USA > New Jersey > Salem County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 11
USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 11
USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 11
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In 1851 he retired from the editorial profession, but his interest and exertions to forward publie 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.
He continued to publish articles in advocacy of th- measure. At one of the subsequent meetings, hefor .. invitations had been issued for stock subscriptions. the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company, through its agents, assimmed 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 clear and successful effort to ilsa the influence thus acquired for ulterior purposes. It was generally understood that such of the member- 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 unusual activity, nominated a wealthy merchant and practiced public speaker, and the subject of this -ketch (who had been vigorously proseribed 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-
railroad adherents and the so-called "Native Amer- icans," who ineffectually opposed his nomination in convention. The Whig County Committee was also so greatly influenced by railroad interests that they either rendered the organization inoperative or ag- gressive. The election followed, and victory won ! Against the Whig senatorial candidate broke the full force of the tempest. The vote of the Democratic city of Salem was particularly gratifying. His ma- jority there was twice as large as ever before cast 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," etc. 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 fthe Salem branch) his personal attention, and his name appears as one of the corporators." [After the lapse of many years it has at length been found necessary to adopt very nearly the same route contemplated by the orig- inal friends of the road.]
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- vocacy of the measure by writing and publishing a Upon the meeting of the Legislature, Mr. Smith, at the request of the "Opposition" caucus, 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 affording the Opposition the requisite majority to series of carefully prepared articles. These he fol- lowed by calling a public meeting entirely upon his own responsibility. It required great effort to command success. He was secretary of the meeting, and al-o chairman of a committee charged with the duty of holding meetings in other counties of the district. I elect Mr. Parry Speaker, and secure all the other ofii-
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cials of Assembly. This was the senator's first service This he embodied in a report, including full consid- eration of the subject of erecting a breakwater on Crow Shoal, near the mouth of Delaware Bay. The report was published in Washington and elsewhere, and attracted the attention of government. Most of accounts. As there was no comptroller, his duties in ; the suggestions were subsequently adopted. in Trenton. IFe hesitated not to risk his status in the party as the only means of securing for it a sub- stantial triumph. In the Senate he was assigned po- sitions on the educational committee and treasurer's the treasury were arduous and responsible. It was Is somewhat indicative of influence and industry, measurably through his influence as a member of the ' 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 securing 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- ence 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.
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 -aving 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- Line Railroad," not in opposition to any other cor- 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 crowded by officials and attachés 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 Salemi to reply, but after a few sentences he advanced across the chamber, and taking the senator from Salen by the hand, complimented him on the success of his effort. The vote stood nine for the bill, lacking but two of a majority. In this context the inexperienced senator from Salem was combated for many weeks by not only the personal efforts of the railroad managers and at- torneys, but all other influences and appliances n-ual on such occasions. He was without any extraneous assistance, and not even acquainted with the corpora- tors named in the bill.
In 1856 he wasappointed 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 nomi- Dated aud, against determined opposition, succeeded in reporting Hon. William L. Dayton as president of the convention. MIr. Dayton's decidedly Republican speech on taking the chair first turned the attention advocate the bill. Senator Franklin was selected to ; 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 clerk 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 record indicates that his consistency and integrity of purpose were fully maintained ; and it is scarcely necessary to say that during the remarkable period he was not overawed by threats or swerved by favors.
The senator from Salem declined following the lead of special bank agents, having twenty-one applica- tious for recharters in charge, but discriminated in favor of localities where banks were unquestionably required. He was chairman of a committee to inves- In 1859, Mr. Smith was appointed a member of the " Opposition" State Executive Committee. His col- 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 suc- 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 term 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. tigate charges of bribery, and he introduced and se- cured the passage of a bill to equalize the price of public 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 Rail- 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 ascertain and recommend measures for the better pro- tection of life and property on the coast, and opened correspondence with the Governors of the sea-board 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 Ollen and States to seeure their influence with the general gov- ernment. Hle also collected an additional amount of information in regard to the requirements of the ser- vice from practical inen residing near their coast. , election of the Democratic candidate. Mr. Smith
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determined, against strong protestations, to attend and influence the action of this convention. IJe planned the movement, summoned his friends, re- ! representative in Congress. 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 MIr. Olden. Governnr 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 provedl 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 . addressed a letter to Governor Okden, earnestly prof- in 1860 there was a determined effort made in New fering his services to the State and nation for any duty whereby they could best be rendered available. The Governor accepted bis offer, and promised um- ployment. It having tran-pired that Fort Dela- ware was liable to be captured by disloyalists, MIr. Smith was dispatched to Philadelphin to take such action in aronsing the authorities as he 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 Get. Patterson, and medical and surgical supplies through Gen. Wool. The following service was referred t. Jersey to obtain delegates in favor of William H. Seward for the Presidency. Mr. Smith, deeming it impossible to attain success 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 behalf of some other candidate. Hle 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 incipient 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. | by the adjutant-general in his annual report : Mi. Dayton as Minister to France, and Mr. Dudley as consul at Liverpool. All the details of this matter have hitherto been published, and their correctness in every respect is unimpeached.
Governor Newell's administration was confronted by a hostile Senate, who refused to confirm his ser- eral nominations for the position of chancellor, and for a year the State was without an official of that description. MIr. 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 intimacy with Mr. Herring, president of the Senate. At the ensuing se-sion 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 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 tact 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
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 resolutions in the City . Hall meetings as early as January, 1861, calling upon the government to vindicate its authority and adop: stringent measures to save the Union. He employel 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 MIr. 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
Smith was hastily dispatched to New York, and under extraordinary circumstances procured nearly twenty- five thousand rounds of musket-ball cartridge- and one hundred thousand percussion-caps for tir four regiments already en route for the seat of war. and placed it on board the flotilla at midnight durin: the prevalence of a severe storm. The ammunition transportation, etc., were only obtained through m' .: persistent efforts, and solely upon his personal respm . bility, at a period when neither the New York author: ties or railroad companies would extend credit to !!! State. Ile was frequently dispatched to New )'. ... Philadelphia, and Washington on important mission- passing down the Potomac in front of the chend . batteries, visiting our camps in Virginia, and, i brief, proceeding everywhere and doing everythin .. required of him. He made a midnight trip to Wa -... ington while the enemy were crossing the Potomi : above that city, and rumors of burning bridges s :. cavalry raids were rife along the route, and he disre- garded warnings to leave Washington while the. was yet time until he had faithfully performed .. . duty. His visits to the War Department were on nently snecessful, and on one occasion, a. inforin :
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he saved for the State seventy-five thousand dollars through tact and energy in obtaining interview. with the Secretary of War at critical and seemingly im- possible periods. These journeys were generally Fermier ressorts, and were always successful. Governor ollen, in expressing his acknowledgments, emphat- ically remarked, " You 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 im- portant association. It is unnecessary to refer more particularly to his services, suffice it to say he re- -ponded to every call, and assumed every responsi- bility required. They were performed uno-tenta- tiously, without the stimula- of promotion, public recognition, or reward of any kind. save the conscious- ness of patriotic duty ; and it may properly be stated 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- frient doubted a favorable re-ult, prompted alone by patriotic motives, he invested all of his available means in government funds.
In 1$62, Governor Olden renominated Mr. Smith, as a U'nion man, to the position of clerk of the Supreme Court, assuring him he had entertained no other pur- pose from the first.
The clo-e of the Rebellion found the Union party in greatly improved condition, not only on account of the return of the soldiers, but the flat 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 J .. Ward was nominated against great opposition. During the canvass the chairman of the State Com- mittee, in the performance of undoubted duty, found 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 what had become a powerful official oligarchy was 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 unmistakably in accord with him. In due time his testimonials were forwarded to Governor Ward. They embraced (with but three exceptions) the unami- mous 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 town-hip of Salem County en masse ; the unanimous recommendations of the justices of the Supreme Court aud judges of the Court of Errors, of the State and City Union Leagues, the Union State Executive Committees, etc. Included in the testimonials were those of the chief justice, chancellor and two ex-chancellors, six ex-Governors and three prospective Governors, cx-United States senators, and, in brief, every po-sible influence save that which had combined to effect his supersedure. These testimonials substantially bound are cherished with honest pride as a diploma for the faithful per- formance of responsible duties, and far more aceept- able than the retention of any official or political position. They are remarkable for containing the autograph, of nearly every member of the bar. the " entire judiciary, and every Union editor of the State
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at an exceedingly interesting period of her history. Their presentation to the Governor was followed by a single interview, and that by renomination and unanimous confirmation. The Republican party now had control of every branch of the State government. It was emphatically at the zenith of power, and under ordinary circumstances the supremacy might have been indefinitely prolonged. The chairman of the State Executive Committee, after repeated and dis- heartening efforts to discharge his duty to regular gubernatorial and congressional candidates, against not only entire lack of co-operation, but positive ob- struction on the part of those who assumed to control the influence while they avoided the responsibilities of the party, repeatedly but ineffectually tendered his resignation. In no manner is he to be hell re- sponsible for the disasters which subsequently ensued.
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.
Mr. Smith was appointed and took charge of the ceremonies incident to entertaining and escorting the 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 publie 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 again-t all ob-tacles, performed per- sonally nearly all of the details of duty, and achieved great success. The Trenton Opera-House was cromiled by an audience of fifteen hundred, and the programme fully carried out. Gen. Grant then and there unques- tionably received his first nomination for the P'resi- dency. It is unnecessary to follow the subject of this sketch through a period of subsequent efforts to main- tain the success and integrity of the party. His term as clerk of the Supreme Court having expired in 1872, he gladly relinquished the position (the duties of which had increased fivefold) to a Democratic successor, thus yielding to the fate of war, but not to injustice. Every department of his intricate and re- sponsible office was left in perfect order.
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