Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-08-18
SPEECH OF HON. HENRY WILSON,
of MnssachusettE.

On the Resolutions introduced By Mr. Bigter Of
Pennsylvania. calling upon the Treasury
Department to report the Papers corersng the
Accounts of Col. John C. Fremont 10Th the
Government, deliUered IN the Senate, dug. II,
1856
MIR. President: The days of this session are
rapidly passing. Business of the highest I'M
portance presses upon our consideration
Chairmen of leading committees charged with
measures of great public concern crowd TOR
ward TO obtain the ear of the Senate. While
the Senate is thus engaged in the performance
of its high duties to the country. the Senator
from Pennsylvania Mr.. Bigler, thrusts be-
fore us this petty. miserable proposition-a
proposition unworthy a moments attention of
honorable men in or out of the Senate.
The Senator from Pennsylvania, not con-
tent with launching into the Senate this
scheme, which must have originated with
some housing politician engaged in the pur-
suit of petty ends by petty means, but he
presses its consideration now in spite of the
earnest remonstrances of the Chairman OF the
Committee on Finance Mr.. Hunter, who is
charged with the care OF the Civil and Diplo-
matte bill, and the Chairman of the Commit
tee of the Pacific Railroad Mr.. Weller, who
wishes to call the Senate to the consideration
of that great measure to unite the Atlantic
ana racine SHORES Oh tue hcpuOilc.
But the Civil and Diplomatic bill, the Paci-
fc Railroad bill, and other measures must be
thrust aside by the Senator from Pennsylva-
MIA, that the Senate may consider this propo.
sition by which certain political echemers
hope to elicit something out of which they
can manufacture ISLANDERS againsta brave man,
who has served his country with eminent abil-
! ity in peace and in war.
The Senator from Pennsylvania cannot sup
pose that this proposition will pass this body
without, at least, passing notice. He takes
the>responsibility, he chooses to press it, and
L shall take at least few moments of the
time OF the Senate to characterize the propo-
stion as l think it deserves.
Does the Senator from Pennsylvania expect
to win any laurels by thrusting this PROPOSE
ton into the Senate Does he suppose the
generous people of this country will applaud
this attempt to wound the sensibllites aud
defame the character of one who has won a
brilliant name in the history of the Republic
one whose explorations and scientific labors
have conferred upon our country honor and
renown among civilized nations? Does he
expect to win support for his favorite candi-
date for the Presidency by thrusting into the
Senate this wretched proposition
Sir, this is small game. If that Senator
hopes to win popular confidence and applause
if he hopes to turn back the tide of popular
favor that is bearing John G.. Fremont to the
Executive chair, by this resolution, which
here pronounce; which honorable men in anc
out Of the Senate will pronounce, and which
the country will pronounce, small and mean
he will find himself sadly mistaken
Wherever this proposition goes, high minded
men will treat it with derision, scorn and con.
tempt; and no little of that derision, scorr
and contempt will be visited upon the mer
who resort to such devices to effect poltica
results, 1 would not stoop to such a warfare
as this. If it was aimed at James Buchanan
l would spurn it from me.
This is not the first time, Mr.. President
that the shafts of political malgnity have
been hurled at men who have served the Re
public, and it is not the first time the Senat,
has been called upon to grope among the ar
chives OF the government to discover SOM
account between the Government aud mel
who have been entrusted with public funds
out of which something would be distorted
for partisan ends.
In 1924 Andrew Jackson was assalled 70
his military deeds. The people, unmindfu
of these assaults. bore him proudly to tn
Presidential chair, over one of the purest
ablest and most incorruptible patriots tina
1910, Gen. Harrison was assailed by the en-
yenomed tongue of SANDER, branded as ,
coward, andsdenounced as a corrupt man, ant
the people took him in their arms and Dor,
him to the Executive chair over his expert
enced and accomplished competitor.
In lS48, Zachary Taylor and the venerable
Senator from Michigan Gen. Cass) were
both denounced in the same manner-thei
accounts with the government through Ion.
years of public service overhauled and audit
ed over again by the political accountants an,
auditors.
In 1852, Gen. Scott, a soldier who ha
served the republic for more than forty year
in peace and war with unsurpassed ability
was arraigned in the same manner and for
similar object.
What was gained by these assaults upol
jackson, Harrison. Cass, Scott l enture t,
say here to- day, that all those assaults upoi
these distinguished men concerning thei
monetary transactions with the government
never lost them the confidence or support o
any portion of the American people. Sir, tn,
American people believe these assaults to b.
unjust, mean and contemplate. Pass thu
resolution, drag out of the departments tn,
bills vouchers, letters, and papers between
Col. Fremont and the government garbl
them, scatter them over the land, blurt thei
contents into the unwilling ear of the coun
try; and the people, with that sense of Justice
that practical judgment which distinguish
them, will pronounce it all political persecu
ton.
Yes, sir, this partisan schemel will brin,
upon its authors upon the men engaged in it
execution, not public confidence and regard
but public censure and contempt; and it vii
bring to Col. Fremont the sympathy whicI
honest men ever give to the prosecuted.
Col. Fremont was entrusted by his govern
ment with high and responsible duties
These duties were far distant from the seat @
government, beyond the borders of the State
in the territories beyond the father of waite
in the Rocky Mountains - in California
Those high and responsible duties were per
formed in a manner that won the commenda
ton of the government, the approval of hon
orable senators upon this floor and the an
plause and admiration of grateful people
His name is forever associated with the path
ways to the golden shores of The Pacific
through the gorges of the Rocky Mountain
with the conquest and acquisition of Cali
fornia.
Money was entrusted to his hands. In TIL
performance of the duties assigned him, me-
property, money we're all for months-years-
entrusted to his keeping. The people will de
mand why John G. Fremont is arraigned no
eight or ten years after his duties to the gov
eminent were performed. If his account
were unsettled-if he had failed to aecoun
for money placed in his har ds-if he was il
any sense defaulter, " why" the people wi
demand, :" was he not reported as the law
require by the proper officers Why was hi
name left out of the list Of public officer
whose accounts are reported unsettled"