The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-09-19
Observation-Disclosures
DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION.

a political campaign, already crowded with
startling eecentrieities, says the Baltimore
Patriot, is the statement recently made public
by the Hon. Geo. c. Bates, of California, and
the truth of which is endorsed by the New
York Times. 1t appears from the narrative,
that late in September, 1855, the leading
men Of the Democratic party, North and
South, had fixed their attention upon Ere.
mont as their candidate for the Presidency,
and that overtures were made to him with n
view to his assent TO the nomination, by no
less person than Governor Floyd, of Vir-
gina, but the negotiation was finally broken
of, by reason of difference of opinion upon
the Missouri Compromise.
Those, however, who will read carefully
the whole story, as appended to these intro
ductory comments, will find that this appa-
rently heroic rejection of tempting pro-
posa, was not quite of so magnanmous a
character as it appears at the first glance. In
their eagerness TO serve Col. Fremont, his
friends have unintentionally let us into the
secret of his political confluence He ,oaS an
treaty, at the time, with the party by whom he
,cas subsequently, nominated, and adroitly made
use of he mission of Gov. Floyd to bring
that party to terms, for zoe learn thai immedi.
ately on he withdra,oal Of The Virginia com
mission,a telegraph,c dispatch 'oas sent to MIR.
n. - H.. .
tened to New York, where they were closet.
ed with the redoubtable Colonel, and did not
leave him until the scheme of his nomination
by the Republicans was perfected. All the
preiminares being satisfactorily arranged,
the pathfinder unpacked his trunks-for it
will be observed that, growing weary of de-
lays, and. perhaps, hopeless Of bringing the
negotiation to successful conclusion, he was
in the act of starting off to revisit his auriler-
GUS domain of Mariposa-and quietly settled
himself in New York, waiting, like the re-
spectacle gentleman deineated by Dickens
for "something to turn up" 1t was bold
game to play, but hc managed his cards so
ceverly that the knaves seemed to fall into
his hands as if by instinct, and he could soon
count trick for trick with the party whose
nomination he had declined.
To man of even ordinary sagacity it
needed no exercise of profound thought to
understand how slender the possibility of
Mr.. Fremont's nomination would have been
had he suffered his name to 90 before the
Cincinnati Convention as the competitor of
Pearce, and Douglas, and Buchanan, and with
the weight of the government officials
against him. AS the Republican nominee,
he had clear field, and at least an equal
chance of reaching the Presidency; while the
mere fact of his name being brought before
the Cincinnati Convention would have effect
ualIy precluded him from becoming the can
dinate of any other party. IL is, therefore,
clear that Fremont not only sacrificed moth
ing by dscountenancing the Democratic
proposition, but that in fact it was of advan-
tage to him in a different way, as the sequel
proves that he forthwith made use of this
very proposition as lever by which to bring
the Republicans to terms. The following
are the disclosures to which we have refer
red:
Hon. Geo. C. Bates, formerly Attorney
General of Michigan, but lately of San
Francisco, made the following highly i'm.
poriant statement in public speech ut Gala
mazoo, on Wednesday last. We invite for
it the attention of all honest Democrats. We
quote from the Detroit Tribune:
. When he (llr Baies) was expected to sail
for California in August, 1855, he was per-
suaded by Mr.. Palmer, of the firm of Palmer,
Cook g. Co, bankers, of San Francisco, to
remain until October, when he and Col.
Fremont would accompany him thithcr. Mr..
Bates postponed his departure MS desired
But when the time for departure arrived, Col.
Fremont, although his trunks were packed,
did not 90, but ordered his baggage to the
Metropolitan Hotel instead This was in
consequence of the following facts:
"Gov. Floyd, of Virginia, had just arrived
in New York city, for the special purpose OF
having an interview with Col. Fremont, and
the result of that interview was an offer
made to Col. Fremont by Floyd, in behalf of
the Democratic party, he having advised
with its lending men North and South,
of the nomination for the Presidency
He said that party wanted new man
IA man of integrity, and who had won
distinction outside Of politics. Col. Ere
mont, after listening patiently, and even
submitted to two separate interviews, and
knowing the platform he was expected to
stand upon, replied: that while deeply sen
sible of the high distinction Of the proposi-
ton made him, and hatered 10y the promises
il extended, yet with his opinions OF the re
neal of the Missouri Compromise, 1t would
be impossible for him to entertain the propo.
sition. He considered that repeal an infa
nous breach of pIghted faith, and should
never desist denouncing the net and ITS au
thors Col. Fremont planted himself lmpreg'
nablv on this position
"Nlr. Palmer, being cognizant OF these
facts, communicated them forthwith to Hon.
N. p. Banks, and Hon. Henry Wilson, of
Massachusetts, and they came and saw Col.
Fremont, and to state in brief the result OF
that interview, he consented TO lead tie hosts
of freedom in this campaign if the people
should call him to that position. All this
happened in September, 1865, u we correctly
recall Mr.. Bates statement lie gives tunes,
names and places, and vouches Tor the entire
accuracy of the above statement; and although
il did not come to him with the injunction OF
secresy. he stated he would not have reveal
ed il Ind the facts not already been partially
disclosed in last Saturdays New York Her
,ld Anv statement made by Mr. u. COM