New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-13
FREMONT'S HUNDRED DAYS In
MISSOURI.
Speech OF HON. s. COLFA<
OF INDIANA,
IN REPLY TO Err. BLAIR OF MISSOURI,
In the House of Representatives,
March =. 1862.

Tie House being in the Committee of the Who'll
On the state of the Union, Mr. CoLfAx said; Mr
Chairman, did 10, intend at the opening of m.
friends remarks TO speak on this subject to-day
and then am but lily prepared to answer bis elab
crate srgument Of two hours in length. But an
sratifed that the House, my motion, extended hi
time, so that he could present the whole array o
charges st once.
While differed, as lie known to him aud man,
other members Of the House, with the Adlninstra
fion which assisted TO elect, in the supersednre o
Asior. General Fremont in tie department Of III
West; I desire, lest i might be misunderstood, Il
say at the outset, once and for ALL that no matte
what General the Administration may put up q pu
down, L shall sustain il with all my heart and sonl
mo strength aud mind, i'll every military moveuen
that it makes against the enemy. believe il to b'
pus duty to do 50. 1t is, under God, the only mean
by which we can put down this gigantic, satanic
conspiracy and rebellion. And although ] lsmen
che supegsedure Of General VINO lives to-day in tn
loyal hearts Of millions of the American people, tha
Gan male no difference in my earnest and cord!a
support Of the Administration.
pass over many remarks Of the gentleman from
Missouri, Mr. Blair, which am sure, be will, him.
self in lis cooler moments, regret. He las seen hi
70 mingle personalities with bis criticisms, and 10
Rpeak of gentleman, who holds pos ton az Major
General in the Army - tool. "a dupe, u designing
uan. cannot follow the gentleman here. The
subject is too grave 10 be thus discussed
There has been attachment between mysei
and the gentleman from Missouri almost siIce GU
hovhood and | shal. not suffer slngle remark II
sail srom uy lips W bich could wound hin or an,
friend of his or any member OF bls family. ~
sinply to vindics,e history, and 10 prove, from TN
records Of the day, that my friend from Missouri
has had he feelings ana judgment perverted, o
sperhsps / should RAJ her say lut Ienced by pfeIu
dice. He spoke ABOUT the " ido ators' OF IRE
mont. My friend has not USED The word h,unely
Those whom lie calls the idolato's OF Fremont ar
tie men who stand by him to-day, Just a. IN,
friend aid from the commencement VI his acquaint
sDce with him till the last Of August, 1851, up u
vbicl time he was bis warm, his devoted irerc
and admirer. He ought, from that long acquailt
snee 10 have known his mind, bis capacity, IN;
audgment his Will. In August lie was ms friend
warn, ana rue; IL Sc ptemOef lie wa hO'. All niy
crime is that contlnGe the sane illsnisnip That
In common with hus, had in August, and did nol
change with lin in September.
Mr. Chairman, men are nothing III this struggle.
They are but ciphers-the whole oil them. these
generals with all their epauett end sashes are but
She instruments by which the strong arm Of tie
country ia TO put down this rebellion. Since the Wal
broke out have, in my humble sphere and capacity
endeavored 10 preach the doctrine Of forbearance
and concord and unity, and have iDploied men Oh all
sides 10 cease depreclaing our geueras. have sAid
that when they 20 forth at the head OF the army
with their lives In their handt they are entitled
confidence and respect. When the Administration
supeneees them, well and good; lei them pa8s away,
unless. 30 far as, this afternoon yiDdlca;e TIE
pact, without saying what the Administration stal
90 m the future. say this as 10 Gen. Mcclellan
hs do about Gen. Fremont, and every other general
commanding. Whether the Administration YIELD q
the wishes Of hosts OF the people by giving Gen
Fremont another command, is no part OF my argu
nent to-day have no right TO dictate On this poi
aod, further than have already advisei shall say
nothing.
have this. also, to say about Gen. Fremont: d.
not take bin TO be perfect. l know that all men are
fible He is sometimes impulEive man. lie ha.
feelings like all of us who made Of flesh and bod
lfegret very much that he suffered this publication %
Be made, which the Chairman OF the joint Com
nlee on the conduct OF tie war objected 70 to-day
! wish that be had tiied his time a little longer
For Xix months he has been standing with closed
hps, and listening to the allegations against hiu
WITH rehcence which has commanded tie approba
hn not only Of his friends At home, bot OF thousand
elsewhere in the civilized world, waiting patiently
iof The hour OF his yindicatiOn. j wish be coul'
have waited some time longer. Bat think tina
something ought 10 be pardOned 20 man who hat
POISONED arrows hurled against him from every side
ed who hao been deposed from bis command unde
circumstances 30 painful and irving.
Without disparaging any other General l hav,
his also 10 say OF Gen. Fremont: he Is the only
haJor-GeDeral Of the United States Army who has
N this war gone out with bis troops away from hi
beadquarters-gone out over field and valley anf
mountain and plain and river He was the onl,
one. suppose the others are willing to DO il. Bu
while that record livos--snd it will live ia bi,torv
10 one will believe tie inimatiOns OF the eentlep,a,
rom Missouri that Fremont IL Il timid man. Tht
schooiboy nj the log schOol-house knows very wei
tl&t There II not particle Of tim.dty ABOUT the man
ne may not have been fitted for tie command O
we military department OF the West. 1 think h
va but whether he was or not, he il a brave an'
fearless man. He hes braved death in a Thousand
mfIns ana has written his name high up on the scrol
history a. crest decOvereT, as a great adyen
mr.r' you viii. lie has planted the stars an
Iipes ON inc highest point Of the Rocky Mountains
e has suffered pnyai ion and suffering and toll In hi
L u,e journeys. His cheek bas not blancbed in tt,
ttesence OF danger or Of death. And when he knew
a' ue SWORD Of Dsmocles was hanging over BIZ
W a single bar, he went forth with Ills army
panot Oh The enemy, 10 punish treason with tb,
/ 80 sho encamped With the advance guard, H.
80. " Win the rear, W IL usually tire custom oil
Sssooing generss. No, Sir, Gen. Fremont is no,
W"a,u' lie has no timdity.
II .nt BLAIR OF Missouri-My friend does M, st.te
j 'is, called Gen. Fremont b coward
v'"'lfAS-ins language that 10y friend used