National Republican., 1884-04-07
Gen. John G. Fremont.

tho retired list. No juster act over pasted
congress, and If IL should become a law
Americans can point to IL as one evidence at
least that republics though they may bo for
getful, are not wholly ungrateful.
Tho career Of Gen. Fremont hNs been at
once picturesque and useful, full of romance
and adventure, yet productive of immense
practical results, and yielding to his country
fruitage of incalculable value. The stu
pendous events of our civil war and the
wonderfully rapid growth of the country
since have partially obscured previous
passages in our national history which,
at tho time of their occurrence,
attracted the attention of the civilized world
and were pregnant with momentous conse.
quonces Among these were the great ex-
ploring expeditions of Gen. Fremont during
the years 1s42 to 1853, which opened up tho
heart of the continent, disclosed the hidden
wealth of an undiscovered empire, unlocked
the impenetrable regions Of the Rocky noun
tains, blased the way for the Pacific railroad,
and led directly to the annexation of Cali
fornia to the United States. There were five
of those expeditions, the first three being
made under the auspices of the govern
ment while Fremont was an officer of the
army, and tho last two at his own
private expense after he had resigned
their leader and commander one Of the most
conspicuous figures of that generation. Their
scientific results were recognized as of the
greatest interest and value by various
learned societies of Europe, while their i'm
portance in a material and political point of
view was universally conceded at that day.
gold medal from the Prussiau Geographical
society, the Order of Merit from Frederick
II, an autograph letter from Baron Won Hum
boldt, and medal from the Royal Geographi-
cal society of England are among the
foreign honors bestowed on Fremont. These
are valuable souvenirs, but doubtless their
owner prizes more highly in his old age the
consci ousnoss Of having contributed in a
large degree to the knowledge of his country
men concerning thoir own domain, and of
having borne potential part in extending
its boundaries, for it is undoubtedly true
that Gen. Fremont was the pioneer of Ameri-
can government in California, and did more
than any other O. ne man toward wrestling it
from Mexican rule and saving it from
British Vaccinations. He first raised the
American flag for conquest in California, and
rallied there a force sufficient to expel the
Mexicans, and which, in connection with n
naval force, was able to hold the country
against any hostile foreign demonstration.
Tho Hon. William l.. Marcy secretary of
state in his official report made
in December, 1916, gives the entire
credit for the conquest of California
to Gen. Fremont, concluding with the state
ment that "the whole province was yielded
up to the United States, and is now in our
occupancy" In his various exploring expe-
ditions across the continent Fremont estab-
lished geographical nomenclature which
still exists to q great extent He first named
the Golden Gate, and it was fitting that he
should be the first civil governor of Califor-
MIA, as he was its first United States senator.
He gave the namo to Humboldt river, as to
many others, and the great German. in his
published letters says, This is tho first name
given in geography after me-" The
Central Pacific railroad crosses the Sierra
Nevada in sight Of the crossing made by
Fremont in the winter of 1894. Other
passes which he tried, surveyed, and fixed are
now used by the great roads. His distin-
guished father-in.law, Thomas II. Benton, ono
of the ableSt and most far-sighted men Of his
day. was also the first advocate of Pacific
railroad. Looking to thewest, he said, "There
is the east-that is the way to India" Fremont,
partly from his own intuition and partly
from the inspiration of his gifted wife, the
with the same idea. II am strongly in
favor" he wrote "of central national rail.
road from the Mississippi river to the Pacific
ocean. There never has been presented an
enterprise 80 calculated to draw together in
its support all classes OF society. Many years
OF labor and exploration OF tho interior of
our continent, and along great part Of the
way the road will necessarily pass, have
conclusively satisfied me. not only
of its entire practicsbility, but of
the extraordinary advantages offered
for its construction" Gen. Fremont
never lost sight of the idea of a transconti-
mental railroad, and whether he was hosting
the American flag on a peak Of the Rocky
mountains, living with his famished men or
famshed mules, fighting the elements or
fighting the Indians, taking astronomical OBJ
servations or conquering California, he never
! forgot Col. Benton's prophetic utterance,
! "There is the east-that is the way to India
Fremont resigned his first commission in
the army in 1sis, being then lieutenant
/ colonel. Some Of his most substantial ser
! vices TO the country were rendered after this,
and for which he has never received any re-
ward or recognition. Perhaps we should
except as a sort OF recognition his nomina'
= tion for president in 1866, by which q
, portion OF his countrymen testified theii
! appreciation Of his character and