The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-06-09
ABBEVILLE G. H., S. c., JUNE 9, l847.

Philadelphia, involved deeply in debt, ane
in difficulties with the Council court
martial declared him, with Justice no doubt
to have acted "Imprudently and unwiselv;;'
and, like Coriolanus; he remembered hi:
services and his wrongs. At one time he
thought of quitting the army and, like 6
Roman General, establishing settlement
in the wilderness of Western New York
with his old officers and soldiers; would he
had go ended his career. Pressed by i'm
mediate difficulties, and actuated by re-
venge, he obtained the key of the Hudson
river, then gave it up to the enemy and
blackened his name forever. Mr.. Headley
we think, has drawn his character with
much justice.
"He was man of decided genius-sud.
den and daring in his plans, and brilliant in
their execution. AS an officer he possessed
great merit, and Washington knew it, and
hence constantly lnterposed the shield of his
person between him and his enemies.-
Like Bonaparte he wanted poaoer and skill
at the head of his armies. Impelled by
broader and nober views than Congress
and governed by juster spirit, he would, il
left to himself have bound Arnold to the
cause of freedom with cords of iron. He
would not have visited too severely on him
his extravagances, or held him too closely
accountable for the use Of his power
Knowing him to be impetuous and head
long, nay, arrogant and overbearing, and
often unscrupulous, and he would have
curbed him by remonstance rather than by
disgrace, and directed all those vast energies
so eager for action on the foes ofhis country.
"But with Aarnold's impetuosity, he was
prudent and skilful. He laid his plans
with judgment, then pressed them with a
vigor and energy that astonished every one.
He could be safely trusted with an army
for although he could scarcely resist the
temptation 10 fight when battle was afforded
he managed it prudently, and extricated
himself from difficulties with wonderful
skill. He would struggle with the most
stubborn obstinacy to maintain his ground
against an overwhelming force, and when
compelled to retreat, do it with consummate
address. One great cause of his success
was his celebrity of movement. His mind
worked with singular rapidity: and what
he resolved TO do he urged on with all the
power of which he was possessed. His
blow was no sooner planned than it fell,
and in the heat of close fight he was
prompt and deadly as bolt from heaven.
shattering that he might reach, and shat
tering whathe reached" he was one of those
few fearless men in the world that make
US trembe at ourselves. His power over
his troops, and even over militia, was so
great that they became veterans at once un-
der his eye, and closed like walls of iron
around him. A bracer man never led an
army. He not only seemed unconcious of
fear, but loved the excitement of danger,
and was never more at home than when in
the smoke of the conflict Place column
Of twenty thousand veteran troops under
HIM, and not marshal of Bonaparte's could
carry it farther, or hurl it with greater
strength and terror on an enemy than he
Caught by no surprise-patient and steady
under trials, energetic and determed amid
obstacles, equal to any emergency, and da-
ring even 10 rashness-he was terrible
man in battle. But his pride and pas
sions were too strong for his PRINCIPLES, and
he fell like Lucifer from heaven. Placing
his personal feelings above every thing else,
he sacrificed even his country to them
Recengc aoas stronger than patriotism"
"Arnold's treason has sunk in oblivion
all his noble deeds-covered his career with
infamy, and fixed deep and damning curse
on his name. Men turned abhorrent from
his grave-friends and foes speak of him
alike with scorn, and children learn to shud-
der at the name of Benedic. Arnold. This
is all right and just, but there is another les
son besides the guilt of treason to be learned
from his history-that it is no less DANCE
rous than criminal to let party spirit OF per:
sonal friendship promote the less deserving
over their superlors in rank. The enemies
of Arnold have heavy account to render
for their injustice; and our Congress would
do we'll to take warning from their example,, !,
Arnold" says Mr. Headley. f" was one
of those rash: reckless persons, like Murat
ena ysnot who in; g| ;siHssefs psscs bscEp.y
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