Background

Samuel Sullivan Cox was a descendant of Thomas Cox, one of the original proprietors of East Jersey, who came to the Province in 1670. A great-grandson of this pioneer was General James Cox, soldier of Brandywine and Germantown, speaker of the New Jersey legislature, friend of Jefferson, and member of the Tenth Congress. His son, Ezekiel Taylor Cox, removed to Zanesville, Ohio, and became editor of the Muskingum Messenger, marrying the daughter of Samuel Sullivan, at one time state treasurer. Of this union were born thirteen children, Samuel Sullivan Cox being the second child.

Education

Samuel attended Ohio University for nearly two years. Later he entered Brown University, graduating in 1846 with high honors. During his course, he distinguished himself as a debater and writer of prize essays in history, economics, and criticism. Returning to Ohio after graduation he read law.

Career

Cox practiced the law in Cincinnati for two years that opened prospects to his professional success, but his tastes drew him to literature and travel. He visited Europe, publishing upon his return his first book, A Buckeye Abroad (1852). Its favorable reception turned his attention to journalism, and he became editor and chief owner of the Ohio Statesman at Columbus. A glowing description of a sunset, printed May 19, 1853, won him a sobriquet which clung—“Sunset” Cox.

Journalism led into politics. As chairman of the Democratic state committee Cox showed such efficiency that President Pierce offered him the post of secretary of legation in England (1855). He chose in preference a similar appointment to Peru, but turned back on the way because of ill health. Thereupon he was elected to Congress (1856), defeating his Republican and “Know-Nothing” rivals by a plurality of 355. From 1857, with the exception of the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Congresses and a year of diplomatic service, he was almost continuously a member of the lower house. Despite reapportionments, gerrymanders, and other vicissitudes of politics, he failed only a few times in thirty years to win reelection by votes which show an increasing hold upon his constituents. When his career closed, few if any of his associates enjoyed greater distinction for long and useful service. Almost every major issue for a generation had felt his influence.

He practised law and wrote Eight Years in Congress, while the radicals passed the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments and impeached the President.

Appointed minister to Turkey by President Cleveland in 1885, he resigned and returned to America after a year. The literary result of this sojourn was Diversions of a Diplomat in Turkey (1887). He visited the Northwest in the summer of 1889, following the admission of the “omnibus” states, but his health, never robust, broke down, and his death followed.

He was a prolific writer. In addition to the titles already mentioned the following may be enumerated: Puritanism in Politics (1863); Why We Laugh (1876); and Free Land and Free Trade (1880).

Achievements

• Samuel S. Cox was distinguished for his service in the U. S. Congress. He was directly responsible for bills establishing the Life Saving Service, securing increased pay and vacation privileges for letter-carriers, and broadening the scope of the census enumeration of 1890. He took pride in the development of the West, promoting legislation for the reclamation of waste lands, and insisting upon statehood for the Dakotas, Montana, and Washington.

Works

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  • The Isles of the Princes, Or, the Pleasures of Prinkipo

    (The Isles of the Princes, Or, the Pleasures of Prinkipo i...)

  • Protection to American Citizens Abroad-Germans and Irish-Parties and Platforms: Speech of Hon. Samuel S. Cox, of New York, in the House of Representatives, Saturday, July 15, 1876 (Classic Reprint)

    (Excerpt from Protection to American Citizens Abroad-Germa...)

  • The Nation's Hope in the Democracy; Historic Lessons for Civil War: Speech of Hon. S. S. Cox, of Ohio, on the Bill of H. Winter Davis, "to Guarantee ... Overthrown, a Republican Form of Government"

    (Excerpt from The Nation's Hope in the Democracy; Historic...)

  • Diversions of a Diplomat in Turkey

    (This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 18...)

  • Why We Laugh

    (This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)

  • Lecompton Constitution of Kansas: Speech of Hon. Samuel S. Cox, of Ohio, on the President's Message, Delivered in the House of Representatives, December 16, 1857 (Classic Reprint)

    (Excerpt from Lecompton Constitution of Kansas: Speech of ...)

  • Puritanism in Politics: Speech of Hon. S. S. Cox, of Ohio, Before the Democratic Union Association, January 13, 1863 (Classic Reprint)

    (Excerpt from Puritanism in Politics: Speech of Hon. S. S....)

Politics

Entering Congress during the Kansas crisis, while Douglas was attacking the Lecompton constitution in the Senate, Cox’s maiden speech was made against it, the first by any member of the House. As war drew near, he supported all measures which promised adjustment of sectional difficulties; and after hostilities began, although he voted consistently for money and men to sustain the Federal authority, he advocated every effort to restore peace and union. He strenuously opposed the resort to martial law outside of the war zone (he was a friend of Clement L. Vallandigham and, as he testified on oath, was the author of the words for which Vallandigham was arrested); as a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, he aided in settling the Trent affair; he influenced Lincoln’s decision to treat Southern seamen as prisoners of war instead of pirates; he was among the foremost in efforts to abolish privateering; he was instrumental in bringing about the Hampton Roads Conference in 1865. At the National Democratic Convention of 1864 he seconded McClellan’s nomination for the presidency. In 1864 he successfully opposed extreme confiscation measures.

Cox opposed centralizing tendencies in government, and saw in Cleveland’s election the promise of a permanent return to early Democratic principles. He labored during many sessions for complete amnesty, and was prominent as an advocate of reform of the tariff and the Civil Service.

Personality

Cox was a deeply religious man, a scholar of broad reading and prodigious memory, and an independent thinker who never allowed his party to prescribe his course. In debate he was ready, witty, and courteous.

Connections

In 1849 Cox married Julia A. Buckingham of Zanesville, who was thenceforth his congenial and inseparable companion.

Father:

Ezekiel Taylor Cox

Spouse:

Julia A. Buckingham

Grandfather:

James Cox

References

• The Democratic Party of the State of Ohio, Vol. 2: A Comprehensive History of Democracy in Ohio From 1803 to 1912, Including Democratic Legislation in ... Conventions, the Reverses and Successes of