not of using his new position to make illegitimate profits, at least
of showing reckless favoritism toward those who did. It is hardly unfair
to say that Lincoln, in bearing with Fremont as long as he did, showed
a touch of amiable weakness; and yet, it must be acknowledged that the
President knew that the country was in a dangerous mood, that Fremont
was immensely popular, and that any change might be misunderstood.
Though Lincoln hated to appear anything but a friend to a fallen
political rival, he was at last forced to act. Frauds in government
contracts at St. Louis were a public scandal, and the reputation of the
government had to be saved by the removal of Fremont in November, 1861.
As an immediate consequence of this action the overstrained nerves of
great numbers of people snapped. Fremont's personal followers, as well
as the abolitionists whom he had actively supported while in command in
Missouri, and all that vast crowd of excitable people who are unable to
stand silent under strain, clamored against Lincoln in the wildest and
most absurd vein. He was accused of being a "dictator"; he was called an
"imbecile"; he ought to be impeached, and a new party, with Fremont as
its leader, should be formed to prosecute the war. But through all this
clamor Lincoln kept his peace and let the heathen rage.

Toward the end of the year, popular rage turned suddenly on Cameron,
who, as Secretary of War, had taken an active but proper part in the
investigation of Fremont's conduct. It was one of those tremulous
moments when people are desperately eager to have something done and are
ready to believe anything. Though McClellan, now in chief command of
the Union forces, had an immense army which was fast getting properly
equipped, month faded into month without his advancing against the
enemy. Again the popular cry was raised, "On to Richmond!" It was at
this moment of military inactivity and popular restlessness that charges
of peculation were brought forward against Cameron.

These charges both were and were not well founded. Himself a rich
man, it is not likely that Cameron profited personally by government
contracts, even though the acrimonious Thad Stevens said of his
appointment as Secretary that it would add "another million to his
fortune." There seems little doubt, however, that Cameron showered
lucrative contracts upon his political retainers. And no boss has ever
held the State of Pennsylvania in a firmer grip. His t