Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-08-28
The Persecution of Col. Fremont
Senator Wilson's Speech.

solution introduced by Mr.. BIGLER, of Penn
sylvania, calling upon the Treasury Depart
ment for copies of the papers concerning
the accounts of John C. Fremont with the
Government came up for consideration.
Hon. Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts,
rose and said:-
Ma. PEEsIDEgT-The days OF this session
are rapidly passing. Business of the high
est Importance presses upon our colsidera-
tion. Charmen OF leading Committees,
charged with measures of great public con-
Germ, crowd forward 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 before US this little, petty proposition
"a proposition unworthy a moments atten-
ton OF honorable men, in or out of the Sen
ate. The Senator from Pennsylvania, not
content with launching into the Senate this
scheme-which must have originated with
some mousing politician, engaged in the
pursuit Of petty ends by petty means-but
! he presses lis consideration now, in spite
of the earnest remonstrances of the Chair
man Of the CT mmittee on Finance (Mr.
Hunter) who is charged with the care of
The Civil and Diplomatic bill, and the Chair
/ man OF the Committee on the Pacific Rail-
road Mr. Weller), who wishes to call the
Senate 10 the consideration of that great
measure, to unite the Atlantic and Pacific
shores of the Republic. But the Civil and
Diplomatic bill, and the Pacific Railroad
bill, must be thrust aside, other measures
must be thrust aside, by the Senator from
! Pennsylvania that the Senate may consider
this proposition by which certain political
schemers hope to elicit something out OF
which they can manufacture ISLANDERS against
a brave man, who has served his country
with eminent ability in peace and in war
The Senator from Pennsylvania cannot sup
pose tha, this pr position will pass this body
without at leas, passing notice. He takes
the responsibility, he chooses to press it,
I and shall take at least few moments of
the time OF the Senate to characterize the
proposition as think it deserves.
Does the Senator from Pennsylvania ex-
pect to win laurel by thrusting this PROPOSE
ton into the Senate! Does he think the
generous people of this country will applaud
this attempt to wound the sensbilities and
defame the character of one who has won a
orilhsnt name in the history of the Repub-
lic-one whose explorations and scientific
labors have conferred upon our country hon.
or and renown among all civilized nations
Does he expect TO win support for his favor lite
candidate for the Presidency by thrusting
into the Senate this wretched proposition
This is smrll game. Ii that Senator hopes
to win popular confidence and applause, if he
hopes to turn back the tide of popular favor
tha, is bearing John C.l Fremont to the Ex-
ecutive Chair, by this resolution, which
! here pronounce, which honorable men in
and cut Of the Senate will pronounce, and
which the country will pronounce. small
and mean. he will find himself sadly mis-
taken. Wherever this proposition goes,
hiehmnded men will treat it with derision
scorn and contempt; and no little ofdsrision
scorn and cont empt, will be visited upon
the men who resurt 10 such devices to ef-
feet political results.
Iwould not stoop to such warfare a:
this Ii it was aimed at James Buchanan
F would spun it from me.
This is not the first time, Mr.. President
that shafts of political maliguiy have beer
hurled at men who have served the Repub-
l lie, and it is not the first time that the Senate
t has been called upon to grope among tht
, archives Of the Government to discover
some account, or the records of some &C
count, between the Government and meI
! " ho have been intrused with public funds
: out OF which something would be distorte:
; for partisan ends.
In 1925, Andrew Jackson was assailed fol
his military deeds. The people, unmindfu
OF these assaults. bore him proudly TO The
Pres dentia' Chair over one Of the purest
ablest and most incorrnptible patriots thai
ever gfaced the couacils Of the Republic.
! In l640, Gen. Harrison was assaileI by
the envenomed tongue of slander, BRANDED
Il coward and denounced as a bad man, anC
the people took him 10 their arms and bore
him to the Executive Chair over his expert.
enced and accomplished competitor.
Inils4s, Zachary Taylor was denounced
in the same manne:-his accounts with the
Government through long years Of public
service, overhau!ed and audited over again
r by the political accountants and auditors.
In 1852, General Scott, soldier who ha:
served the Republic for more than forty
years in peace and war, of unsurpassed
ability, was arrai igned in the same manner
and for similar object. What was gainee
by these assaults upon Jackson. Harrison
Taylor, Scott! Iventure to say here to-day
that all these assaults upon these distin.
guished men, concerning their monetary
transactions with the government never
lost them the confidence or support of any
portion of the American people. Let the
American people believe these assaults tc
be unjust, mean, contemplate. Pass This
resolution, drag out of the departments the
bills, vouchers letters and papers between
Col. Fremont and the Government, garble
them, scatter them over the land, blast their
contents into the unwilling ear OF the coun-
try, and the people, with that sense of JUS
tice, that practical judgement which
distinguishes item, will pronounce it all
political persecution.
Yes, sir, this partisan scheme will bring
upon its aulhors-upon the men engaged in
its execution-no public confidence and re-
gard, but pubic censure and contempt, and
it will bring to Colonel Fremont the sympa-
thy which honest men ever give to the per-
secuted.
Col. Fremont was intrusted by his govern
ment with high and responsible duties
These duties were far distant from the seat
OF government-beyond the border of the
States-in the territories beyond the Father
OF Waters--in the Rocky Mountains-n
California.
Those high and responsible duties were
performed in manner that won the com.
mendati0n of the government, the approval
ot honorable Senators upon this floor-and
| the applause and n drnir,ti,n of rroo, C,l