Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 03.pdf/534

 495 up in the future mighty events which war. He did not stop to inquire into the forecasted for him a glorious place in the merits of the controversy; the time to do history of his State and nation. Clouds of that had long since passed. In 1862 he was nominated for Governor disturbance began now to lower ominously in the political horizon. Joel Parker was a by the Democratic convention, and elected Democrat, through and through, every inch by the triumphant majority of 14,600; the of him; but his patriotism rose above party. largest ever given in New Jersey for any He deprecated any movement which seemed candidate. Now began a career unparalleled to commit the people ol the North to meas in New Jersey. He became the great " War ures interfering with what the citizens of the Governor," — a name which clings to his South considered their property, secured to memory, and by which he is better known them by the law of the land. He would than by any other of his numerous titles. have consented to peace, sacrificed much His administration was successful beyond to secure its continuance, but he would not expectation, and is full of historic events sacrifice the Union, nor honor, nor the life which have made it famous. It would be of the Republic. So, up to the moment interesting to follow it, but it is impossible when what he deemed rebellion broke out, to do justice to it in the brief space allotted and the Union and the consequent life of to the notice of this patriotic Governor. He saved the citizens of the State from the Republic were at stake, he was earnest and decided, firm and unalterable, in his draft; he cared for the wants of the soldier; efforts to avert war. But when war came he established a bureau for them where they he uttered no uncertain sound; he wavered might obtain correct information from home not a moment, but with all the force of his and from friends, and through which they energetic nature threw himself into the con mighttransmitlettersand money to their fami test on the side of Union and of the Republic. lies. He not only provided for the wants of the At the outbreak of the war he was appointed soldier in active service in the field, but also Major-General of the militia of the third for the wounded and sick in ambulance and division, comprising the counties of Mercer, hospital. When Pennsylvania was invaded Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean. Charles by Lee, and Philadelphia was threatened, be S. Olden was the Governor, a man of con fore the citizens of that State had recovered summate ability, of unerring judgment, and from their fright or had raised a single com an intense Republican; and Joel Parker was pany of men to defend their homes and fire a pronounced Democrat. But the Gover sides, thousands of Jersey troops, impelled nor knew his man, did not hesitate to nom by Governor Parker's magnetic influence, inate him to the Senate for this most were marching through the great city to its important position; that body promptly con relief and on to Gettysburg. The country firmed the nomination, and it was the very rang with his praises; President and Gov best selection that could have been made. ernors, Congress and Legislatures, vied with General Parker seemed ubiquitous; he one another in attesting to his ready patriot held public meetings and addressed them; ism and alert action in the cause of the roused the patriotic spirit of the citizens to Union. He made the name of Jerseymen fever heat; organized uniform companies glorious. These were but a few of his ex and impelled them to enlist; he promoted ertions during the war, and not the best and volunteering, and raised more men for the most enduring are here recorded. Federal army than any other man, more pro While thus active and energetic in sup bably- than any other ten men. He upheld porting the war, he was frank and outspoken Governor Olden in his support of the ad,in the expression of his views of certain meas ministration in its efforts to terminate the ures connected with the conduct of the con