The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-10-12
The Two Camerons.



1t is on the tongue of thousands of
Republicans throughout the State that
if Gen. Simon Cameron still held the
helm, instead Of Don, the Republican
party would not be drifting among the
breakers. There is q feeling that,
however much in sympathy with the
purposes which have prompted his
son, he would not have recklessly
driven the good old ship towards the
rocks. Or if he had found that the
course he was steering was plunging it
into danger, he would have trimmed
his sails, taken a new tack and cleared
the shoals.
The elder Cameron was by no means
model of elevated political principle
or management. His methods were
certainly not free from reproach. He
was pioneer in the new dominion of
personal rule and became patriarch
in the old dispensation of the machine.
But, with all his faults, he was at least
a successful political leader. He es-
tablished the Cameron dynasty and
perpetuated it for generation with
well-nigh unbroken power; and he
succeeded in doing so because he held
his party together. He set up n throne,
but he did not undertake to set it upon
bayouets. With deep insight he united
extraordinary tact, Judgment and dex-
terity. He knew when to he firm and
when to yield. He was quick to see
the drift of events and to put himself
not break an opposing force he would
himself bend before it. If circum-
STAGES were pressing any man for
ware, he was shrewd enough to make
him his own. He welded u sceptre of
skill and sagacity, rather than club
of force. And in his personal relations
he bore himself with such considera
ton, kindliness and generosity that he
is still cherished with almost affection
ate regard by hosts of friends through
out the State.
1t is the misfortune of Mr.. Don
Cameron that he has not been wise
enough to practice such arts Or gra-
cious enough to inspire such a senti-
meDt. He is not deficient in ability;
he possesses Il large measure Of eXecu-
tive capacity; he has intense individ-
uality and force; he is open, generally
frank, often sincere, always blunt, di-
rect and positive; in imperious will
and autocratic determination lie far
overtops his father; but he has no
breadth of view, no tact in manage
ment, no appreciation of the moral
forces of politics, no conception of the
real springs of public sentiment and of
its irresistible power. His methods
are those of sheer force; his weapons
are those of patronage and profit. In
stead of conciliating he undertakes to
crush all opposition. Instead of lead
ing by the right of superior ability, he
assumes to boss by the exercise of arbi
trary power. Where the elder Cam
cron offered the velvet glove, the
younger Cameron smites with the iron
hand. Where the one was crafty
and winning, the other is dogmatic
and unyielding, Where the one
sometimes stopped to conquer, the
other strides on to his own ruin.
An eminent public man and keen
observer who has long studied the pol
tioc of tliu Gtotn Dnco oo,, No vol &;
mon and Don Cameron to the lead
horse and the driver of the old Cones
toga teams. The elder Cameron only
assumed to be the lead-horse, and if he
stumbled or was thrown down he was
still hitched up in the lead and could
pick himself up and so on with the
procession. The younger Cameron on
the other hand, is not content to be
the lead-horse, but insists upon taking
the reins and driving; and if in going
over ragged and dangerous place lie
happens to be thrown off the heavy es.
tablishment stands but he suffers dis
aster. The comparison is just in its
description Of their different methods,
their different relations to the party
and the different consequences. Had
Senator Cameron been satisfied TO be
the lead-hOrse and had he shown him,
self equal to the place, the party would
have been quite content, and he could
have moved on with it. But when he
assumes to take the rcins altogether
into his own hands and drive the
party by his own sheer will, he at
tempts task beyond his powers.
No man can continue to drive the
great Republican organization except
upon one condition-that he shall drive
it with full success. Mr.. Cameron has
not proved himself competent driver
or the contrary, he has failed to keer
it in hand and has split the party, and
he must be unloaded.