, and in favor of the Crittenden resoiu
tions for basis. 1t was with great reluctance
he took the ground of the real revolutionary
leaders, though necessarily sympathizing with
their alleged grievances.
But, according to the assertions of the radical
press, secession had been long planned, and cul-
minated during the winter preceding Mr.. Lin
coins inauguration with Jefferson Davis as the
master spirit. Now, if this be true at all. in
what attitude does it place the virtuous, patri-
otic, and disinterested Simon Cameron, who,
according to the last phase of his wonderful
memory, was "breakfasting" with "Jeff Davis"
only two weeks" before the Rebellion began
This time he shifts the responsibility
on Mrs. Davis, who, of course, cannot speak.
But everybody knows she was much
more advanced on the issue than her husband
was, and that no such relations ever existed as
Simon suddenly remembers They were on terms
of kindness, as Mr. Davis says, in the Senate,
because Cameron always professed great admi-
ration for him. and was Profuse in his express
sions of regard down to the last. The plain
truth is, Simon has drawn upon his imagination
for his facts, which, though not very vivid, he
contrives to make usefal at times.
By the way, Cameron has never explained how
1t came to pass that he as Secretary of War,
accepted the resignation of Lee, Johnston Beau
regard and the whole catalogue of distinguished
''traitOrs" who made war against the national
life" for four years, and imposed upon the
country burthen of some four thousand mil
lions, of which, however Cameron and his
family and his friends have no reason to COM
plain. he was the prophet who foresaw all
about the Rebellion, who predicted the coming
of Reves, and who imported Belgian guns,
through the seIf-sacrifcing Sanford, more dan
gerous to Union men than to Rebels.
How did he, ''the Secretary" come to send
i VAl.v, and h<ot IS DAs1
to the South, thus furnishing generals for their
army, brains for the Rebellion, and enemies to
the republic? Why did he not arrest them on
the spot as TRAITORS" then Why not 'nip" the
revolution in the bud i? If there be one man in
this broad Union more responsible for the be-
| ginning, progress, and continuance of the Re-
bellion for the lives lost, the blood shed, and
| the treasure squandered, it is Simon Cameron
| of Pennsylvania, the first Secretary of War to
Mr. Lincoln. He Let the chiefs go, knO,oing
their purpose, and therefore he might in an
| ordinary criminal proceeding be indicted as an
| accessory before the fact. Without these chiefs
there would have been no real rebellion on any
extended scale. The South owes its leaders TO
Mr.. Cameron, and the North may allow him the
credit of its causes of mourning and debt.
Perhaps Mr.. Cameron's memory, singular as
it is, might be refreshed by some other facts.
He knows, for the records prove 1t, that a large
contract for supplying our troops Ia New Mexico
and on the frontier had been made by Floyd
before he came into Office, with Jaekman, Ma
graW and others. The Rebellion upset all these
arrangements, and Scott ordered the troops in
New Mexico q think) to come here forthwith.
That order, If carried out, would have ruined
the contractors. They came to Washington.
They sdto Cameron. "Don" was considered.
The order was revoked. The troops did not
come, and the battle of Bull Run l1GS lost, for if
these $500 regulars had been there nobody
doubts that the result would have been changed.
There is one individual who rode in fine car
riage, drawn by splendid horses, from New
York, who may remember how all that hap
pened, and if he does not there are others still
living who do.
since Revels is supposed to be power. But his
zeal is not altogether of yesterday. Let us be
just. When Mr.. Lincoln had decided to dismiss
Cameron from his Cabinet owing to the yir-
tuous manner in which contracts were made, he
| had also prepared a passage in his message
| recommending the employment of black troops.
| About that time the Secretary of War found his
| Office very hot. The Tribune and all the big
| guns poured in very big shot and quite too much
| grape. They cried out, like the Jews of old,
| "Crucify HIM" Congress was about coming
been already ordered it was evident that
| Simon must go to the wall. In this ex-
| tTemity he made flank movement on Lin
| coin; Incorporated the Presidents intended
recommendation about the black troops in bis
own report; let the report get out in advance OF
the message, by accident of course, aud thus
captured the citadel of Radicalism. Greeley
| had nothing but hosannahs to sing The start
ling Jobs; the Pennsylvania horse contracts:
speculation, and the whole catalogue of plunder,
such as the history of the world had never re.
corded before were all forgotten in the ioy over
! Cameron's conversion. Everything was for~ot,