The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-06-27
Our Candidates.

common patriotism have called into existence
to support the constitution as expounded by
its great Fathers, was born in the city oil
Savannah, Georgia, January 81, 1913.
The following sketch of the history Of our
candidate is abridged from one which ap-
peared in the Boston Atlas on Saturday, q.
The materials from which the sketch OF Mr..
FemOnt's history is made, are taken from
the advance pages Of an eloquent, and
beautiful memoir of his life, explorations
and public services which is soon to bepub-
lished by Mcssr. Ticknor and Fields, OF
Boston. The Atlas says:
1t is from the pen of one of our most gilt
ed and accomplished scholars and public
men, and will be found most interesting
and attractive, as well as a just and glowing
tribute to the public services and the private
worth Of the standard bearer Of the Nation
al Republican party.
The following is portion of its opening
chapter;
JouS CHARLES Fremont was born on the
2lst of January, 1913. His father bore
the same name, was deeply interested in
studying the character and condition OF the
North American Indians, and spent the last
years Of his life in visiting many Of their
tribes. The mother, celebrated for her
beauty and worth, was Ann Beverly Whit
ing, native of Gloucester County, Virgin
ia. Her family was connected with many
distinguished names, including that OF
Washington, to whom she was nearly relat-
cd.
The father died in 1918, leaving widow
and three children, two sons and daughter.
Col. Fremont is the sole survivor Of his
family, with the exception Of an orphan
niece, the daughter of his brother, who
since nine years Of age has been member
of his family. The mother died in 1877,
at Aiken, South Carolina the brother and
sister some years before.
After the death Of her husband, Mrs.
Fremont remained some time in Virginia,
where John Charles received the rudiments
of his education, at Dinwiddie Court House.
She then removed back to Charleston,
where she fixed her residence, and the edu-
cation Of her children was continued. Al
though born and reared in aflluencc, and
accustomed to the free and liberal expendi-
lures Of the hospital and generous class to
which her Virginia relatives belonged, she
was left with her young charge, in very
limited circumstances, but fortunately in a
community which appreciated her claims to
respect, sympathy, and all kind Offices
She is still remembered by many faithful
friends in Charleston, as a lady of great
piety and worth.
When John Charles was about thirteen
years ofage, John W. Mitchell, Esq, a
lawyer in Charleston, gentleman of great
respectability, in no way connected with
the family, but actuated only by bcncvo-
lent impulses, although perceiving, it is not
unlikely, the bright promise of the lad, took
him into his Office for the purpose of making
a lawyer Of him. At subsequent period,
il became favoritc object Of Mr.. Mitchell,
to have him prepare himself for the minis
try of the church.
Mr.. Mitchell placed him under the tuition
Of DR.. RObertOn, learned instructor at
that time in Charleston, and now engaged
in the same employment in Philadelphia.
DR.. Roberton published an edition of Memo
phon's Anabasis, in 1850. In the preface
he gives the following account Of the youths
whom Mr.. Mitchell placed in his hands. 1t
is a most interesting document, and shows
how the character, which Col. Fremont has
ever exhibited, was formed, and illustrates
the early development of the energy and
talent that have borne him on through life :
"In the year 1927, after | had returned
to Charleston from Scotland, and my classes
were going on, very respectable lawyer
came to my school, l think sometime in the
month of October, with a youth, apparently
about sixteen, or perhaps not so many,
(Gourtccn,) of middle size, graceful in man
ners, rather slender, but well formed, and
upon the whole, what should call hand
some; ola keen, picrcingcye, and a noble
forehead, seemingly the very scat of genius.
The gentleman stated that he found him
given to study, and that he had been about
three weeks learning the. Latin rudiments,
and (hoping l suppose, to turn the youths
attention from the law to the ministry, }
had resolved to place him under my care,
for the purpose Of learning Greek, Latin, and
Mathematics, sufficiently to enter Charles
ton College. livery gladly received him,
for l Immediately perceived he was no CON-
mon youth, as intelligence bcamed in his
dark eye, and shcne brightly on his countc-
nance, indicating great ability, and an as
surancc Of his future progress. l at once
put him in the highest class, just beginning
to read CAESARS Commentaries, and although
at first inferior, his prOdigious memory and
enthusiastic application soon enabled him to
surpass the best.
And whatever he read he retained. II
seemed to me, in fact, as If he learned by
mere intuition. wasmysclf utterly aston
ished, and at the same time delighted with
his progress. l have limited that he was
designed for the church, but when l con.
tcmplatcd his bold fearless disposition, his
powerful inventive genius, his admiration
of warlike exploits, and his love Of heroic
and adventurous deeds, l did not think il
likely he would be a minister Of the Gospel.
He had not, however, the least appearance
of any vice whatever. On the contrary, he
xxas :, lV,, - tha var,, ~, tta-,, - ...s,. .,I