The New York herald., 1862-03-08

as 10 ,he administration OF affairs In his oeparth.'
wnich he (Gen Fremont) did at subsequent peiiou.
General Fremont again appeared before the committee
ana was questioned. Wher he was about 10 leave 'nc
room he requested 10 give information To any
body outside Of what he hal stated to the committed
lie (Mr Gooch) understood General Fremont 70 acqui
escc m The request as he had in all Others made oy he
committee He (Mr Gooch only wished TO add that the
pub caion made without the knowledge anu against
the consent OF the committee.
Mr.. BBAR-Was II all publishedY
Mr.. GoocH-His (Gon Freinont's) statement and docu
ents and not the portion in response to the inquiries of
the committee
bIr BLAIR said Gen. Fremont's statement was as ex-
traordinary the manner in which found its into
print II was an apology Cor disaster and defeat and
ineeniousy the suppression Of important facts ad sug
gestons of others which existed. In this he
shows he is better apoogist for defeat than General
to achieve victories Mr.. Blair proceeded to speak
OF his carly friendship for Fremont. lie now had
no private griefs. And IL only for the
reason that Fremont was found to be incompetent
Tor his position that he recommended his removal
ne had acted from considerations Of public duty lie
then spoke as longh OF the disasters al Springfield and
Iexing.on 70 show that these were attributable to
fremonts incompctency. Those by whom he sur
rounded himself had settled themselves down upon
Ike obscene birds of prey No mon have bad chac-
ter as th' SO who are Fremont's fnnars or course
there honorable exceptions Nogreater slander
uttered by any than that at tho me Fremont went
10 ~, LOUIS was rebcous city Tho Declaration OF
henslun OF imag nary danger. Mr. Blair also examined
freinonts contracts and other transactions He spoke
or ABOUT two hours the time having, by unanimous con-
sent been extended
Mr. CoFAx (rop) Of nd-I did not intend to reply at
Tn time, and am therefore, III prepared to answer the
elaborate charges made against General Fremont by the
geteman from Missouri While diier with him IN re.
gard to tho supesourc of Fremont IN the command Of
tie Department of the Northwest wish to bo distinctly
understood to say that 10 mator who Is in command,
Isustan that General, with all my heart and soul and
strength and mind, who acts most efecually and EN-
cicntly against the enemy believe 1t my duty to do
for this under God our only hopo OF putting down
this gigantic and Satanic rebellion. But must say that
deeply regret that tho gentleman should have INDUCED
in the remarks ho did, in debating grave question ike
this; that such occasion he should have ming cd
personalities and charges which would be better in
dulged in on some more fitting arena. l VIII not
touch upon the opening OF tho remarks Of the gentleman
with regard his his family previous relations
with General Fremont for am here TO speak in vindca
on history the fair record of the present day and
to prove that my friends foelings and Judgment arc
perverted by preiudiccs. The gentleman opposite bad
been the friend General Fremont up to the latter end
Of August Up to that time he r. Blar) the warm
and devoted friend tho champion and admirer Of Gene
by him. From the timo tho war broke out tried, in
humble sphere to sustain confidence in our Generals
ondeavored to preach forbearance and unity impor
cd men to deprccating Generals in the field
l felt that when they went forth tho
OF the country rested on them that they haa
the lives Of brave soldiers their hands,
and that they should be supported. Whenever the ad
mnistratoL superseded thcm well and good. Let them
CO. With regard to the charges to-day reiterated on this
floor against General Fremont will first say that do
claim for General Fremont the character Of perfect
man. AS all fallible, so he had his faults. He
impulsive and impetuous man. But regret that
ho published the statement or defence he did. But
General Fremont must have concluded that he had al.
ready abided his time long enough. After six months,
the whip and spur and lash Of bowling enemes ho
hold back with anabandonment ofsof and retcence
which has commanded the admiration OF friends and the
approval Of the civilized world waited patiently his
dcaton since the day he was deposed from his command
to the present Now, without disparagng others say
that he is the only major general in the United States
army who has gone with his troops away from hoadquar
ters in pursuit Of the enemy performing long marches,
fordng rivers hating till ne had Overaken and
brought the foe bay Others no doubt , were willing
only instance at the time OF this determination and
courage Of General Fremont. And now say that no
man believe the aspcrsion ventured upon by the
gentleman from Missouri, that General Fremont Is
tmid Every schoolboy In the country knows tho
history Of the man. and that history dsposes Of that
aspersion. Whether, General he lifted for the
command Of the Western Department or not he brave
and fearless man. man who has met death in various
FORMS and encountered perils in every shape man
who has written his name the page Of history as
great Observation-Disclosures, If you WILL who has
raised the Stars and Stripes distant SOIL through pr
walton and toll and suffering, to the improvement OF
and the glory OF his country Last Of ALL
while he knew the sword Of Damocles suspended
his head by single hair he went with his army
pursuit Of tho enemies Of the country leading tho al.
person. not bringingup the rear is customary
with Generals in command No. sir; General Fremont is
no coward, but brave and fearless With regard
TO charge about tho contracts desiring be frank
say that do not approve Of the contracts made by
Missouri; but in making these contracts, it must be
supposed that he guided by the opinion Of tho head
engineer Of the department with regard TO tho price.
But his outlay In this respect was mprovident and
travagan have only to express tho hope that the
penditures of the public money In other departments
have been managed with scrupulous economy We all
know the charge brought against him byAutant Gene.
raj Thomas that the horses purchased by him ring
boned aud spawned, &c. Now, whom came to Washing
ton foand that there were fourteen hundred horses
purchased the Army Of tho Potomac condemned and
not paper in the country had word TO say about it,
but because few horses were condemned in Fremont
command all sorts Of charges brought against him.
Tho gentleman from Missouri had beon very eulogisc of
st. Louis its patriotism &c. Now, wish could believe
all he said favor indeed, bolieve with him. that
the great bulk Of people firmly believe
that the wealth and capital aud cal influence OF ST.
Louis strongly on the sdo OF secession since
General alleck took command OF that department They
held election in that city for Chamber Of Commerce.
and what was called the fsccesson cket was elected
by large majority in the face cven of the Major Gcno-
raj OF the Unitod States Commanding In speaking Of the
sentiments which actuatod rcn OF the people of that
city, speak Of its wealth and capital as being strongly
the side OF secession; and strongly this feeling
manifested that General Haleck compelled the Chamber
OF Commerce to take the oath Of allegiance. know St.
Louis is loyal of the strongest proofs Of that is
found in the fact that when their deposed General came
back he back degraded aud dcposcd from his
command, without power or place, they gathered round
him in tons of thousands to welcome him. | take
that a strong proof OF thor loyalty Tho gentleman
r. Dlair) says that up 10 the time Of the death Of
Lyon lie had been q warm friend Of Fremont. Now the
that Lyons death occurred on tho 10th Of August,
and Is that the gcn,cmans friendship continued
Tor Fremont till after ths-continucd for him
whom he has since arragned as guilty criminal one
whose skirts stained with the blood of that brave
oicer-aTragrs HIM now a crime, which, IL guilty ho
must be guilty OF murder, IL ho General Fromonl had
died carly in August 1t IS not Til september that the
gentleman from Missouri considers Fremont guilty, bo-
cause for twonty days after he did not accuse
him Of tho crime Mr. Colfax quoted several
despatches from General scoieid Harding, and
General Lyon himself, to show the impossibiity Of
reinforcing Lyon, even before tho withdrawal OF the
large drafts Of troops from tho Southwest for the protec.
ton OF Washington, and continued II undor. there
the most adverse circumstances that Fre-
mont took command at st. Louis and II for raising
army protect the Un.on and TO put down reelon
that has been condemned from end OF the
TO the ohsr Tho gentleman opposite declared here that
Cairo did not noed renforccments but say II did Ere.
mont had at this time few regiments thrco Of three
Of three months who had not yet any
pay, and who would not ro-enlis but were cof,se-
qucnce Of neglect determined to abandon the service
Now submit to this House, and to thecountry tho con.
sdcaton OF the two points to DO reinforced one wasat
the end OF wagon road from whonce Lyon could
have rcreatcd II he could not maintain himself other
was at the mouth Of tho Ohio, which commanded the
Mississippi and the Missourrv at Cairo the furthest
point south hen had In possession II was then in
great danger Of being wrcsted from and rebel COVER
and leaders had sent down troops to seize for
scccssioniss Now, Gen. Fremont could only reinforce
-.