The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-16


presidential candidate and il got considerable
momentum by the time the convention met.
When the conflict over Seward came Cameron's
friends named Mr.. Lincoln, and he was nomi-
mated
'.After the election continued Mr. Cameron,
II made trip West at Mr.. Iincoln's request.
He had, by letter, rendered me the position of
either Secretary of War or Secretory or the
Treasury, but. when went to see him, he said
that ne had concluded to make Mr.. Seward Sec
give place to Mr. Chase. Salmon
p. Chase said he is very ambitious
man.. Very well, said l. then the War De-
parfment Is the place for him. We are going to
have an armed conflict over your election, and
the place for an ambitious man is in the War
Department. There he will have lots of room
to make reputation These thoughts OF mine
that we were to have war disturbed Mr. Lincoln
very much, and he seemed to think | Was en-
tirely too certain about it. Finally, when he
came to make up his Cabinet, doubtless remem-
bering what had said about the War Depart
ment, he appointed me Secretary OF War.
There has been great deal of misstatement as
to Dir. Stanton's appointment as my successor.
Edwin M. Stanton had been my attorney from
the time had gone into the War Department
until he took my place. / had hardly made
move in which the legality of any question could
arise. | had taken his advice. believed in
start, while MIR. Seward believed in
dallying and compromising, and Mr..
Chase was constantly aeitated about
the expenditure of money; therefore 1t was that
/ was careful to have the advice of an able law
YER When the question Of changing the
department for the Russian mission came up
Mr.. Lincoln said to me: Who shall appoint in
your placeP My prompt response was Edwin
NJ Stanton But said he, i had thought of
giving it to Holt 'Mr. Lincoln, said I, if am
to retire in the present situation of affairs it
seems but proper that friend of mine, or at
least man not unfriendly to me, should be ap-
pointed in my place If you give Mr.. Stanton
the position you will not only accomplish this
get an excellent officer Worry WE'LL said MIR.
Lincoln, you go and see him, and if he will ac-
cept he shall have the place. left the White
House and started to see him, passing through
the Treasury Department on my way. AS
passed Mr.. Chase's Office 1 stepped in and told
aud myself. He said: Lets sand for
Stanton; bring him here and talk it
over Very we'll. said /. and messenger was
at once sent. He came Immediately, and told
him of the conference between the President and
myself. he agreed to accept We walked to
the White House, and the matter was settled.
One of the troubles in the Cabinet which brought
about this change was that had recommended
in my annual report in the fall Of 1861, that the
negroes should be enlisted AS soldiers after they
left their masters. This advanced step was
garded by most of the Cabinet with alarm. DIR.
Lincoln thought it would brighten the border
States out of the Union, and Mr. Seward and
Mr.. Chase thought 1t would never do at ALL
To follow the entire thread of this singular
mans life would make very long story. He
went to Russia. and two years afterward. when
Chase. Seward, Ben Wade and others began te
move for the defeat of Mr.. Lincoln for second
term, he called the wisest politician of this coun-
try home from Russia to look after his interests.
nd IN hic arrivai ho wa Mt inn
mediately to the White House, and Mr. Lincoln
told him his hopes and fears. Mr.. Cameron
said "Why, Mr.. President, don't you remem-
her what was done when Andrew jackson was q
candidate for the second time2 He had said he
would not accept but term but when he
wanted a second they went around and got the
Legislature of every State in the Union to sign
a paper asking him TO be q candidate for re-
election. This created such a sentiment in his
favor that no other man could stand against him.
I shall go to Pennsylvania tonight, and it shall
be the first State to start the ball. Mr. Cam
eron went home. The Legislature did formu-
late petition asking him to be candidate,
and after its action nearly every State
soon after this interesting incident
Mr.. Cameron went to Washington
to see the President and found
him holding reception. A perfect
food Of people were passing along to shake hands
with him. AS he saw the man approaching, of
whom am writing he raised his long, bony
hand, clad in white cotton glove and shouted:
Cameron, three more States il today q broad
beam of satisfaction playing over his counte
nance From that time on the relations be-
tween the two men were very intimate.
Mr.. Cameron was sixty-six years old. His
battles have been many since that day. He was
e-elected to the United States Senate in 1867,
and served until 1876, in all, eighteen years He
has lived to see his oldest boy not only United
States Senator. but Secretary of War. and to be
even richer in money than himself Even after
he left the Senate, his political power grew. In
the campaign of 1880, when the fate of the Re-
publican party hung in the balance, he set the
machinery in motion that made General
Garfield President of the United States.
Again only "a year ago. when
his SON was a candidate for reelection the wise
once said to me: II had the advantage of start
ing poor in life. while Don started rich" This
illustrates the difference between the two men.
The father has been a leader of men because of
his kindly qualities and happy turn Of disposi-
tion man within his presence is strong
individual, indeed, II he is not captivated by bis
winning manner and pleasant speech. He is
taking his first steps In his eighty eighth year
with steady hand and head Within gunshot of
railroad he built. He was at one time president
of all four. The letters and kilograms of con-
graduation that poured in on his birthday-most
of them-referred to his wonderful experience
in building the public improvements of the
State How many such lives have we ever
known? While 1t is reality 1t is a romance.
Prize Fight at Eel Paso.
Ell PAso, Tex, March l5-About one thou
sand sportsmen and others gathered at the pa
vilion., on Saturday night, to witness prize