Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-09


BY PROFESSOR gHoADs.
Since the mission of Him who came into the
world to suffer that mankind might find re-
demption, the three greatest events that have
occurred, are connected with the rise and pro-
gress of our own happy country the discov-
cry of America, the American Revolution and
the establishment of the American empire on
the coast Of the Pacific Ocean the last destin-
ed to be, in its effects, By no means the least
important of the three.
When the announcement was made to the as
tonished nations of Europe of the existence Of
a new world far Off over the wild waves Of the
western sea, new principle introduced into
the general mind new impulse, which chang
ed entirely the industrial relations and habits
OF the people, and produced effects, even upon
the extent and permanency Of empires, to which
those of the conquests of Macedonia andGreece
were but trifes. The overthrow of theRoman
power, by the northern barhsrians, sinks into
insigniicance, when its effects are contrasted
with those of the enunciatiou in the Declara-
tion OF American Independence, and the prac-
tical application in the Constitution of the U
nited States, of the great truths of the broth
erhood and equality ef man. And now, the
discovery of the bright sands and rich rocks
of California, and the issue thence of golden
stream to irrigats the nations, is destined to
WELD mightier and far more permanent in
fuencc thar the impulse which raised E':enee
to be for time mistress OF Europe. And not
only were these events greater in power than
those with which have compared them, they
- n. "a.
find a train of woe and desolation; on .l.e 9TH
cr, of happiness and prosperity. The great
ness of the old world was the handmade of ig-
aorance and tyranny that Of the new led 10
civilization and liberty. Each great event is
personifed in great man Of corresponding
character. Alexander led Greece and Mace
don TO conquest; Aleric extinguished the flick
ering light Of Roman refinement; with Napo-
leon, France '.zose, reigned and fell - Colun-
bus marked a pathway to a new-found world
Washington guided and sustained the patriots
who consecrated that world TO the advance
ment OF human rights and human welfare !;
and Fremont lifted the veil which, since time
first began, had hidden from view the real Ell
Dorado ] purpose to introduce to the reader
a short sketch of the life of the latter; the
others belong to past time, and history has
made up its record of their deeds.
JouS CHARLES Fremont was born in South
Carolina ia January, 1918, and is consequent
ly at this time (lo50,) few months over thir-
ty-seven years of age. When he was but fonr
wears old he was left an orphan by the death
of his father, who, as the name indicates, was
A native Of France. Tho direction Of his ed
ucation, therefore, devolyed entirely upon his
mother, and his career in active life has shown
that she lacked neither inclination or ability
to direct it Alright. Notwithstanding her iimi-
ted means, she managed to support her son at
Charlesron College, where he distinguished
himself by his industry and upright deport-
ment. He graduated in 1880. About this time
he became teacher OF Mathematics, and
found means, not only for his own support, but
also to contribute to that Of his mother and
her family. While discharging faithfully the
arduous and responsible duties which were IN
cumbcnt upon him as teacher, he still found
time to attend to those of a student; ana with
that indomitable energy and perseverance,
which have marked his whole career, he devo-
ted every leisure moment 10 perfecting HIM
self in the science Of civil engineering. In
this pursuit, he was aided by the natural Denl
OF his mind and talents peculiarly adapted 10
the subject Having attracted the ate ntion
and secured the confidence and support OIL men
of influence, he obtained the situation OF as
sistant to Nicollst in the survey OF the coun-
Try around the head waters of the MISSISSIPPI
In this work he was engaged about four years.
during the hrs. half OF the time in the aIdu-