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| History of Cambria County, V.3 |
| 8 | HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. | |
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special character. In the Forty-seventh Congress he served as chairman of the committee on manufactures, called to that important place by reason of his broad knowledge along industrial lines and earnest advocacy of the principles of protection to all branches of American industry, and his opposition to demoralizing competition as witnessed by his efforts for the restriction of Chinese emigration to this country. He was uncompromising in his support of sound financial principles, earnestly advocating the resumption of specie payment and stoutly opposing the free and unlimited coinage of silver as being morally dishonest. He advocated the repeal of the bankrupt law, holding that its repeal was essential to the restoration of financial and commercial prosperity and stability. He favored all measures looking to the enlargement of our foreign commerce, the establishment of proper harbor and coast defense's, the building of an efficient navy, reform in the civil service, and kindred measures. General Campbell was a delegate to the First Republican national convention, in 1856, and aided in the nomination of the first presidential candidate of the party, John C. Fremont, and he was ever afterward an ardent advocate of its principles and a supporter of its candidates, both local and national, and a potent factor in many conventional bodies. His last public service was as chairman of the Republican state convention in 1887, and, though visibly failing in health, he proved, as in all former similar occasions, his remarkable ability as a presiding officer. So excellent was the impression made by his able and dignified conduct that, coupled with his previous brilliant political and military record, and coming, as he did, from a section of the state whose claims had long been unrecognized, he was spoken of by many as a suitable successor to Governor James A. Beaver, and, had his physical vigor remained adequate, it is highly probable that he would have received the gubernatorial nomination. In his own community General Campbell was no less esteemed for his activity in business affairs than he was honored for his public life, and his lofty character made his name a tower of strength in any enterprise. Prominent among the corporations with which he was connected, and in all of which he served as a director, were the First National Bank, the Savings Bank, the Electric Light Company, and the gas and water companies. He was a charter member of Alma Lodge and William F. Packer Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and for thirty years took a lively interest in those bodies, in which he was called to the principal offices. He was also 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 soldier. To the hour of his death he was a prominent and enthusiastic member of Emory Fisher Post, No. 36, Grand Army of the Republic, and some of his happiest hours were those which he passed at its encampments. In 1887, upon the organization of the Society of the Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, he was enthusiastically elected to the presidency, and held the position until his death. After retiring from public life General Campbell sought the quiet seclusion of his home and the care of his private interests. But the rest so well earned after a long and useful life he was not destined to long enjoy. He was wholly exempt from physical ailments until 1883, when, in his sixty-second year, he experienced a severe attack of pneumonia which seriously undermined his health. He was prostrated by |
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