USA > New Jersey > Burlington County > Burlington > History of Burlington and Mercer counties, New Jersey : with biographical sketches of many of their pioneers and prominent men > Part 70
USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > History of Burlington and Mercer counties, New Jersey : with biographical sketches of many of their pioneers and prominent men > Part 70
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In 1843 he was united in marriage with Hester A., daughter of Matthew Driver, Esq., of Caroline County, Md. In 1844 the editor of the Standard was con- fronted by a formidable opposition, upon which was conferred all the official patronage of the county, but it had the effect of developing additional energies, and eventually extending the influence and prosperity of his journal. His advocacy of political principles was enthusiastic ; the county which had previously been regarded as very doubtful became reliable, and for seven years followed the lead of the Standard. The editor was ever desirous of moderation, but he de- clined no challenge, and when necessary his blows were trenchant and effectual. Ile served on the Whig county committee for about eleven years, and whenever important or difficult work was to be aecom- plished he hesitated not to assume the burden and responsibility, let who might hold back. Many acts indicative of zeal and energy might be adduced, but lack of space forbids. When an alleged alliance be- tween the Democrats and managers of the leading railroad corporation of the State became apparent by the nomination of John R. Thomson for Governor,
the Standard was the first to sound a general alarm, and seconded by the Whig press, a furor of opposition was raised, which resulted not only in Mr. Thomson's defeat, but in placing every branch of the State gov-
Accepting the advice of personal and political friends, he permitted his name to be presented to the Whig county convention of 1848 in connection with the nomination to the surrogacy. He was unex- pectedly and strongly, but unsuccessfully, opposed in convention by the influential chairman of the Whig i county committee, who was himself the only otlier candidate for the nomination. This opposition was carried into the canvass, and greatly aided the Demo- cratic candidate. Thus in the usually closely con- tested county, and the total absence of party means and appliances, the threats and predictions of the chairman of the committee and his especial party allies were but too well founded. Notwithstanding these discouragements the candidate performed his entire duty. He was defeated by an exceedingly small majority, " with his back to the rock and his face to the foe." It was generally admitted that he suffered neither in influence or reputation. The vote cast for him was, with but two exceptions, the largest ever before cast for any candidate in the county.
In 1851 he retired from the editorial profession, but his interest and exertions to forward public measures were in no manner abated. About this time he made a tour of some six thousand miles through the West and Northwest, of which he published a graphic ac- count, replete with statistics and other valuable in- formation. It was at the period of organizing the Territorial government of Minnesota, under Governor Ramsey, when the Indians were aggressive, and evi- dences of civilization beyond St. Paul very few. At the First District Convention of 1852 he was urged to accept the nomination for Congress, and notwith- standing the fact that he was not nor could not be a candidate, Salem County cast for him all of her votes.
Still further impressed with the importance and feasibility of developing the resources of West Jersey by the construction of a railroad, he resumed his ad-
,37
CITY OF TRENTON.
voeacy of the measure by writing and publishing a Upon the meeting of the Legislature, Mr. Smith, at the request of the " Opposition" cauens, repaired to the " Native American" conference, and after many hours' exertion retired, accompanied by a member of Assembly from Cumberland and another from Salem, thus atfording the Opposition the requisite majority to elect Mr. Parry Speaker, and secure all the other ofti- cials of Assembly. This was the senator's first service in Trenton. He hesitated not to risk his status in the party as the only means of scouring for it a sub- stantial triumph. In the Senate he was assigned po- sitions on the educational committee and treasurer's accounts. As there was no comptroller, his duties in the treasury were arduous and responsible. It was measurably through his influence as a member of the educational committee that the bill to establish the State Normal School was reported and passed. At the ensuing session his services were equally efficient in saving the measure from repeal. Among his most important bills were those against bribery at elec- tions, and providing employment for the poor. He earnestly advocated the construction of the " Air- poration, but as necessary to the development of the | interior of the State. The measure had been sanc- tioned by the Assembly, and after much opposition obtained a footing in the Senate. When the time for final action arrived the Senate chamber was densely erowded by officials and attaches of the joint com- panies ; the Assembly was nearly deserted, and the Speaker upon invitation took his seat at the side of the president of the Senate. There were but three avowed friends of the measure among the senators, and it became necessary for the senator from Salem to advocate the bill. Senator Franklin was selected to reply, but after a few sentences he advaneed across the series of carefully prepared articles. These he fol- lowed by calling a publie meeting entirely upon his oorn responsibility. It required great effort to command success. He was secretary of the meeting, and also chairman of a committee charged with the duty of holding meetings in other counties of the district. He continued to publish articles in advocacy of the measure. At one of the subsequent meetings, before invitations had been issued for stock subscriptions, the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company, through its agents, assumed charge of the enterprise. Under their auspices followed not only the divergement of the route without regard to the interests of Salem,-a divergement which left that eity far in the rear of other towns,-but a elear and successful effort to use the influenee thus acquired for ulterior purposes. It was generally understood that such of the members of the subsequent Legislature who aided in forwarding those purposes by their votes would be rewarded by re-election. Accordingly, Senator Wallace was re- nominated by the Democrats of Salem County; the Temperance party, fanned into nnusual activity, Line Railroad," not in opposition to any other cor- nominated a wealthy merehant and practiced publie speaker, and the subject of this sketch (who had been vigorously proscribed by railroad influence, and for a long period withstood the assaults of six compliant newspapers), was unanimously nominated by the Whigs and National Americans on the first ballot. He had no aspirations for the position, but was willing to join issue against these formidable odds to test pub- lie sentiment. Besides the above-mentioned influ- ences, he had to contend with the opposition of Whig railroad adherents and the so-called " Native Amer- ieans," who ineffectnally opposed his nomination in convention. The Whig County Committee was also so greatly influenced by railroad interests that they , chamber, and taking the senator from Salem by the either rendered the organization inoperative or ag- hand, complimented him on the snecess of his effort. The vote stood nine for the bill, laeking bat two of a majority. In this contest the inexperienced senator from Salem was eombated for many weeks by not only the personal efforts of the railroad managers and at- torneys, but all other influences and appliances usual on such occasions. He was without any extrancous assistance, and not even acquainted with the corpora- tors named in the bill. gressive. The election followed, and victory won ! Against the Whig senatorial candidate broke the full foree of the tempest. The vote of the Democratie eity of Salem was particularly gratifying. His ma- jority there was twice as large as ever before cust for any candidate under any circumstances. The "History of the West Jersey Railroad" (Camden, 1868), of a semi- official character, while seemingly willing to ignore outside influences, states, " Mr. Charles P. Smith. ex- editor of the Standard, took a very active part in the incipient movements, acting as secretary of the first meeting," ete. Again, "the series of articles calling attention to the subject were written by Mr. Charles P. Smith." . . . "Mr. Smith also called the meeting on his own responsibility." Also, " Mr. Charles P. Smith, when senator, gave the matter (the Salem branch) his personal attention, and his name appears as one of the eorporators." [ After the lapse of many years, it has at length been found necessary to adopt very nearly the same route contemplated by the ori- ginal friends of the road.]
The senator from Salem deelined following the lead of special bank agents, having twenty-one applica- tions for recharters in charge, but discriminated in favor of localities where banks were unquestionably required. He was chairman of a committee to inves- tigate charges of bribery, and he introduced and se- cured the passage of a bill to equalize the price of publie printing with that paid throughout the State. Another of his measures was the enactment of the charter of the Salem Branch of the West Jersey Bouil- road, the only route then permitted by the controll- ing influences of the Legislature. He introduced resolutions and was chairman of a joint committee to
738
HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
ascertain and recommend measures for the better pro- tection of life and property on the coast, and opened correspondenee with the Governors of the sea-board States to seeure their influence with the general gov- ernment: He also collected an additional amount of information in regard to the requirements of the ser- vice from practical men residing near their eoast. This he embodied in a report, ineluding full eonsid- eration of the subject of ereeting a breakwater on Crow Shoal, near the mouth of Delaware Bay. The report was published in Washington and elsewhere, and attraeted the attention of government. Most of the suggestions were subsequently adopted.
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As somewhat indicative of influence and industry. it may be stated that during his senatorial term he secured the enactment of twenty-one laws, besides the adoption of various resolutions, all introduced by himself. He was also instrumental in seeuring the passage of measures introduced by others. Among the subjects in reference to which he addressed the Senate were the frequent exercise of the veto, bribery at elections, the Air-Line Railroad, the popular refer- enee temperance bill, the printing bill, a bill to protect traders against absconding shipmasters, and the in- discriminate chartering of banks. His remarks were generally published throughout the State.
In 1856 he was appointed a member of the National American State Committee. The same year, as a dele- gate to the " Fusion State Convention" and a member of the committee to select permanent officers, he nom- inated and, against determined opposition, succeeded in reporting Hon. William L. Dayton as president of the convention. Mr. Dayton's decidedly Republican speech on taking the ehair first turned the attention of the Republican party to him as an available can- didate for the Vice-Presidency, and he was soon afterwards nominated.
In the course of the legislative session of 1857, Governor Newell nominated Hon. William L. Dayton for the position of attorney-general, and the subject of this sketch as elerk of the Supreme Court,-the former as a Republican, and the latter as a Whig and National American. He removed to Trenton in 1857, where the oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Henry W. Green. This terminated Mr. Smith's senatorial duties. His rceord indicates that his consisteney and integrity of purpose were fully maintained; and it is searcely necessary to say that during the remarkable period he was not overawed by threats or swerved by favors.
In 1850, Mr. Smith was appointed a member of the "Opposition" State Executive Committee. His eol- leagues were Richard S. Field, Jacob W. Miller, John P. Jackson, George S. Green, Andrew K. Hay, Bar- ker Gummere, and Edward K. Rogers. He was sue- cessively reappointed (with the exception of one year when he declined) for ten years, most of the time fill- ing the position of chairman of the committee. The terni included the entire period of the war of the Re-
bellion, and involved a degree of labor and responsi- bility which few were willing to share.
In 1859 a meeting was called at New Brunswick by the "Native Americans" to select time and place for nominating an independent gubernatorial candi- date. This meant the defeat of Governor Olden and election of the Demoeratie candidate. Mr. Smith determined, against strong protestations, to attend and influence the action of this convention. He planned the movement, summoned his friends, re- paired to New Brunswick, and after a vigorous and exciting contest adjourned to Trenton, where they finally succeeded in securing the indorsement of Mr. Olden, the "Opposition" candidate. A portion of the " Americans" reassembled and nominated Peter I. Clark, who, in reply to a letter addressed to him by Mr. Smith, gave his unqualified adhesion to Mr. Olden. Governor Olden was elected, and became the war Governor of New Jersey. Defeat in preliminary measures would have brought Mr. Smith's political career to a close; and New Jersey might have proved anything but loyal in the great emergency which so soon followed. The State Gazette at that time did not hesitate to acknowledge the obligation the Opposition party of the State was under to Mr. Smith and his colleagues, who had achieved this important service.
Prior to the assembling of the Chicago Convention in 1860 there was a determined effort made in New Jersey to obtain delegates in favor of William H. Seward for the Presideney. Mr. Smith, deeming it impossible to attain suceess with this candidate, con- ceived the plan of influencing the State Convention in favor of Mr. Dayton, and thus holding the vote of the State until it could be made available in behaif of some other candidate. He submitted the plan to Mr. Thomas H. Dudley, who agreed to co-operate,; and it was successfully carried out. Had it not been for this ineipient movement in New Jersey, and its' heroic consummation by Mr. Dudley at Chicago, Mr.' Seward . would certainly have been nominated, and almost as certainly defeated. President Lincoln recognized New Jersey's services by nominating Mr. Dayton as Minister to France, and Mr. Dudley as consul at Liverpool. All the details of this matter have hitherto been published, and their eorreetness in every respeet is unimpeached.
Governor Newell's administration was confronted by a hostile Senate, who refused to confirm his sev- eral nominations for the position of chancellor, and for a year the State was without an official of that deseription. Mr. Smith, on his own responsibility, suggested the name of Chief Justice Green for the position, obtained his assent, and paved the way for confirmation through his intimaey with Mr. Herring, president of the Senate. At the ensuing session joint resolutions amendatory of the Constitution, providing for the abolition of the Court of Chancery, the elec- tion of the judiciary and State officials by the people, and possibly other radical changes, were not only
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739
CITY OF TRENTON.
sanctioned by the Senate, but reached the third read- ing in the Assembly. The defeat of this measure was brought about through Mr. Smith's taet and en- ergy after all others had abandoned opposition as futile. He also initiated the proceedings, and as- sisted very fully in carrying out the details, which re- sulted not only in the discomfiture of the "Native American" factionists of the First District, but in securing for Mr. Lincoln's administration a Union representative in Congress.
Mr. Smith's duty at the outbreak of the Rebellion was clearly defined. He was an ardent friend of the Union from the first, offering resolutious in the City Hall meetings as early as January, 1861, calling upon the government to vindicate its authority and adopt stringent measures to save the Union. He employed his entire personal and official influence in encour- aging the wavering, calling publie meetings, and ap- pealing to the patriotism of the people through the medium of the press. When Mr. Lincoln paused at Trenton on his way to be inaugurated in Washing- ton, Mr. Smith was selected to take charge of the official delegation from Philadelphia, and he other- wise fully participated in the ceremonies at the State capital.
On the 16th of April, 1861, Mr. Smith formally addressed a letter to Governor Olden, earnestly prof- fering his services to the State and nation for any duty whereby they could best be rendered available. The Governor accepted his offer, and promised em- ployment. It having transpired that Fort Dela- ware was liable to be captured by disloyalists, Mr. Smith was dispatched to Philadelphia to take such action in arousing the authorities as lie might deem necessary. Through his representations, based on information of a reliable nature transmitted to him, the fort was garrisoned by the Commonwealth Ar- tillery and the danger averted. He also procured tents for the unsheltered regiments through Gen. Patterson, and medical and surgical supplies through Gen. Wool. The following service was referred to by the adjutant-general in his annual report: Mr. Smith was hastily dispatched to New York, and under extraordinary circumstances procured nearly twenty-five thousand rounds of musket ball cartridges and one hundred thousand percussion-caps for the four regiments already en route for the seat of war, and placed it on board the flotilla at midnight during the prevalence of a severe storm. The ammunition, transportation, etc., were only obtained through most persistent efforts, and solely upon his personal responsi- bility, at a period when neither the New York authori- ties or railroad companies would extend credit to the State. He was frequently dispatched to New York, Philadelphia, and Washington on important missions, passing down the Potomac in front of the enemy's batteries, visiting our camps in Virginia, and, in brief, proceeding everywhere and doing everything required of him. He made a midnight trip to Wash- 48 .
ington while the enemy were crossing the Potomac above that city, and rumors of burning bridges and cavalry raids were rife along the route, and he disre- garded warnings to leave Washington while there was yet time until he had faithfully performed his duty. His visits to the War Department were emi- nently successful, and on one occasion, as informed, he saved for the State seventy-five thousand dollars through taet and energy in obtaining interviews with the Secretary of War at critical and seemingly im- possible periods. These journeys were generally dernier ressorts, and were always successful. Governor Olden, in expressing his acknowledgments, emphat- ically remarked, " Yon have performed for the State important service, and relieved my mind of great anxiety ;" and again he was characterized in the Executive Department as one who never failed. Among other services .he was instrumental, at the request of the Governor, in retaining Hexamer's famous battery in the service of the State after it had resolved, and was already striking tents, to take ser- vice in New York. A very brief delay, and the heroic record of this battery would not now form one of the most brilliant chapters in the military history of the State.
Mr. Smith was a member of an important com- mittee of the great Sanitary Fair in Philadelphia, a member of the Camden Auxiliary Sanitary Commit- tee, and, under appointment, organizer of the Trenton branch of the New Jersey Sanitary Commission. As indicative of Governor Olden's confidence, he in- trusted to him the nomination of officers for one of the best regiments raised in West Jersey, and he named all, save chaplain and surgeon, from colonel to quartermaster's sergeant. His recommendations for other regiments were invariably successful, and not a few of our gallant officers were indebted to him for substantial favors. In addition to his official and political duties, he accepted command of the Trenton Artillery, a well-disciplined corps raised at the State capital for any emergency. It was at that time the only organization of the kind in the State, and it is scarcely necessary to add that the members were not only highly patriotic, but in full accord with Gov- ernor Olden's administration. Assisted by Mr. Joshua Jones, he organized the Union League of Trenton, and his efforts to sustain it were unceasing. His name is the first on the roll of about one thousand members, and at times he filled nearly every official position. Mr. Smith was also vice-president of the State Loyal League, and frequently for a consider- able period performing executive duties of that in- portant association. It is unnecessary to refer more particularly to his services, suffice it to say he re- sponded to every call, and assumed every re-pons :- bility required. They were performed unostenta- tiously, without the stimulus of promotion, public recognition, or reward of any kind, save the conscious- ness of patriotic duty ; and it may properly be stated
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740
HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
that all the expenses incurred were discharged from his private means, the State not even having been asked or expected to furnish traveling commutation. At the darkest period of the war, when the most con- fideut doubted a favorable result, prompted alone by patriotic motives, he invested all of his available means in government funds.
In 1862, Governor Olden renominated Mr. Smith, as a Union man, to the position of clerk of the Supreme Court, assuring him he had entertained no other pur- pose from the first.
The close of the Rebellion found the Union party in greatly improved condition, not only on account of the return of the soldiers, but the éclat ever at- tendant upon success. Mr. Smith originated the plan, and carried it fully into effect, of collecting the names and address of eight thousand doubtful voters, to each of whom he personally addressed, through the mail, most patriotic appeals. He also effected a perfect organization of the party by the selection of an ap- proved committee in every ward and township of the State. At the ensuing gubernatorial convention Mar- cus L. Ward was nominated against great opposition. During the canvass the chairman of the State Com- mittee, in the performance of undoubted duty, found Among other duties discharged by him was that of taking charge of and entertaining Secretary of State Seward, Private Secretary Lincoln, and others of the government committee on the occasion of the recep- tion of Minister Dayton's remains on their arrival from Europe. it necessary to assume a position which, however prejudicial it may have been to his personal interests, unquestionably insured Mr. Ward's election and saved the party, whereupon those who had failed to co- operate with him demanded his supersedure as clerk of the Supreme Court. The gage thus cast down by Mr. Smith was appointed and took charge of the what had become a powerful official oligarchy, was , ceremonies incident to entertaining and escorting the taken up without a moment's hesitation. Whether it was the unusual spectacle of an individual contend- ing single-handed against the combined official in- fluence of the State, or from whatever cause, it soon transpired that the mass of the Union party and the legal profession, whom he had so long served, were ummistakably in accord with him. In due time his testimonials were forwarded to Governor Ward. They embraced (with but three exception>) the unani- mons recommendation by counties of the Bar of the State, irrespective of party affiliation, the unanimous recommendation of the Union editors of the State, the cordial recommendation of the bankers, manu- facturers, merchants, and citizens of Trenton; also of the Senators and Members of Assembly of the First Congressional District and the county of Mer- cer, the most prominent Union men and officials of various counties, and of every township of Salem County en masse ; the unanimous recommendations of the Justices of the Supreme Court and Judges of the Court of Errors, of the State and City Union Leagues, the Union State Executive Committees, etc. Included delegation of loyal Southerners through New Jersey ; and in 1865 he was chairman of two important com- mittees to receive and entertain the returning soldiers at a grand banquet in Trenton. He also, through the medium of the press, and a public meeting, en- tirely on his own responsibility, broke the Republican legislative caucus, and prevented the annexation of Mercer County to a hopeless Democratic congres- sional district. To this entirely unselfish act the Republicans are indebted for subsequent success in the Second District. Immediately after the disas- trous election of November, 1867, Mr. Smith assumed the responsibility (although not that year a member of the committee) of inaugurating a movement in favor of the nomination of Gen. Grant for the Presi- dency. The object was to re-establish confidence in the thoroughly demoralized party. The movement met with considerable opposition, and was denounced by correspondents of the New York press. Mr. Smith struggled against all obstacles, performed per- sonally nearly all of the details of duty, and achieved great success. The Trenton Opera-House was crowded in the testimonials were those of the Chief Justice, : by an audience of fifteen hundred, and the programme Chancellor, and two ex-Chancellors, six ex-Governors and three prospective Governors, ex-United States Senators, and, in brief, every possible influence save that which had combined to effect his supersedurc.
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