Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-08-02
MISCELLANY.
WHAT SORT OF A MAN is COL.
FREMONT
fFrom Ia illustratel.l ]

lfrom Life illustrated.
The story of Col Fremont's explorations
and exploits, in the Far West, thousands are
now reading with view to ascertain how the
hero OF that story will be likely to compori
himself when he is seated in the presidential
chair. Is he the man for the crisis Has he
the mind to grasp the interests Of the whole
country Has he the fruness to resist the Sc
ducions Of power and place Does he know
men Can he be made the tool Of Clique OF
party Could he rise superior TO the desire OF
reelection, and effect a reduction of the pat
ronage of the president by taking as many OF
the Offices as possible out Of politics 1t is
not much that any man can do, in such place,
in the paltry term Of four years. Will Col.
Fremont do what he can toward beginning the
regeneration of the Government With such
questions in mind, the conscientious voter sits
down TO read the Life Of John G Fremont
lie opens the book with the feeling OF a per-
son about TO become personally acquainted with
man of whom he has received highly favora-
Bile impressions. Il is much in a mans favor
that he should have chosen such a career as
that of Fremont. The task OF the present
generation Of Americans is to prepare America
for greatness, by rendering its whole surface
known and inhabituble and, therefore, at pres
ent, no man serves his country better than he
who brings learning, intelligence, and daring
to the work Of rendering available the material
resources Of the country. The men who make
Panama Railroads, Oceanic Telegraphs, and
Hoosic Tunnels, the men who lead the way to
untrodden regions, who discover lakes large
enough for the navies Of the world to maneu.
vre in, and map DOT the domain Of future States
and groups Of States, are the warriors aud con
qnerers of this age and country. The time
will come when the work of that kind will
have been done, and the strong men will have
other tasks. Bot at present it is the George
Steers, the George Laws, the Col. Fremonts
who "yan the age What an advance upon
the time when war-the Art of Destroying -
was the only path to great renown and splendid
fortune. No, that Col, Fremont has not done
his share Of fighting, too. To his yalor and
conduct we owe the possession Of California
But his main distinction is that of an explorer
and discoverer--a Pathfinder Of Empire
The Life Of Fremont" Published by Messr;
Ticknor aud Fields, was prepared, it is said
by Mr.. Wentworth upham, one of the writere
of Sparks "Amercan Biography" and for,
mery member of Congress. 1t is made VI
OF extracts from Col. Fremoni's "Repons ant
Diaries" with only enough Of explanation BY
The editor to connect The extracts and render
them Ineligible. This was obviously the bes
plan. The result is volume of more than the
interest of romance, and one which makes
complete revelation Of The hero's character. |.
familiar journals aud letters, written by tn,
campfire after the adventures of the day, ant
written many of them for the eye of affection
alone, there can be no concealment or misrep
reseniation. They bear the unmistakabe i'm
press of truth, and from them we infer tina
Col. Fremont possesses the following traits o
character;
lie is a man of Of remarkable decision an
frmness Of purpose. We select few exam
pies. On his very FIRST journey, and in the frs
stage of it, he gave a signal proof of his ca
pacily to adhere to purpose, in spite Of
concurrence of unexpected obstacles, and agains
the opposing opinions Of friends and foes. Hi
party had reached Fort Laramie, which wa
then the dividing post between the safe and tn