Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-26
Tho Blnirs nod Fremont


Whether there are such things as special
providences or not, there are now and then,
in the course of human events, condolences
which look like the working of law of
compensstions higher and more accurate
than any rule of mere human fabrication.
The events OF the Blair Fremont imbroglio
bring up, in the minds of those who were
Conversant with the interior workings of our
party affairs of five years ago, reflections
which, if they are not calculated to instruct,
are not without their elements of interest.
Gentlemen who took share in the primary
Crganization of the Republican party may
remember with what feelings of surprise
tley received the information that Colonel
Fremont, then only known as an explorer of
certain wild territories on this continent, and
as an adventurer in certain military pro-
Ceedings of doubtful propriety in California,
was the only man that could be found capa-
BE to lead the new party to victory, and
thus save the country.
The discovery of this fact was due, and
perhaps exclusively due, to the Blair family.
OF all the men in the United States who had
attained any prominence or notoriety what
ever, there was not one who had been less
identified with the events which brought the
Republican party into existence; none who
was less likely to occur TO those of whom the
party was composed as person peculiarly
fitted to represent its principles or the ends
it tproposed to secure, than Colonel Fremont.
Nobody knew him personally. There was
no popular knowledge Of his qualities; yet
by those who had skill in observing the
workings of party machinery, from the
moment bis name was mentioned, it was
seen that the arrangements were ali perfected
to secure his nomination to the Presidency.
General Fremont was, in fact, invented by
the Blair family aud by them manufactured
What the materials were of which he was
made nobody knew, and there are not many
now who are not as ignorant as they were
then. He rose to answer a Blair purpose;
aud wss played off to serve the ends of q
Blair ambition. Had he been elected, he
would either have been a puppet in the
hands Of the Blsirs, to be made to dance
to their tuue, or the quarrel which has now
arisen would then have broken out and the
potter and the vessel would have been al
log2erheads.
We felt some interest then in the question
before the American people, and some desire
TO see that question fully met in the forma
zion of truly Republican party, and in tn
nomination of a man who should represen
the dominant idea. We saw Republicanisn
rs q sentiment abandoned before the brit
of the party, and man who represented
nothing elevated, through the schemes o
ambitious men, to its chief candidacy, simply
because, in their opinion, being entirely o.
their own creation, he would answer their
purposes better than another.
Colonel Fremont was not elected; but the
prominence which he then gained was the
stepping-stone to his present appointment
TO gain which he probably had the influence
of the Blair family; and there is, we con-
tess, some little satisfaction in witnessing
the rebellion of the idol against its makers
in their efforts TO pull down the refractory
image, and in the hope that in its ruin il
will fall upon and crush its mischievous in.
ventors. If all these things are accom-
plished it will be presumption not to admi
that, upon the whole, the thing has WORKED
well, and the law of compensations has vim
GiCated its own efficiency.