The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-06-29
HIS CAREER IN POLITICS.
One of the Earliest Repubiicans-His Offi-
cIaI Positions aud HonOrs.

Simon Cameron Was born in Lancaster
county, Pa, March s, 1888. His father
was Il tailor, who had more children than
customers. They were so poor that
simon was put to live out with one OF the
noighbors. There is something pathetic
IN the story of his early struggles. From
his mother he got the strength aud cour-
age that led him to success.
He was printers apprentice at nine
years of age, and he labored along as
most boys do even to this day who have
cast their lot in the office OF struggling
poverty stricken county weekly. He
saved some money, and at twenty one
OS20) he was editor of a lit lie paper in
Doylestown, Pa. He then wandered to
Washing ton, where he put into type con
gressional debates in 1921, "by the light
of a tallow CANDLE" as he himself says
He worked twelve hours day and got
$40 week pay. But he had a liking for
presidents even then. and though only
''jour" printer, while i'll Washington he
made the acquaintance OF President Mon
roe, and he knew personally every presi
dent since. IL would not be easy for
'.jour' printer to be on friendly terms
with president to-day.
L Ne U6ueTdl was d bomOCTdt, tuu bHe
party soon began to realize his usefulness
and to reward his good works. He held
a couple of state offices for some time,
but his real political career, in its broad
sense, commenced in 1915. James Buch
anan had been senator from Pennsylvania
for eleven years, when President Polk
named him as Secretary OF State in the
Cabinet formed in 1S45, and the Democ
| racy of Pennsylvania sent Simon Gamer
| on to the Senate as his successor, and he
served until 1S49. when the Wings, who
were then in power, gave James Cooper,
| of PotJsville, his place. Six years alter
wards the Democracy again Was in pos
session of the Legislature, and Mr.. Gam
eron again went to the Senate.
On the formation of the Republican
party, in 1856, Cameron joined it. Toe
mutterings OF secession had begun, and
with them came the disiutegration OF
parties and the sundering of political ties
which marked that troublous era. The
great cabinet, which Abraham Lincoln
formed, had Simon Cameron as Secretary
of war, for the former printer boy in the
little DoylesJown Office had been one of
the candidates named for the Presidency
that had been won by the Illinois rail-
splitter.
HIS RELATIONS WITH LINCOLN.
1t was on Cameron's own recommended
ton that Edwin NJ Stanton succeeded him
as Secretary of war i'll LincOln's Cabinet
Chase and Seward had conservative, not
to say timid, notions about carrying on
the war. Cameron was for bold and
thorough going measures. So there was
| a disagreement, and Cameron became
minister to Russia. But Lincoln could
not do without his planDer of campaigns.
| Cameron came home. Some OF those
whose names we revere as patriots now
Chase, Seward and Beu Wade among
| them-were trying to defeat Lincoln foi
the second term, Lincoln sadly and anx
iously talked with Cameron about it.
Cameron SAID; why, Mr.. President,
don't you remember what was done when
| Andrew Jackson was a candidate for the
second time? They went around and got
the Legislature OF every state III the Union
to sign paper asking hlm to be candi
| date for reelection. This created such
d sentiment in his favor that no other
man could stand against him. shall go
to Pennsylvania to night, aud it shall be
| the first state to start the ball.
1t was done, and in very short time
nearly every state in the Uulon bad doue
| likewise. Mr.. Cameron then went back
to Washington to see the President He
came in during reception at the Execu
| tive Mansion, when hundreds of persons
were passing in a line to shake hands
with the President, who saw his faithful
| organizer approaching. He Uincoln)
wore white cotton gloves. He waved one
gaunt white hand i'll the air, and cried
out: :'Cameron, three more states in TO-
day.
After his return from St. Petersburg,
in 1867 Simon Cameron was again elect
ed to the Senate, and there he remained
until 1877, when full OF years and of
| honors he laid aside the toga and went
back to his home at Harrisburg. His
son, James Donald Cameron, was elected
in his place.