Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-08-16
HE WAS A REMARKABLE MAN
Notable Work Accomplished by
Mr.. Cameron During His Long


tween the past and present of Ameri-
can politics.
Age brought neither decrepitude OF
body nor OF mind TO him. nor did it
chill the warmth of kindheartedness
that made him marked character
among public men during the many
years of his political career. The
world and Simon Cameron were always
friends. He had his contests and his
struggles in public life like any other
of the statesmen whose names have
run through the country's history, es-
pecially for the last half century, but
the quiet and happiness of his declin-
ing years were embittered by. no enmi-
ties that time has not me flowed and
years Modified
He was left an orphan at an early
age and he began life amid surround
ings that gave no promise of future
fortune. He lived TO be the possessor
of great wealth, for his property is
said to figure up more than ~, 0OO, 900,
and he retained, even unto the latest
OF his days, love for the good things
OF lie ana its sunshine that made the
blessings enjoyable with which his
well-merited wealth supplied him.
lie was a printers apprentice at 0
years of age and he laborod along as
most boys do even TO this day, who
have cast their lot in the Office of u
struggling, poverty-striclen country
weekly. He saved some money and at
II he was editor Of a little paper in
Doylestown, Pa, and a couple of years
afterward moved TO Harrisburg in
like capacity, where the field was
wider and the chances for becoming
known and recognized among the lead
ers OF political thought il Pennsyl-
vania were much greater than they
are there to-day.
Harrisburg was the center of politi-
cal thought and activity for the great
state. The combinations Of interests
that were TO control the commonwealth
and stretch out their influences over
the country at large We're in those DAYS
largely formed in that city, and the
young editor soon became recognized
as growing power among the new
men in politics.
The first session OF congress which
Cameron ever witnessed dealt with
tariff. In those days Calhoun was q
protectionist and young Cameron be-
came his warm admirer and wrote
home to his Pennsylvania friends urg-
ing them to favor the southern states
man. Shortly after this he returned
to Harrisburg and bought the paper
on which he had set his first type
Out of the democratic opposition to
the demand for protection" was born
a new party-the national republic.
At the head of this were Adams and
Clay. In 1924 young Cameron zeal
ously advocated the nomination of
Calhoun, but consented. Of course. to
support Gen. jackson when he became
the nominee. During the exciting
events of this memorable contest Cam
eron became state printer and took an
active part In the opposition TO the
coalition OF Adams and Clay. Being a
public contr ctor he came frequently
in contact with Clay while the other
was secretary OF state. Calhoun was
still his favorite statesman, however.
and the latter's scheme of public i'm
provement by the general government
was warmly advocated by the young
man. At length Calhoun abandoned
his position, not only on this point but
on the tariff also.
Cameron saw the bitter tariff fght
of 1928, when the democrats. uniting
with Jackson, wiped out the national
republicans and Mr.. Adams in revenge
for the ''odious bargain between the
latter and Clay. In the following year
Cameron was made Acknowledgement of
the state as recognition of his
promptness and success in quelling
mob near Harrisburg, and this brought
him into closer relations with public
men and public life.
What he saw of politics during those
troublous times determined him to Quit
public life and he took contract to
build the Lake Ponchartrain canal.
His men went by sea, but he took his
tools by steamer from Pittsburp. Be-
fore the job was half done he returned
to Washington at the request Of Jack
sons secretary of war. Gen Eaton.
Jackson had said that he didn't want
a second term, but he had changed his
mind He wanted the help of the best
men he could find and thought il best
20 keep Cameron near at hand. Jack
son got over the difficulty of having
refused second term by the adroit-
ness of his lieutenants. who had the
state legislatures request him to run
again. The scheme succeeded and an
overwhelming public enthusiasm for
Old Hickory was created. jackson
objected TO having Calhoun reHomi-
mated with him as vice-presi-
dent. Hitherto the nominee for presi- !
dent had nominated his assistant, but |
for the first time the matter was taken
in charge by a convention. In all OF |
this work Cameron was prominent
figure.
In 1882 Mr.. Cameron headed the
Pennsylvania delegation TO Baltimore |
at the first national convention ever |
held in this country. 1t marked a
great departure in the methods of DO |
litical parties and nominated Van |
Buren,. That same year the contest I
upon tariff questions was renewed /
with great bitterness. The question /
OF state sovereignty became danger
Gus one and received its serious re-
Dukes.
After the danger OF civil war had |
been averted for time by Claws com /