Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-07-09
COLONEL J. e. FREMONT.
From Sartaim'S Maga-ine, of October 1885,

IFOVs A'Ht@tffS <-t|fe' " SctODeI LOW
PROFESSOR RHoADs.
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 tc 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
i new world far off over the wild waves of the
western sea, a 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
tiEOsc oI stopdr binb
were but triles. The overthrow Of Their oman
power, by the northern barbarians, sinks into
insignifcance, when its effects are contrasted
with those of the enunciation in the Dcclara-
tIon of American Independence, and the prac-
teal application in the Constitution of the e.
nited States, of the great truths of the broth
crhood and equality of man. And now, the
discovery Of the bright sands and rich rocks
of California, and the issue thence of golden
stream TO irrigate the nations, is destined to
wield a mighticr and far more permanent in
fuence than the impulse which raised France
to be for time mistress of Europe. And not
only were these events greater in power than
those with which have compared them, they
were also better in kind. On the one hand we
find train of woe and desolation; on the 9TH
ct, of happiness and prosperity. The great
ness of the old world was the handmade of ig-
norance and tyranny that of the new led to
civilization and liberty. Each great event is
personified in great man of corresponding
character. Alexander led Greece and Mace
don to conquest; Aleric extingushed the flick
ering light of Roman refinement; with Napo-
leon, France s'rose, reigncd and fell - Column
bus marked 4 pathway to new-found world !;
Washington guided and sustained the patriots
who consccrated 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
4 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 in January, 1913, and is consequent
ly at this time (lS50,) few months over thir-
ty-seven years of age. When he was but four
years old he was left an orphan By the death
OF his father, who, the name indicates, was
native of France. The direction Of his ed
ucasion, therefore, devolyed entirely upon his
mother, and his career in active life has shown
that she lacked neither inclination or ability
10 direct it Alright. Notwithstanding her limi-
ted means, she managed to support her son at
Chariesron College, where he distinguished
himself by his industry and upright deport-
ment. de graduated in 1880. Ads 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 ,rare in
,cumbent upon him as teacher, he still found
time TO attend TO those Of student; and y;tb
that indomitable energy and perseverance,
which have marked his whole career, he devo-
ted every leisure moment to perfecting him
self in the science Of civil engineering In
this pursuit, he was aided by the natural bent
of his mind and talents peculiarly adapted to
the subject. Having attracted the atte ntion
and secured the confidence and support Of men
OF influence, he obtained the situation Of as
sistant to Nicollet in the survey of the eoun-
try around the head waters Of the Mississippi.
In this work he was engaged about four years,
during the first halt Of the time in the aydu-