The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-05-12
a Remarkable Episode III u Remarkable

Il Remarkable Episode III u Remarkable
Life.
Few men in history have had as glori-
ousa career, SO mixed with sorrow, as
John Charles Fremont. To the injustice
IN former years OF Gnvious superiors has
since been added the injustice OF fate.
The story Of the shittin: OF hissupposed
burden OF debt TO the Government into
= larger claim agairs. the Government.
told IN our Telegraph columns thismorn-
ing is probably without ~ exact paral.
lie! in history, but the features OF his
early career were but Illustrations of the
ingratitute OF republics and the malis.
nifty OF env!ouB men.
Few OF the younger readers OF the
lSTELLIdEEcEE are probably informed
OF the debt OF gratitude which the Amer.
lean Nation owes General Fremont, OF
the conspicuous services he rendered
science and civilization, or OF the hard
injustice OF his treatment. Yet 20 poster
ity his lame Will shine brightly, and it
Is to be hoped the tardy justice done
him recently reader his last DAYS
comfortable md free from the care which
has aged him as physical hardship never
could.
Fremont has well been called "the
path,tnder." He paved the way Tor
the Pacific railroad, contributed to the
scientific lore Of the world, and made it
possible for the United States to extend
as one unbrokeu country from sea to Bea.
By the providential accident OF his ar.
rival on the western coast oil one OF his
five historic expeditions, he became
more than the mere explorer; he he
came tiic conIueror OF the rich Pacific
slope.
Hisrapid advancement, his success in
piercing tho unknown regions which had
before hatlled civilized mans efforts to
traverse them, and perhaps more than
all his achievements on the field OF arms
won him the envy OF officers who BY the
accident OF the service ranked as his
suPerioss, and his reward for his ilins.
trious services to his country was his
arrest and trial By court martial on
charges OF mutiny and conduct landing
to dGmoralize the army. Like Column
bus, he returned from the held oi his
discoveries in disgrace. He was sent
last in custody, But everywhere he re-
celved isonI.tho people thclhonor which
his distinguished achievements had just.
" wua. AT s.. Louis an address was
presented to him by tho citizens, and
Charleston, S. c., presented. him a costly
sword. @
uisa7ses. interiered with tho cn,nple-
ton OF his plans. He made q defense
before the court martial which stamped
him!as a.man OF .abiii;y-in the forensic
field only less brilliant than on the field
OF war, He was found guiltyand sen.
fenced to .bo dismissed, hut President
Polk, supported by the sentiment of the
wholecountry, restored to Kim his rank
and his sword.
Later horeSgned from tho army,and
pursued his explorations unler:private
auspices. lie acquired property.osyai.
-uu in California, hut his title to it was
questioned, and only aftera costly and
trying contest was no able to naintain
his rights.
Commodore Stockton .had:made him
Civi! Governor OF California, .and when
~ new. State was erected he became its
ttrst United States Senator. In 1856 he |
was tho candidate OF the Republican
party for fresident, and in. the early
days sofithc rGbNliim he rendered his
country sbril!ianssrrvieo as a Major Gan.
eral. In 1851 he was nominated 5ior
rresidon: at tho historic Cleveland con.
ven.ion' >onlya iew'weeks ago here.