He advocated the repeal of the Bankrupt Law, believing its repeal essential to the restoration of financial and commercial confidence and prosperity. He voted for the restriction of Chinese emigration to this country. He was always an earnest advocate of the principles of protection to all branches of American industry. He favored all measures looking to the enlargement of our foreign commerce, the establishment of proper harbor and coast defences, the building of an efficient navy and the reform in the civil service and kindred measures. In 1856 he was a delegate to the first Republican National convention, assisted in the organization of the party, and ever afterward was an earnest advocate of its principles and supporter of its candidates. He was chairman of the Republican State convention in 1887. This was his last public appearance, and though visibly failing in health, he proved, as on all former similar occasions, his remarkable ability as a presiding officer. So excellent an impression did he make by his dignified conduct that, coupled with his previous unsullied record, and coming as he did from a section of the State whose claims had long been unrecognized, he was by many spoken of as a suitable candidate to succeed Governor James A. Beaver, and had his physical vigor remained adequate, it is extremely probable that he would have received the gubernatorial nomination.
In business circles the general was no less esteemed than in public life. Because of his high character, his name was a tower of strength in any enterprise. Prominent among the corporatioins with which he was connected as a director were the First National Bank, The Savings Bank and the Gas and Water Companies and the Johnstown Electric Light Company. He was a charter member of Alma
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Lodge and of Wm. F. Packer Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and for thirty years took a lively interest in those organizations, in which he rose to the principal offices. He was likewise a charter member of Johnstown Lodge, No. 538, Free and Accepted Masons. By his former comrades in arms, among whom he was affectionately known as "Uncle Jake," he was loved and honored for his sterling qualities, both as a man and as a soldier, and some of his happiest hours were those passed at the camp-fires of Emory Fisher Post, No. 30, G. A. R., of which he was a prominent and enthusiastic member to the day of his death. In 1887, upon the reorganization of the Fifty-Fourth regiment as a civil body, he was enthusiastically chosen president by the survivors. Upon retiring from public life General Campbell sought the quiet and seclusion of his home, and devoted himself to looking after his private interests, and to taking a well-earned rest after his active and useful life. But he was not destined to enjoy it long. Up to the year 1883 he had been wholly exempt from physical ailments, but in that year he sustained a severe attack of pneumonia, which seriously undermined his health. Twice subsequently the same disease prostrated him, the last time being in May, 1888; but owing to his strong constitution he recovered, although with each attack his strength visibly diminished. When apparently recovering from the last attack of pneumonia he was stricken with paralysis, and although his life was despaired of then, he routed the disease and recovered sufficient strength to leave his bed and go about almost as usual. About two months before his death his final illness began with symptoms of heart failure. His death
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