Daily American organ., 1856-08-29
Colonel FremOnt's Faith.

Colonel FremOnt's Faith.
We have received communication from q
friend in Ohio, covering the following extract
of letter addressed from this city to the Daily
Times at Cincinnati, and we are requested to
give our opinions, and whatever information
we possess, on the subject to which the extract
refers. 1t reads thus:
"Since arriving here / have made careful inqu-
res of reliable and honorable persons as to Mr.
Fremont's religious belief and universally the re-
ply has been HE is A ROMAN CATHOLICr
People IN Washing ton, achere Mr.. Fremont re-
sides mostly have no doubt to his Catholicism,
and express astonshment that there is dispute on
the subject. Mr.. Fremont o,ons peto in the prin-
cipal Catholic charch and is often seen there du-
ring service He married by a Catholic priest
FROM CHOICE. The silly story that no Protest
ant clergyman would perform the ceremony, is
treated with the contempt it deserves. An old
aud eminent citizen, who is well acquainted with
Colonel Fremont and the whole benton family
told me yesterday, that he would give one thou
sand dollars to the Protestant clergyman who
would come forward and make oath that he was
ever asked or in any manner invited to marry Col.
Fremont.
"The priest Van Horseigh, (now dead) was
noted for being very strict and firm in all matters
pertaining to his church, and it is slander to say
that he would willingly and openly violate an inn
portant article of the Catholic faith and marry two
hereticsi 1t is direct outrage upon the Catholic
principle to perform such a ceremony, and the
priest who should perform it would be liable to ex-
communication.
"Let me now state, distinctly and candidly, that
Colonel John G. Fremont is considered member
of the Catholic church by the citizens of Wash.
ington. In fact, he is kao,cn TO be Catholic, and
contrary statements made by sundry Republican
journals are laughed at"
The correspondent of the Times has cor
rectly stated what we understand to be the
general, and in fact, the universal opinion Of
the citizens of Washington on this question.
When the subjectof Colonel Framont's faith
was first discussed by the press, we ourself in
ouired of several Catholics sohetAer or not he
freauented the Catholic church whilst in this
city, and the responses were uniformly in the
affirmative So manifest was it, that he was
universally regarded as Catholic in this city,
we repeatedly 80 stated in the columns of the
Organ nor have we yet seen or heard the
slightest reason to change our opinion, or our
assurances to our readers. We challenge any
and all men, any and all soomen, and any and
all children, who are old enough to testify in
the matter, to give us one single instance in
which Colonel Fremont euer attended Pro-
testart church in this city, except on the occa-
sions of the baptism Of his children in the
Episcopal churchl Mrs. Fremont it is uni
yersally understood, belonged to the Presby-
terian church, at and before the time of her
marriage; and, whether right or wrong, we
L. q q,
vailing opinion in Washington city is, that the
selection of the Episcopal church for the bap-
tism of their children was a compromise; but
this is a question about which we do not feel
warranted in saying more, as we would not
invade the sanctity Of those private relations
which its discussion would involve.
1t is a matter also of general belief, so far as
our information extends, that the main, if not
the only objection to the match, on the part
of Col. Benton and his lady, was the religious
training and predictions Of Col Fremont
we say this as general impression which pre-
walls in Washington among those with whom
we have conversed. If this be an error, it can
be easily and readily corrected by Col. Benton
himself who is noso in Washington, and If cor
rected, we shall cheerfully publish the correc-
ton in our columns We ourself entertain not
the slightest doubt whatever, that Colonel FIRE.
mont has always been Catholic, and we are
at all times prepared to give our reasons for
this opinion. We shall aop present some of
them. And first, Col Fremont selected, know
ingly and purposely, Catholtc priest to per-
form the ceremony of marriage.
1t was said, in explanation Of this fact, by
the authors of publication emanating from
certain members of Congress, that he could
not procure license Of marriage, and, there
fore, no Protestant minister would marry himl
We nailed this miserable falsehood to the
counter, by publishing few weeks since, a
certificate under the hand and zeal of the Clerk
of the Circuit Court, showing that a license did
in fact issue, and under Which license father
Van Horseigh married himf We said then,
and we say now, there were more than t,oenty