The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-05-24
For The Cecil Wig.
TREASON OF ARNOLD.

Dark night brooded DER the misty Highlands
the mighty river was yelled in gloom and 81
lence, save when the ftful tide beat family
against the rOck-bound shore. Not a token Of
human life was there, yet those woods and that
river were teemlng with armed foes. Over the
fortress at the north, toated the stars and stripes
OF newborn fIeedom-a flag destined to rank
with ensigns that had hoatcd proudly for cenu-
ries-whie at the south over the ship Vulture,
CLEANED the red cross of England--the meteor
OF 1t thousand years. Under these were cluster
ed noble focman. These for fame and LOYALTY;
those for their country's liberty and laws. The
strife had lasted long and long was it likely to
last between the rulers of the ocean, and the
tanners of the forest.
Yet there was treason in the camp, treason
where treason could not be suspected. But it
was always so-it will ever be, that the cause of
the holy and good, has still the traitors heart and
hand against it. When the myriads of Persia
qualed before the three hundred Spartans at
Thermopyln--one died, not then-Rome was
sold by Brutus when the Tarquins were hardly
down. The Lord OF heaven and earth counted
in his fold Julas. Mark that boat breakins
the placility Of the waters with mufled oars ana
steering for that deep inlet. No human eve could
penetrate the depths of that recess, so well
suited for the cradle of treason; so meet a tomb
for the traitor. The keel grated harshly on the
shore, and n stately form landed-one of En-
glands proudest warriors--one who could WELD
the mortal brand, and rein the fiery war horse
Noble spirit! Noble warrior! Brave man.
Woe unto the hour, when first thy feet were
placed upon that shore. Not word was spoken
and the rowers knew not the man whom they
conveyed to that dark and gloomy spot
But there was one waiting on that shore,
shrouded in the shades of night, yelled in the
thlckets covert, whose name was glorious
None could rival his laurels, by the waves ofthe
wild Dead River; by the stormy lake OF Chau-
dleres; on the plains of Abram, hallowed by the
fall of the victorious Wolfe, in the weary march
by the hennebec, on Quebec's ramparts, upon the
heights of Bemus, his deeds outshone the face of
day won for him laurels which will ever form
brilliant page in the archives of American his
tory.
But when he had played the part, and fought
the field, others won the laurels. This ranked
IN his heart, and CALLED his proud spirit. Heavy
debt oppressed him too, and he plotted his coun-
try's downfall, partly driven by sordid need, and
partly by bitter hate. He bartered his country's
!aureis, his glorious fame for the reward ola
TRAITOR; but this was not all-in falling, he
dragged that loftier spirit down who would not
stoop to treason! no, not for Enelands crown.
NO man knows what passed in that glen that
night. II sealed Arnold's DESTINY and Andres
doom.
1t was bright summers morning, the muf-
fled drums were beating and the serried bayonets
glancing in the mid-air, when they led Andre
forth to the fatal tree. He had asked soldiers
death-"why this shrinking3 l will go, all
fearless, though the manner | detest.'' Not
single eye in that crowd was dry, not heart
but moved with pity.
But il was better thus to die,
With his country mourning, signing,
Than like Arnold to live on,
Slowly and by inches dying.
PERSEVARANTIA.
DelaVars College, May IA, 1851.