The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-26
PRESIDENT LINCOLN's FIRST WAR
SECRETARY

The resignation of Secretary Alger has re-
rotary of war, Simon Cameron, resigned
under fire." but the circumstances In that
case were even more remarkable than those
of the present case The common opinion
that Mr.. Cameron was a failure as secre-
tary Of war is not quite correct, and after
he left the Cabinet Mr.. Lincoln generously
assumed the responsibility for some Of the
important acts for which he was criticised.
Mr. Cameron's resignation was due partly
to popular clamor and partly to disagree
ment between him and the President on
matters of public policy. His appointment
was purely a political one and was made
without any reference to his fitness for the
position in time of war. which was then
plainly foreshadowed.
After Mr.. Lincoln's election Pennsylvania
like some other States, claimed Cabinet
position. The secretary of the treasury was
preferred, because of his relation to tariff
and business interests in which Pennsyl-
vania was deeply interested. In the latter
part of December, 1860, the President-elect
sent request to Mr.. Cameron to visit him
at Springfield, Ill. AS result of this visit
the Pennsylvania statesman took with him
when he left the following letter:
Springfield. H.. Dec 81. 1s6O.
Hon. Simon Cameron:
My Dear Sir-I think fit to notify you
now, that by your permission 1 shall, at the
proper time, nominate you to the United
of the treasury, or secretary of war
which of the two l have not yet definitely
decided. Please answer at your earliest con-
venience. Your obedient servant.
A. LINCOLN.
1t is curious to note that, with the clouds
In doubt whether he would make Mr..
Cameron secretary OF the treasury or sec
rotary Of war. OF course, Mr.. Cameron
showed the foregoing letter to some of his
friends, and as soon as it became known
that he was to go into the Cabinet there
hrose a strong protest from the anti
Cameron faction and protective tariff Re-
publicans In Pennsylvania. But there must
have been opposition from another quarter,
for. on the Sd of January. 1861, three days
after the foregoing letter was written, Mr.
Lincoln wrote Mr.. Cameron as follows:
My Dear Sir-Since seeing you things have
developed which makes it Impossible for me
to take you into the Cabinet. You will say
this comes OF an interview with Mcclure,
and this is partly, but rot wholly, true. The
more potent matter Is wholly outside of
Pennsylvania, and yet L am not at liberty to
specify IL. Enough that IL appears to me
to be sufficient. And now / suggest that
you write me declining the appointment, In
known that IL was rendered you. Better do
this at once, before things so change that
you cannot honorably decline. and L be COM
nal lah n nj hn tom No
son living knows or has an intimation that
/ write this letter. Yours truly,
A. LINCOLN.
p. S.-Telegraph me instantly on receipt
OF this, saying, 'All right."-A /.
To this day it is not known what 1.-The
more potent matter wholly outside of Penn
sylvania' was. Mr.. Cameron did not tele-
graph "Au right Instead Of that he sent
confidential friend to Springfield, who ex-
planned the situation to Mr.. Lincoln, and
after a protracted conference Mr.. Lincoln
wrote Mr.. Cameron another letter, in which
he admitted that Mr.. Cameron had never
sought the appointment or interview with
him regarding 1t, and added: you have
not yet signified to me whether you
would accept the appointment, and with
much pain i now say TO you that you will
relieve me from great embarrassment by
allowing me to recall the offer" This let
ter was written Jan. 1S 1861. and dated back
TO Jan. 3. and Mr.. Lincoln asked that II
be substituted for the previous one Of the
latter date. which Mr.. Cameron was re-
quested to destroy. The latter stood upon
the first letter. rendering him the appoint
ment. and did not authorize it's recall
Cabinet making had its difficulties then as
row. but in the end Mr.. Cameron was ap.
pointed secretary Of war. He proved a
true and faithful friend OF Mr. Lincoln
| but his enemies pursued him. During the
| first year OF the war some difference Of
opinion sprang up between them regarding
| the treatment OF the slaves. and Mr.. Cam
| eron began TO express a wish TO retire from
| the Cabinet. MIR. Lincoln showed much tao
and patience. but finally. on the 18th o.
January. 1862 he wrote Mr.. Cameron: "A
| you have more than once expressed a de
sire for q change of position. i can nov
crafty you consistently with my view o.
/ the public interest ! therefore propos-
! nominating YOU to the Senate next honda,