The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-09-19
From the X. Y. Commercial Advertiser.
FREMONT AND HIS RELIGION.

INTERVIEW WITH Col. FREMoNT.-W We give
elsewhere in to-iay's Commercial an interes-
ling account Of an interview with Col. Free
mont on the subject Of his alleged Papal ten
denotes, by gentleman we'll known as a whole
sale sationpr in this city, and resident at Fac
toryville, Staten Island. No one who knows
the narrator will question the entire veracy
and moderation of his statement. We have
been for some time cognizant Of all the circun-
stances ofthe interview, and Of The causes also
that led to it. But as they were mentioned to
us without any permission TO publish, we have
not felt at liberty 10 make them the subject of
editorial comment. The gentleman bimSelf
very properly stated them publicly on SatuT-
day night, as will be seen by our report of a
spontaneous Fillmore meeting on he Island,
and We need not therefore impose auy further
restraint upon ourselves respecting them. Had
the whole story been told-al the antecedents
Of the actual interview-it would have been
decidedly amusing, revealing boW closely every
access TO the distinguished Republican candi-
date is carefully aud jeaIously watched by the
"friends'' who seem TO have been appointed his
ce>odanS.
isna.3ers of the Commercial will bear ns wit
ness that, With the exception OF one very slight
aluSlon TO the subiect-and even that studioCs-
ly avoided any expression ofour own belief in
the PremiSes-the religious creed Of Colonel
Fremont has not in any way been reterrrd to
in our columns. We have 10 relish for, we
have indeed strong aversion to- personalities
Of any kind and eSpeeaIyo Hot kind, in po-
litical warfare; and to the fatest time that the
Commercial pays lis daily visits TO lis readers,
we trust 1t will preserve this rule OF proprrty
and courtesy. We have more than once said,
and now repeat, that we find no warrant in the
constitution of the Unrd States, or in the ge-
Mus Of American institutions, for excluding
citizen from any public office on the ground of
his religious faith, any more than therein is
found any exclusive right to public office, groun-
ded upon religious creed. The constitution
knows no distinction Of tins kind.
The following is the statement to which the
Commercial refers;
Mr. B. F. Cook made some Interesting and
important statements respecting an interview he
had with Col. Fremont on the subject Of his al
legged Romansm. 1t was in substance this:
Some friends having desired to enlist the speak
er in the cause Of 50 called Repob'icanisIn, he
expressed a desire 10 have all doubts removed
on tbs mooed question, but said that nothing
short of an assurance from Col Frrmoni'S own
lips would satisfy him. An interview was ar
ranged for The object Of the visit being an
detstood by the Colonel, he avowed himself
ready TO answer any questions proposed. MIR.
Cook proposed ;he following and received TO
each the answer annexed: "Were you mar
lird I,y Roman Catholic priest ~ ''IcoS,' y
the Coionel's lip quiverng as be spoke. "Dd
YOU at the time believe in, or profess 10 believe
H. the Roman Catholic religion :" 81 did not"
'sHave YOU before or since, or at any time, pro-
iessed the Catholic religion ?" 81 hare not"
Here Mr.. Cook bowed, to signify that be had
30 more questions to ask. Col Fremont then
volunteered some remarks to the following et-
feet that while in California be attended no
church, an,! that lie occupied his Sundays 10
reading and writing, and IN attending TO such
matters of business as he thought OF importance.
Mr.. Fremont further said ''l am frequently
interrogated by all parties on this subject
presume the delegation now waiting for me up
stairs wish to intrrrogate me on tins point
When they do, ] shall put the most favorable
construction on the matter that can. ! wish
to offend none, but 10 secure the votes of ALL
Only this very morning have letter from
Maine. saving that unless | make personal de-
NAL Of RomanisIn, and that am or have been
a Roman Catholic, that State will be lost TO the
Republicans and another letter from Indiana,
telling me that if will authorize my friends
there 10 say | am Roman Catholic, they can
secure for me large German and Irish vote.
have TO frame my replies as to secure thr
votes of all There is now a drputatlon wait
ing for me, whose errapd, ! doubt not, IS the
same 1t is best 10 say as little about this mat
Ter as possible, and we most manage The thing
as well as we can, so as to get the votes ofboth
Sides Here the interview terminated. Mr.
Cooks statement was listened 10 with profound