The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-07-18
Fremont in the Senate.

When the people OF California adopted
state form Of government, with slavery e'
cluded from their limits, no man was NOR
earnest and untiring in securing that resul
than John G. Fremont. His great service
were recognized by his election as one of tn
first two senator's from the new state. Ow
ing to the frec-state provision Of the new
constitution, the southern members Of con
gress impeded tho admission of California
from month to month, therefore preventing
the two senators from obtaining their seats
When at length the state was admitted, tn
brief term drawn by Fremont had nearl!
expired. In the remaining time, however
he made his mark as firm and consistent
friend of freedom owing to this, the slave
ry politicians brought all their arts to bea'
on the California legislature, and succeeded
after about $50 ball tings, in electing ont
of their men in his stead.
It is urged by some party presses that
Fremont voted against abolishing slavery in
the District of Columbia. The facts are
these Sept. l2, 1850, a clause abOlishing
the odious slaye-trade in the District, had
been pushed 50 far that there was a good
prospect of passing it. At that time, Mr.
Seward, to redeem cert,in pledges, NOV, d
an amendment abolishins slavery entirely
in the District the friends Of liberty saw
that this could not pass, and would defeat
even the original proposition, if adhered to-
Accordingly, Stewards amendment was re,
jected, yeas, 5, nays As. Among the latter
voting with Fremont, weresuch men as Da-
Wis of Massachusetts,, B,ldwin and Truman
Smith of Connecticut, Ewing Of Ohio,
r. c. Winthrop, Hamlln of Maine, &C.
This negative vote was the only hope for the
first measure, which on Sept. 10th passed
by small majority, Fremont, Dayton, and
all the friends Of freedom voting for it
On another occasion, the prop ,siton Of
Seward being renewed, was almost unani-
mously rejected; Fremont and the most of
the free State senator's concurred, knowing
it to be impossible to pass it, and thinking
it injurious to practical measures they hoped
to carry.
On the bill abolishing the slave trade in
the District, several severe contests took
place, and in them all, the young Caliior-
nian was Us true as steel.
September 18th, an effort was made to
get IN clause that any person advising or
aiding u slave to run away from the District,
should be thrown into the National prison
for FIVE years. The vote was close, the slave
ryites resorting to every appeal to "save the
Union !" the provision was lost by only four
majority. Among the nays were Fremont,
Hale, Dayton, Seward, Chase, J. Davis,
Baldwin, Hamlin, &c. On the other side
was, Foote, the great compromise advocate,
and Dawson and Berien, the whig senator's
from Fremont's native state.
The southern men afterwards most stren-
uously urged clause authorizing the cit
les Of the district, If they desired. to forbid
free negroes from living therein this was
defeated by eight majority, among its oppo-
nents being Fremont. Hale, Dayton, Chase,
and Seward. Then again, when Mason Of
Va. moved to strike out from the navy bill
the clause abolishing the aOgging Of our
seamen, Fremont was found with Hale,
Chase and Seward, voting no, while most OF
the southern men went in body for it.
Fremont's course was to vote against mo-
tions for hopeless prop sitions that would
only excite stronger opposition to their pur-
pose, but to be among the foremost Of the
friends ofhumanity on all really practical
questions.
1t was urged, at an carly day, that the
government should farm out all the land in
the gold regions of California, in imitation
of Spanish despotism and corruption, letting
out immense tracts to partizan agents who
should have the sole right, on their orn
terms, to underlet to actual diggers in this
case, the land belonging to the nation,
slave labor or peonage could be used in
spite Of California law. Besides tho power
of the south, hosts Of spectators pushed
forward this scheme, and they were aided
by many favorites Of government who cx'
pected to reap go den haryests without Ia.
Dor.
Fremont set his face against this plan
and urged through the Senate a bill t.
throw the mines open to all our people
owing entirely to his efforts thousands o
poor men are to-day at work in their owr
little diggings, earning q competency. In
his defense Of his bill, Col. Fremont thu
defines his true democracy -.
"Thc principles Of this bill Us have al
ready stated them, are to exclude all idea o
making national revenue out Of thes
mines-to prevent the possibility Of monop
olies by powerful capitalists = and to
give the natural capital, that is to 81.
labor and industry, fair chance to work
and the secure enjoyment of what the.
6nJ y