The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-07-03

pendent on his own resources alone,
aspires to prominence. Mr.. Cameron
was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl-
vania, in 1899. The poverty of his
family prevented him from attending
school, but at an early age he became
apprenticed in a printing-oflice. Later
he became editor and owner of the
Harrisburg Republican. His work on
that paper undoubtedly led him into
politics, for it gave him opportunity to
express himself on the issues that were
then prominent before the country. In
1915 he was elected to the United
States senate for four years, to fill the
vacancy caused by the resignation of
Mr.. Buchanan. In 1860 he was can
didate for the presidency in the con-
vention which nominated Lincoln.
President Lincoln made him secretary
of war. In this Office he displayed
great energy and foresight in his
preparations for fighting the rebellion
of the Southern States, precipitated by
the election of Mr.. Lincoln. He fore
saw that emancipation must be the
outcome of the rebellion, and his plans
for the conduct of the war at that early
period contemplated the confscation of
slave property and the employment of
the negroes in military operations, and
directly as soldiers. After holding the
office of war secretary for about year,
he made way, by his resignation, for
that incarnation of energy and resolu-
ton, the indomitabe and imperious
Stanton. President Lincoln appointed
him minister to Russia, and by his
astuteness and native American shrewd-
ness he conciliated the cordial good
will of that power, rendering his coun-
try a service that would have been a
high honor to man trained in diplo-
macy. The car had recently decreed
the emancipation of the serfs. Minis
ter Cameron, in his presentation speech,
adroitly applauded the act, and declared
that America would speedily follow the
example of Russia and decree the
emancipation of the slaves-a declara
ton that was somewhat "previous "
and somewhat startling to his repub-
lican compeers on this side the waters
but events justified the prediction and
the sagacity of this shrewd practical
man of affairs. On his return to his
country he served two successive terms
in the United States senate, but his
most effective service to the country
was in the Office of secretary of wal
and as minister to Russia. His was
the work of preparing for the great
struggle with organized and defiant
rebellion. He was quick to perceive
the needs of the hour and bold to act
up to his convictions. His power as g
political leader has perhaps never beer
equaled by any other man of his day
His success was due not to education
but to his ability to foresee possible
events and to his preparations TO NEE
them when they came. He was one o
class of men who seemed to hav,
been created for the times in which
their active career was run. The,
were born to originate policies and t,
lead and direct in carrying them out a
times when decision and resolution al
most dictatorial in their character wer
demanded in leader. These mel
and some of their methods have bee
the subjects of unmeasured criticism
but in the perilous times of the civ
war and the troublous political era O
reconstructing the disordered parts c
the Union, men and methods had thei
appointed place. Spirits less bolC
methods less arrogant, gave rebellio
its opportunity originally and its tr
: umphs, military and political, when tn
, battle was joined and the period of +,
adjustment came. The times demande
men like Cameron, Stanton, Chandlt
and Conkling. They were bold spirit
9 kingly in their powers and their e,
actions, but they were patriotic. LoN
of country inspired them. Below IL
dross of Inherent human selfishne
which obstructs the vision of blea
eyed criticism was the pure gold, al
e their names will shine as bright, il
g perishable stars in the diadem of Il
, republic " when the epitaphs of the
V critics have been forgotten.
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