The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-07-04
SIMON CAMERON.

tSiMon Cameron was born in Lancaster
County, Pa, March = 1.m He was LETT An
orphan 1T an early age. hu. rel ciscd fair En-
glish educat on. and began To learn The print
er's trade ut the age of 2. He worked as
journeyman In Lancaster, Harr sburg and
Washington, and so improved his oppor;rnk
ties that In 1870 he was editing 4 newspaper
IN Doylestown. Pa, and n 1sss enc in
Harrisburg. As soon hc Ind accumulated
sufficient capital he became interested
in banking and railroad construct on in
the central part OF the State. lie was for o
time Adjutant-Gcneral Of Pennsylvania. He
was elected to the United States Senate in .si5
the term ending in ls49. During this per ol ho
acted with the Democrats on important party
questions, such rs the Missouri Compromise
bill. This was repealed in 1914 and Mr. Cam.
cron became identified with the Peoples par $,
which was subsequently merged into thc Re.
publican party. As its candidate he was re.
elected to the Senate for the full term OF six
years, beginning in 1857, Teriol which GOV.
cred the excit ng crisis OF secession. During
this time he was so earnest an advocate Of
peace that his loyalty was suspected At the
Republican convention which nominated
Abraham Lincoln Mr.. Cameron was strongly
supported for the Presidency, and again for
the v ce-Prcsidency. but lack OF ha, mony
in the Pennsylvania delegation prevented
hs nomination to the latter Of
Cabinet as Secretary Of War. He advocated
more aggressive war measures than NJ. l. n.
coin WAS prepared TO carry out. and when Gen.
eral Butler asked for instruct ons regard. ny
fugitive slaves directed him to employ the m
under such organizations and in such occupa-
tons as exigences may suggest or require"
Similar instruct Ans were even TO General
sherman and other Officers in the held. In his
original draft OF his annual report to Congress
in December. 1851. he boldly advocated
arming the fugitive slaves. but this was modi.
fed upon consultation with The other members
OF the Cabinet. Mr.. Cameron resigned the
Secreiaryship January II. 1867. IIs was ap.
pointed Minister To Russia. and his influence
there undoubtedly tended to secure in
y large measure the friendship Of that
nation dur ng the civil war. HIS oflic al
conduct in certain TRANSACTION was
ccnsured by the House Of Representa-
tives Aprl 3D. 1852, but Mr.. Lincoln
immed; ;atcly sent . message placing with the
heads of other departments an equal share in
the responsibility Mr. Cameron resigned as
Min ster to Russia November s lsi., and re.
manned at hone until lSt6. when he was elected
United States Senator, and appointed chairman
Of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the re-.
tirement OF Mr.. Sumner in 1872. He was sent 10
the Senate for the fourth time IN 1873, but re.
signed In favor OF son, j. Donald Cameron,
the present senior Senator from Pennsylvan u.
During the years OF Mr.. Cameron's active polit.
ical life he was powerful leader, practically
debating the rol cy Of tho Republican party IN
Pennsylvania. and welding strong influence
over its rolicy in the Nation ut larg,. .Lo-
ch ell his res tdenca at Harrisburg. Is large,
old-fashioned. but delightful place, aad has
time aud another the leadinu men ~ the State
and Nation.