Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-06-26

it has done since old Father ADAM walked up
one bright, sunny morning, and found HIM
self its sole lord and possessor.
Text and Context.
The Madison Tribune says that "Col. FREE
MONT was discovered to be suitable candid
ate for the Presidency on or about the first
of April last, by HORACE GREELEY, of the n.
Y. Tribune"
This statement is correct and it is one of
the wonders Of the day that all the sterling
and well tried qualities now attributed to the
Spectator in "Woolly Horses" should have
so long escaped the keen scent of such a
man as HORACE GREELEY. 1t is stranger
still that the brief letter of Fremont to
"Gov." ROBINSON, endorsing the Topeka
farce and advocating the immediate admis-
sion of Kansas into the Union under Con-
stitution sanctioned and ratified by vote Of
only 719 out of population of voters
amounting to ten times that number, should
have been the means-of discovery so oppor-
tune and momentous. That letter must nave
been not only master stroke of statesman
ship of itself, but it must also have possessed
the unusual merit of imparting a certain
stateliness and granduer to previous acts in
the life of the humble explorer, which had
been looked upon as being quite within the
range of an ordinary capacity. When Col.
Fremont was in the u. s. Senate he gave
no evidence of that peculiar fitness for high
and responsible political stations which GREE
LEY and those who look through the same
spectacles have so suddenly and singularly
discovered. AS a field for the display of tai
emit and sound craftsmanship, no body in the
world presents advantages equal to those of
the U. S. Senate. 1t was there that such
men as WEBSTER, CLAY, CALHOUN, McDUF-
FIE, CAss, BENTON and BUCHANAN. achieved
the greatness which history has awarded to
them, and which is a source of just pride to
their common country. To the records of
that body do we look for evidences of those
qualifications that determine, with remarla-
bic precision, the fitness of its members for
the post of Chief Magistrate of the Republic.
By this, we do not mean to affirm that it is
only in the halls Of the Senate that those
qualifications are developed. They may be
exhibited, in striking degree, in other
spheres Of public life, as in the case Of Gen.
JACKSON. But we do mean to say that, if
the man who is honored with a seat in that
body, fails to leave behind him any evidences
that should mark him as man of enlarged
and statesmanlike views-as man who has
the capacity to originate and the will to ex-
eeute measures that are identified with the
peace, progress and prosperity of the country
we are safe in coming to the conclusion
that it is because of total lack of all the
requisites of great man, in any sense of the
word, and not from any result Of mere acct
dent.
Col. Fremont was for two years member
Of that body, where talent, tact and every
thing that enters into the composition of the
true statesman has such an unbounded scope
for display. Two years was he U. S. Sena
tor, and yet so insignificant part did he play
in the current history of that body, so little
did he interest himself in its proceedings
that the State which he represented nigh
have dispensed with his services altogether
and been not one whit the lesser by il. Prob
ably TO man ever filed the position for tn
same length Of time, who achieved less O
prominence or notoriety than did Col. Fac
MONT. Short as the time has been, we ven
ture to say that not one man in ten, unles
the fact were called up by the public jour
mails, would now have any distinct recollec
ton of Col. FREMONT, as u. S. Senator frOl
California.
As an explorer of the wilderness region
beyond the Rocky Mountains, Col FREMoN
deserves great credit; and for one, we are b,
no means, disposed To withhold it. Tha
credit has been cheerfully awarded by al
men of all parties and all classes. We al
not willing to acknowledge that the countr
- indebted TO the extent of single iota, Il
|
He has received the full measure of hone
to which his services are justly entitled
Believing That the account is fully square
between MIN and the people, we by no meal
: feel disposed to abate one jot or one title,
) our light to speak of ais qualifications for Il
Presidency, in open, plain and unmistakeab
terms. The Black Republicans have open
denounced the Democracy for four mort
: long years, for setting aside the strong, alb
aud tried men Of the party, and elevating
the highest and most responsible station
q in the known world, such man as FRANZ
d LIN PIERCE, of New Hampshire; yet, tod;
: do we see them snubbing such men as Jud.
Q MCLEAN with tho brusqueness of a leader
= the swell mob, and singing peans to m;
y who, in every acknowledged requisite for
: successful discharge of the duties of Il
+ Office of President OF these United Stat,
is cannot come within hailing distance of o
/ present observation-disclosures PIERCE. =
Is hold up such a small star in the polite
II armament as one that is to eclipse q
e brightness of one whose fame is q part of /
he country's dearest heritage, is too ludico
= to excite serious remark. JAMES BUcHA
T. AN and JOHN G. FREMoNT-TRrToN al
TX the MrNNow.