Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-08-28
SPEECH OF HON. HENRY WILSON,
OF MASSACHUSETTS.

1
| partment to Report the Papers covering the
Accounts of Col John C. Fremont with the
! Government Delivered in the Senate, August
| IL, 1856.
| Mr. President The DAYS of this session are
rapidly passing. Business of the highest
Importance presses upon our consideration
Chairmen of leading committees charged with
measures of great public concern crowd for
ward to obtain the ear of the Senate. While
the Senate is thus engaged in the performance
| of it's high duties to the country. the senator
. from Pennsylvania, (Mr Bigler,) thrusts be-
fore us, this petty, miserable proposition, a
proposition unworthy moments attention of
honorable men in or out of the Senate
The senator from Pennsylvania, not content
with launching into the Senate this scheme,
which must have originated with some NOUS
ing politician engaged in the pursuit of petty
ends by petty means, but he presses its con-
sideration now in spite of the earnest remon-
strances of the Chairman of the Committee on
Finance Mr. Hunter), who is charged with
the care of the Civil and Diplomatic bill, and
| the Chairman of the Committee on the Pacific
Railroad { Mr.. Weller), who wishes to call the
! Senate to the consideration of that great mea-
sure to unite the Atlantic and Pacific shores
of the republic.
But the Civil and Diplomatic bill, the Paci-
| fic Railroad BILL and other measures must be
thrust aside by the senator from Pennsylvania,
| that the Senate may consider this proposition
by which certain political schemers hope to
eIicite something out of which they can manu-
facture ISLANDERS against brave man, who has
served his country with eminent ability in peace
and in war.
The senator from Pennsylvania cannot sup
pose that this proposition will pass this body
without, at least, a passing notice. He takes
the responsibility, he chooses to press it, and [
shall take at least few moments of the time
of the Senate to characterize the proposition
as think it deserves.
Does the senator from Pennsylvania expect
| to win any laurels by thrusting this proposition
into the Senate? Does he suppose the gene
rous people of this country will applaud this
attempt to wound the sensibilties and defame
the character of one who has Won q brilliant
name in the history of the republic-one whose
explorations and scientific labors have confer
| red upon our country honor and renown among
all civilized nations Does he expect to win
support for his favorite candidate for the Pres
idency by thrusting into the Senate this wretch
ed proposition
| Sir, this is small game If that senator
hopes to win popular confidence and applause
| If he hopes to turn back the tide of popular
favor that is bearing John {. Fremont to the
Executive chair by this resolution which |
here pronounce-which honorable men in and
out of the Senate will pronounce, and which
the country will pronounce, small and mean
he will find himself sadly mistaken. Wherev-
er this proposition goes, high-minded men will
treat it with dCriSiOn ScOrn and contempt =
and no little of that deriSon, scOrn and con-
tempt will be visited upon the men who resort
to snch devices TO effect political results. |
would not stoop to such warfare as this
If it was aimed at James Buchanan | would
spurn it from me.
This is not the first timc Mr. President,
that the shafts of political malignity have been
hurled at men who have served the republic,
and it is not the first time the Senate has been
called upon to grope among the archives Of
the government to discover some account or
the records of some account between the 60
vernment and men who have beeu entrusted
with public funds. out of which something
would be distorted for partzan ends.
In 1924 Andrew Jackson was assaed for
his military deeds. The people, unmindful of
these assaults, bore him proudly to the Presi-
dental chair, over one of the purest, ablest
and most incorruptibe patriots that ever grac-
ed the councils of the republic. In 1910, Gen.
Harrison was assailed by the envenomed tongue
of slander, branded as a coward and denounc-
ed as a corrupt man, and the people took him
in their arms and bore him to the Executive
chair over his experienced and accomplished
competitor.
In lS4S Zachery Taylor and the venerable
senator from Michigan (Gen. Cass) were both
denounced in the same manner-thcir accounts
with the government through long years of
public service Overhauled and audited over
again by the political accountants and auditors.
In 1852 Gen Scott q soldier who has scrv-
ed the republic for more than forty years in
peace and war with unsurpassed ability, was
arraigned in the same manner and for similar
object.
What was gained by these assaults upon
Jackson, Harrison, Taylor, Cass, Scott |
venture to say here, to-day that all those as
saults upon these distinguished men concern
ing their monetary transactions with the 60
vernment, never lost them the confidence or
support of any portion of the American peo-
Pile Sir, the American people believed these
assaults to be unjust, mean, contemplate. Pass
this resolution, drag out of the departments
the bills, vouchers, letters and papers between
Col. Fremont and the goyernment-garble
them, scatter them over the land, blurt their
contents into the unwilling ear of the country,
and the people, with that sense of justice, that
practical judgment which distinguishes them,
will prononce it all political persecution.
Yes, sir this partisan scheme will bring up
on its authors, upon the men engaged in its
execution, not public confidence and regard,
but public censure and contempt and it will
bring to Col Fremont the sympathy which
honest men ever give to the prosecuted.
Col Fremont was entrusted by his govern
ment with high and responsible duties. Those