Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-22
GENERAL CAMERON pARAI YzED

tENEHAb IL CA vi bh CN fiudL DbD
The veteran politician, General Simon
Cameron, OF Pennsylvania, has had
stroke OF paralysis, which may result in
his death at any moment. Last March
Mr.. Cameron celebrated his ninetieth
birthday, at which time he was mentally
and physically remarkably vigorous for
such an age. About a year ago he vis-
tied Europe and remained away several
months, the trip being wholly for
pleasure. On his return he was so strong
and hearty, having experienced not the
slightest deterioration of his wonderful
vitality from the journey, that 1t
seemed he might live score OF
years longer. Until stricken with pa
ralysis there was no public knowl-
edge that his health was in the least
degree impaired.
For more than n generation, or from
1S45, when he first entered the United
States senate, down to 1877, whom he re-
signed his seat in that body to be sue
ceeded by his son, Simon Cameron was
conspicuous figure and potential
force in the politics of his state and OF
the nation. He entered on his political
career as democrat, having for num-
Der Of years served the democracy as
the editor OF the leading democratic
paper of Pennsylvania, and he remained
with that party until 1856, when
he became affiliated with the peoples
party IN Pennsylvania, subsequently
merged in the republican party. This
new political affiliation enlisted all his
energy and zeal, and as he brought to
it n very complete political equipment
obtained in tho service of the party he
was thenceforth to do battle against, no
at once attained to prominence and
usefulness in the councils of the new
political organization He undoubtedly
| did more than any other man to build
| up the republican party in Pennsyl-
vania, and he is entitled to no small
part of the credit for the growth of the
| party in all the northern states. His
| earnestness and enthusiasm in the cause
| stimulated others to emulate his eX-
ample, while his extraordinary skill
| in political organization caused his
council to be widely sought. OF all
his methods and practices as a political
leader and manager impartial history
will not approve. He was not always
absolutely scrupulous respecting the
means to an end. Neither was he
wholly unselfish in his political labors.
| But among his contemporaries there
was no one more sagacious and cour-
| ageous in political management. and he
was unfalteringly loyal to the republi-
can party.
Mr.. Cameron was returned to tho
United States senate in 1857, and was a
member OF that body when his name
was presented to the national republi-
can convention of 1860 as q candidate
for the presidency, he having the sup
port of the delegations of several states.
In the trying period which followed the
election of Lincoln Mr.. Cameron showed
all the sterling qualities of the patriotic
citizen, and he became member of the
first republican cabinet as secretary of
war. He remained in this position less
than year, and upon his retirement
received the appointment of minister to
Russia, a position which he held only a
few months. He was out of public life,
though continuing active in politics,
| IOr aDOub tOur years, Wnen ne WasSogaln
sent to the senate, and continued
there until his voluntary retire
ment in 1877. Since then he
has taken no active part in
politics, having in retirement enjoyed
the abundant fruits of his many years
of successful financial and political en-
terprises, for Mr.. Cameron had busi-
ness ability no less marked than that
which gave him a commanding place in
the politics of the country.
A careful study of the details of the
political career of any man, extending
over period of more than thirty years,
must disclose some things that could
not be commended. Unquestionably
that of Simon Cameron had its share of
blameworthy faults wilfully committed
But none will deny that he did his
country valuable service, and as one of
the earliest members of the republican
party, and one of the most vigorous pro-
moters of the cause it champion ed i,
Simon Cameron merits an honorable
place among American political leaders.