True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-08-06
WHAT SORT OF A MAN IS COL.
b. EREM0NT2 ---

We publish the following sketch OF Col.
Fremont, taken from the Life Illustrated
believing that it will be read with interest Z
"The story Of Col. Fremont's explo-
rations and exploits, in the Far West,
thousands are now reading with a view to
ascertain how the hero of that story will
be likely to comport himself when he is
seated in the presidential chair. Is he the
man for the crises I! Has he the mind to
grasp the interests Of the whole country !
Has he The frmness to resist the seduc-
tions of power and place! Does he
know men ! Can he be made the tool Of
clique or party! Could he rise superior
to the desire Of reelection. and effect a
reduction of the patronage Of the presi-
dent by taking as many Of the offices as
possible out of politics I 1t is not much
that any man can do, in such lace, in
the paltry term Of four years. Will Col.
Fremont do what he can toward begin
ming the regeneration Of the government !!
With such questions in mind, the consci-
entious voters sits down to read the Life
of John G Fremont.
He opens the book with the feeling Of
person about 10 become personally dc.
quainted with man Of whom he has re-
ceived highly favorable impressions. 1t
is much in a mans favor that he should
have chosen such career as that of Fre-
mont. The task of the present genera.
tion of Americans is to prepare America
for greatness, by rendering its whole sur
face known and irhabitable and, there.
fore, at present, no man serves his coun.
try better than he who brings learning,
intelligence, and daring TO the work Of
rendering available The material esources
of the country. The men who make
Panama Railroads, Oceanic Telegraphs,
and Hooslac Tunnels, the men who lead
the way to untrodden regions, who dis
cover lakes large enough for the navies Of
the world TO maneuver in. and map out
the domain Of futurs States and groups Of
States, are the warriors and conquerOrs
of his age and county. The time will
come when the work of that kind will
have been done, and the strong men will
have other tasks. But at present it i:
the George Steers the George Laws, the
Col. Fremouts who Evan the age.
What an advance upon the time wher
war-the Art of Destroy ing-was the on
ly path 10 great renown and splendid for
tune. Not that l'ol. Fremont has moi
done his share Of fighting. TOO. 10 his
vaIor and conduct we owe the possession
California, But his main distinction is
that of an explorer and discoyer-a Path
finder of Empire!
The Life Of Fremont" published BY
Messrs Iicknor and Fields. was prepar
ed, it is said; by Mr. Wentworth Up am
one of the writers of Sparks American
Biography" and formerly of Congress
1t is made up of extracts from Col Ere
mont's "Reports and Diaries" with only
enough of explanation by The editor Il
conduct the extracts and render hem in
telligibe. This was obviously the bes
plan. The result is q volume Of moi
than the interest of a romance, and on
which makes complete revelation of tn
bero's characte.. In familiar journal
and letters, written by the campfire al
ter the adventures Of the day, and write
many Of item for the eye Of affectio
alone, there can be 40 concealment O
misrepresentation. They bear the ur
mistakable impress of ruth. and fror
them we infer that Col. Fremont posses
ses the following traits Of character:
He is . man of remarkable decisio
and frmness Of purpose. We select
few examples. On his very first journey
and in the first stage of it, he gave sit
nal proof of his capacity to adhere to
purpose, in spite of concurrence of Vi
expected obstacles, and against the OF
posing opinions Of friends and foes. H
party had reached Fort Laramie, whic
was then the dividing post between III
safe and the dangerous regions. He W:
there informed that the country beyon
was swarming with exasperated Indians
tina. all the great tribes were in arm
| that oU-erAl s."nli s--ties of wnl1o NJ.
t had been surprised and killed, that thel
was moi the smallest chance Of a compar
Of thirty or forty men escaping massacr
} These tidngS were confirmed by par
] which had been attacked near the lol
! and by the Indians who still pretendt
|: to be friendly. Every body said, Tu
: back !; the commander OF the forts, Il
] trappers and hunters, the men Of Fr
mont's own party. Even Kit Cara
s thoughtthe enterprise desperate, and ma,
! his will which greatly increased the Il
o ror Of the men. The Indians sent deleg
: tions to Fremont ssyiug that they cou
!, not send guides with him, nor wou
8 they be responsible for his safety if
n should 60 forward. To his own M
n Col. Fremont simply said, in subs tanc'
n LET those 'Oho prefer il return !; 4 q
going ahead, to eTecufe the task toi
6 ,chick the gOUernmentofmy country b
y intrGsted me- Only one man shru
Ie from the enterprise. 70 the lying
dians the commander made speec
70 which showed well the quality Of
II man, and bis talent for command.
,f "We have thrown away our bodies
Of exclaimed Fremont toward the close
ID this affective ora,ion, !" and will not "
y, back. When you told US that "
10 young men would Kill US, you did
Of know that our hearts were strong, q
you did not sss u, rihss which
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