Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-07-15
senator BigIsr's speech Ina Independence
square, Phiiadelphia, July 4th, 1859.

ing extracts from the speech OF this eminent
gentleman.
Mr.. Bger was welcomed to the stand by
demonstrations of jealous applause, and COM
menced his address by saying that the embar-
rassment he had always felt in appearing before
Philadelphia audience, because Of their well
known intelligence and liberal education, had
been heightened by the delivery OF the ornate,
elegant and impressive Grafton just pronounced
by Mr. Dougherty; production which, he said
would do credit to the ablest of our public men.
$50 much for the Democratic, now for the
other side And hear l am at fault, for am
not certain that can call to mind the frightful
array of candidates and the isms they represent.
First, then, is Col. Fremont and Mr.. Dayton,
presenting sectional or Black Republication
next stands Willard Fillmore, administrator
debonos non of the deceased Wing party, with
Andrew jackson Doneson for Vice President,
representing National Know-nothingism then
comes Commodore Stockton and Kenneth
Rayner the embodiment Of refractory Ameri-
cansm, and last, but not least, stands Gerrett
Smith and Mr.. McFarlane, disciples OF intensi-
fed Abotionism. Then there is Maine-lawsm,
Spirtuasm, Womans-righ and other isms
to be equally apportioned. Differing as to many
things, these parties and elements unite in one
common bond Of hostility to the Democracy.
Dissimilar in faith and form they readily frater-
nize on the platform of place and power. You
mistake my purpose, however, very much fellow
citizens, if you suppose that intend to dissect
this frghtiul army of candidates and their ap-
pearances. shall look after Col. Fremont
briefly, and he only; Gas for Mr.. Fillmore, it is
evident that he has no available party in this
r. L. H. Wail,, m, Re-.
publican candidate: who can tell me why he
was nominated. have looked in vain for
one good reason. Is he statesman? What
are, and what have been his views on great
questions of domestic or foreign policy? What
great measure did he ever propose? What
views on political economy has he given to the
world? When and where did he study the
science of Government? Where is his record2
Where can we find the evidence that he is fit to
be successor to George Washington? What
has he done for the nation to give him claim to
this worldwide distinction? What act of his life
entities him to so large share of public conf
dence? What battles has he fought and victories
won? son what meat doth this our Caesar feed,
that he has grown so greats' Can his friends
answer? They may have hidden reasons, but it
is time they were developed. Perhaps they
sought hero without scars and a statesman
without record. Perhaps they sought an empty
vessel in which to deposit all the isms. Perhaps
the Republican party, just starting out on geo.
graphical principles, not certain what route to
take, nor where to go, have concluded that they
would need an engineer-that as they DO not 60
by principles they had better 90 by the compass
And having heard that Col Fremont had traced
the Sinuositus of the sides and scaled the
heights of the Rocky Mountains, and found a
humble bee wind gap range, he is Just the
man for the emergency. 1t is true that Col. Z.
did cross these mountains under the patronage,
protection and pay of the Gevernment, but 1t is
equally true that other men did the same thing
on their own responsibility; and they do not
ask to be President Kit Carson was immense
in this way aud yet he is not even out for Vice
President. 1t is also true that Col. +. performed
certain brilliant feats in California about the
time Of its acquisition, for which he was court
marshaled and found guilty on every count; it
also appears that he represented that State in
the United States Senate for brief period, and
was relieved from further service, at the next
election, by almost common consent. But these
things furnish reasons for making him President
But be the reasons what they may, shall miss
my guess If his friends be not in the position OF
the Western traveller, in the choice OF bad roads,
wishing they had taken another, before they get
to The end of the race; and shall miss it still
further if the Colonel does not find it more diff
one over the Rocky Mountains. | mean no
unkindness to Col. Fremont. He is doubtless
very good man in his way, and quite eminent
in his science, but mathematics is not the only
qualification for the Presidency. The science
of Government is different and far more
difficult study 1t would be no more absurd to
employ blacksmith to make gold watch or
a lawyer to expound the Gospel, than to select
an engineer to act as Chief Magistrate. But
seriously, gentlemen, is there one man in this
vast assembly who can look another in the face,
and say that Col. Fremont is the man who should
have the direction of National affairs at this
critical juncture, in times of foreign and do
nestle trouble--I do not believe any man will
say this The idea is absurd.
But object TO Mr.. Fremont on other grounds.
He has been presented and is supported as a
sectional candidate. He was nominated by the
Northern and Eastern States and not one
paper or public man, so far as my knowledge
goes, has come out for him in the South. In
form and in spirit, therefore, his nomination
was sectional i am no alarmist, for have
great confidence in the sober judgement Of the
people, but / cannot close my eyes to the DANCE
rous tendencies Typographical parties. From
their very nature they must beget discomfort
and suggest separation. 1t is the first time
that o candidate of respectable strength has
been presented on sectional ideas. Should he
be elected, he will be the President OF section
and the benefactor Of faction. He cannot
represent truly the whole nation. He will be
under obligations to one section only. The
savehodng States can have no part or lot in
bis administration. His advisers will be from
one section. The hoqors and emoluments OF
the government would be conferred upon that
section, and the South be excluded 1t has
been the usage Of parties to claim the patronage
Cor bair fria II wi mr. ba n
Col F. is the man to rise above the rule. But
the whole idea is wrong, it is in conflict with the
genius Of our institutions which is intended
equality for all the States. II is at variance
with the duties to be performed and the obiga-
tions to be assumed. The certain tendencies
being to ALLEVIATE the feelings of the people OF
one section from those OF the other, and to