The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-16
THE HON. SIMON CAMERON.
Pennsylvania Ex-senator Reviews the
Long and Busy Life He Has Led.
Bright and Talkative on His Eighty-Seventh
Bisthday-POIitics in Early Days-How
He Made Senators and Presidents.

e
In an old stone house, hard by the banks Of
the Susquehanna river, which flows by this
place, is an old man full of years and honors. |
called to see him on his eghty-seventh birthday.
It was last Tuesday, the 9th of March. Tele-
grams of congratulations, hundreds of letters.
and many friends arrived before me by way of
celebrating the anniversary. The veteran sat in
his library, with its two thousand or more vol
umes and cast his minds eye back over career
that has been busy and useful beyond that of al
most any other man in the country.
Born less than twenty-five miles from the spot
where he now lives, reared in poverty used to
hardships that the men of this day can scarcely
comprehend, he has lived to WELD political
power greater than that of any single man in the
Nation. His father was country tailor, who
could hardly get bread and meat for his family,
and when Simon Cameron was ten years old the
resolute, courageous and fair mother was obliged
to give him TO the care of neighbors, that he
might be reared to something useful. He fell
into the hands Of doctor at Sunbury, on the
banks of the Susquehanna. almost eighty years
ago, and began learning the trade Of printer
when printing was in its infancy. In 1921 he
worked as journeyman on the congressional
debates in Washington. setting type by the
for twelve hours work. He there became &C
quainted with James Monroe, who was Presi-
dent. and has known every executive from that
day to this. and helped to make great ,cany of
them.
.'Yes my life has been busy but pleasant
one." said the old General to me after mutual
congratulations. He is still hardy, healthy, and
in love with life and the world fond of compan-
IONS ready to discuss almost any subject or
speak Of any current events that are now pass
inn ar ha in
1921. believe. that wrote the letter in favor
Of John C. Calhoun as President of the United
States. edited the Doylestown Democrat that
fall, and went from there to Washington to work
at my trade. In 1923 was elected Public Printer
of Pennsylvania. and in 1924 l went with the
Governor to Philadelphia to receive General
Lafayette, on his return to this country. How
we'll do remember the election OF j. O. Adams
to the presidency in 1924 had voted for An
drew jackson at this, the first election at which
had a vote. In 1926 was appointed Adjutaut-
general of this State, and almost imme-
diately after that turned my attention
to the practical affairs Of life. In 1928
the State Of Louisiana had chartered
a bank, with provision that 1t should construct
q canal from Lake Ponchartrain into New Or
leans I took the contract to build that canal
and before we had railroads or other means of
rapid communication in the United States l took
1900 men, and went down the river from Pitts
burg to do the work. While was in the midst
of this contract, out of which would have made
a great deal of money, and did make my start in
life, received letter from Major Eaton, then
General Jacksons Secretary OF War. asking me
to come home and aid in the organization of the
first national convention ever held in this coun-
try. Heretofore the States had expressed their
preferences for presidential candidates, and the
members Of Congress cast the ballot in Wash
ington for the Nomination; but jackson, with
the intent to beat Calhoun for the vice presi-
dency. desired a national convention Of dele
gates chosen for the purpose from all the States,
and he asked me TO come home and look after
Pennsylvania. returned and held meeting
here IN Harrisburg secured the delegates for
Van Buren,, and went to Baltimore. where the
convention was to be held
II was selected chairman OF that convention,
but declined in favor OF a man from another
State This gathering was a very singular one.
Many men who grew to prominence soon after
ward were in it, but it was very small affair by
the side of like gatherings of the present day.
There were only four States in the Union except
the original thirteen when l first began public
life More than half of them have been added to
our nationality since l hrst cast my vote for
Andrew jackson.
II concluded not to return to New Orleans,
but sold my interest in the contract for large
sum and went into the banking business at Mid
dletown. About this time Had queer ex-
perience. Mr.. Ingham, who first employed me
to edit his paper, the Doylestown Democrat, in
1921, had been made Secretary of the Treasury
in Jacksen's Cabinet He was very bright
and very able man, but his wife took sides
against Mrs Eaton. whose husband Gen
War, and "Old Hickory" forced him
to resign, ms he did several others of his Cabi-
net, because they were the movers in the move.
ment to exclude Mrs. Eaton from the social
circles OF Washington because she was a tavern
keepers daughter. That year I went as one of
the visitors to West Point. remember General
Scott was also a visitor My impressions of the
military school on the Hudson were very singu-
lar. 1t was about the first time in my life had
witnessed the practical workings of a we'll
organized school, and took great interest in it,
afterward took trip to New England to look
into the M .nufacture of paper. We had to drive
over from Albany by stage. The civilization of
New England interested me very much for it
was far ahead of anything we had in our own
country. When | returned devoted myself to
making money, and if had continued my bust
ness instead OF going into politics would have
been a very wealthy man.
Il had natural aptitude for money making,
but had made James Buchanan Senator of the
United States. and when he went into Folks
Cabinet had a desire for relief from business
cares and thought would succeed him. I met
Mr.. Buchanan in Washington just before Polk
was inaugurated and he said to me: Cameron,
the President has offered me the position of Sec
rotary of State, what do you think about itF 1t
is unnecessary to ask me- replied. I know
you have already decided to accept it, But
says Buchanan. who will succeed me in the
Senatep IT am not mistaken. will was my
reply. From that time on Buchanan was never
my friend. He evidently intended to name the
Senator himself vino should succeed him. I
took my seat in the Senate in 1916, and was
just thinking that am the only Senator living
who was in that body. Mr.. Atchison, of Mis-
souri,, who died only short time ago, and myself
were the only survivors for number of years.
In that body there were Calhoun, Clay, Webster,
Benton, and other great men.
My relations with Mr. Polk were very Pc
culiar. He undertook to ignore me in the distri-
button of patronage doubtless on account of Mr.
Buchanans representations, but as fast as he
sent names to the Senate, they were rejected,
one after another. Finally he asked Mr.. Foster,
member of Congress from our State, if he
would not bring me up to see him. / accepted
Dir. Fosters invitation, and went to the White
House. When got there Mr.. Polk said, in a
very ostentatious ways understand, sir, that
infan horr