River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-07-04
granddaughter

lSimon Cameron was born in Lancaster
/ County, Pa, March s, 1899 He was left an
/ orphan at an early age, but received fair En-
/ glish education, and began TO learn the print
I ers trade at the age of g. He worked as a
/ iourneyman in Lancaster, Harrisburg and
/ Washington, and so improved his opportuni-
/ ties that In 1920 he was editing newspaper
/ in Doylestown, Pa, and in 1922 one in
Harrisburg. AS soon as he had accumulated
sufficient capital he became interested
in banking and railroad construction in
the central part OF the State. He was for a
I time Acknowledgement of Pennsylvania. He
was elected to the United States Senate in 1915
the term ending in 1919. During this period he
acted with the Democrats on important party
questions, lsuch as the Missouri Compromise
bill This was repealed in 1854 and Mr.. Cam
eron became identified with the Peoples party,
which was subsequently merged into the Re-
| publican party. AS its candidate he was re-
elected TO the Senate for the full term of six
years, beginning in 1857, a period which COW
cred the exciting 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 Vice-Presidency, but lack OF harmony
in the Pennsylvania delegation prevented
his nomination to the latter Of
flee. Mr.. Lincoln at once called him 70 the
Cabinet as Secretary Of War. He advocated
more aggressive war measures than Mr. LIN
coin was prepared TO carry out, and when GEN
eral Butler asked for instructions regarding
fugitive slaves directed him to employ them
under such organizations and in such Occupa-
tions as exigencies may suggest or require"
Similar instructions were given TO General
Sherman and other officers in the field. In his
original draft of his annual report TO Congress
in December, 1861, he boldly advocated
arming the fugitive slaves, but this was modi-
fed upon consultation with the other members
OF the Cabinet Mi. Cameron resigned the
Secretaryship January II, 1862. He was APP
pointed Minister to Russia, and his influence
there undoubtedly tended TO secure in
large measure the friendship of that
nation during the civil war. His official
conduct in certain transaction was
censured by the House of Representa-
tives April 30, 1852 but Mr.. Lincoln
Immediately sent message placing with the
heads of other departments an equal share in
the responsibility. Mr.. Cameron resigned as
Minister 10 Russia November s, 1862 and re-
manned at home until 1866, 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 to
the Senate for the fourth time in 1873 but re-
signed In favor OF his son, J. Donald Cameron,
the present senior Senator from Pennsylvaui a.
During the years OF Mr.. Cameron's active polit-
cal life he was a powerful leader practically
debating the policy of the Republican party IN
Pennsylvania, and welding strong influence
over its policy in the Nation at large. 'Lo-
chiel,' his residence at Harrisburg, is a large,
old-fashioned but delightful place, and has
welcomed within its hosptable walls at one
time and another the leading men of the State
and Nation.l