The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-15
THE MAN OF STRAW.

Heretofore candidates for the presidency (says the
Washington Sentine have been selected by the great
parties from those who have rendered great and inn
porant services the nation. No national party prior
to 1856 has presumed to offer man as candi-
date for President, unless he had national repata-
ton and that by longconnued service In posts Of
high responsibility Examine the history Of the country
and this will DO found to be strictly true John Quincy
Adams and Andrew jackson the first presidential
candidates who did not belong to the era OF the revoa
ton. Then came Mr. Van Buren, who had been long in
the Senate of the United States Of New York.
Secretary of State of the United States To him succeed
ed Gen. HARRISON who for forty had occupied posts
of honor and high Generals Taylor and Scott had
both national reputation, which justified their pre-
sentation presidential candidates Mr. Polk and Mr..
Fillmore for many years in Congress had been considered
among the first statesmen of the country before their names
were offered to the people for their suhrages.
But what the antecedents Of John G. Fremont He
had been explorer Of dubious reputation We know Of
useful practical results from his services explorer
Capt Wilkes detected in his lines and observations
and emgran California and Oregon, mised by his pubs
lished reports have denounced him as a hnmbug.
Tweny-one days in the Senate Of the United States
the Of his service in the councils Of the nation In
that time his position below that Of mediocriy He par
tcpaed in important discussonhe proposed meas
of consequence He really the most Insignificant
member of the body to which he belonged His constitu
properly estimated his worth and did not repeat the
experiment OF electng him TO the Senate.
He was indebted for his first election tbs fact
that he the sonn-aw of Colonel Benton than to any
intrinsic merits of his own The Cafornans supposed that
If they sent Fremont 10 the Senate they would have the
benefit of Col Benton exerons in aid Of the great
Of legislation which they required Of Congress.
Since be left the Senate he has been engaged chiefly In
indicating his tide TO California lands which II is said
abound in god-bearing quartz These lands II is said
made him rich though others say they worthless
and that II costs 10 extract the gold from them than
1t is worth. .
His services in California, when examined by the light
which public documents afford found to hare been
neither important brilliant. They might have been
well performed by almost any other person He never
in single battle in California He always arrived after
the fighting over.
But be undoubtedly able TO command funds with
which TO purchase tho republican nomination on the nth
Of June This the greatest e1poa which he per-
formed.
But what his qualifications for the presidency We
have yet been able ascertain what peculiar merit his
friends ascrbe to him. constituting the semblsnce Of fitness
for the post of Chief Magistrate Arc the people prepared
to elevate 10 the presidency devoid Of qualifications
for the oicc1 If SO, might we'll choose Presi
dent by lot.
Mr.. Fremont would have been chosen the can
ddae Of any respectable party BY he people few poll
tcians who aspire TO control the government selected him
for his negative qualities and under the impression which
he has auly created that he has Of bouDdes
wealth lie 10 Of srow. They already sick Of
their bargain. They enthusiasm for his
They have made egregous bunder in selecting
him The bis history is sied the more worthless
his merits as candidate will appear.
He is after ALL the candidate Of the present party Of
opposition to the ADMINISTRATION but simply the candidate
Of the abolition party The abolition leaders controlled the
convention which nominated him The platform which
he nominated Is ultra abolition, denying the rigid Of
slavery evoychre outside Of he old Thirteen States Ho
win receive only the abolition vote-sghty Augmented
by few renegade wings and freeso democrats He has
not the rcmoicst chance Of success There Is hardly
probability that he win carry many States as General
Scott Messrs. Seward, Weed, Greeley Giddines q Co.,
viii have to try their hand with somebody else They
win get possession Of the through the
instrumenali,y Of John Fremont A@