, 1858-10-22
Puget SOUND HERALD.
sTELACooM, W. T., OCT. %, 1868.
GOV. McMULLEN AND THE ARMY.

Cow McN1ILiAIsN AND TILE AEtMhs
This officer, now sojournng at the Federal
Capital and consequently absent from his post Of
duty in Washington Territory, is reported in some
Of the papers from the east as having INDUCED
himself in the severcst animadvcrsions on the
army officers stationed in this part of the country,
which raise the most unpleasant issues Of fact
with that gentleman, and place the officers
alluded 10 in seemingly unenviablc position.
We indulge the hope that the newspaper state
ments mentioned may turn out to DC incorrect,
as far as Gov. McNlullen may be concerned, yet
the grave character of the charges alluded to,
the somewhat important position Of the officer
making them, and the hitherto irrcproachable
and unreproached character Of tho gentlemen
affected by these sweeping denunciations, de-
mand at the hands Of the press something more
than passing notice. IT. from any cause, Gov.
McMulen has so stopped, and has nalgned the
names Of the army officers stationed in Wash
ington and Oregon Territories, we will say that
the spirit that dictated the malevolent stab, and
the circumstances under which it was inflicted,
exhibit degree of mendAcity, the parallel Of
grades and degrees of foolish malice, it could be
said that that was the more honorable and
manly which sought its object in the open day,
and that the species Of spite which slaked its
vengeance in the absence, and behind the back,
Of It's adversary, was, of all human turptude,
Is the sririt and impulse which nerves the arm
Of the assassin. If these charges were made,
they were uttered where from the surroundings
Of the lbcllcr, the most damage could be done
to the persons against whom the shafts were
directed, and where, from tho physical impossi-
bility Of an early reply, and refutation, the full
intended evil would have been wrought before a
disavowal or denial could be heard; and hence
serious, if not irreparablc, injury would be in
hicted on the characters Of gentlemen and to the
army service ITSELF and with no chance Of answer
ing If these charges were truo-whch they
are nOt--the most ordinary form of the cheapest
gcntility would seem to require that, owing to
tho importance Of the positions Of the gentlemen
assailcd, fair notice should have been given
Of the character and scope Of the specifications,
to whom uttCred and the field where the issues
wcro to bo met and falling 10 do which, the
mind unpleasantly concludes that tho lesser
spirit of spleen impelled the blow, which avoids
being answered in kind.
If there are officers in tho army to whom
these accusations would apply, they should have
been designated specially. If there are officers
who are innocent justice, humanity, and the
most mcagre charity pCremptOrily required that
they should have been specially excepted. As
the only reply We see proper to make at this
time to these assertions Of McMullcn's, VIC say
that they arc known to be entirely groundless
and utterly false, by every informed man in that
Territory, the executive duties Of which Gov.
Mchullen has mover satisfactorily discharged.
There are blows to give as well as blows 10
receive. II the officers Of the army have boon as
regardless Of their duties as has the Executive
Of Washington Territory, then we say that every
one Of them should be cashiercd and turned out
Of the army at once. If they have comported
themselves in their respective stations with no
more appropriate and fitting dignity than has
that Executive, then indeed docs the service
merit, and will assurcdly receive, the scOrn and
contempt Of every right-mindcd man.
10 Illustrate, We point with pride to tho con.
duct OF Col Wright, Major Garnett, and other
brave officers who have so signaly distinguished
themselves, in tho recent Indian campaign, in
contrast with the official behavior of Gov Nc.
Mullen, during tho time he has been the Execu-
tive Of Washington Territory. Have these off,
GERS shown themselves inciicient9 have they
ever abandoned their duty has either Of them
made a pilgrimage to the other side Of the con-
6nent when duty called them here? On the
contrary, have they not at all times shown them
selves efficient, trustworthy, prompt, and in all
things hithfuls We do not choose to fm ther
refer to the record Gov McMulen has made for
himself in this country It is sufficiently well
known to tho Inhabitants Of tho Territory he was
imported to govern.
Yet, Maj. Garnctt, Col. Wright and others arc
embraced in this bin Of accusations filed at the
Federal city by Governor, and filed, too, at a
time when they were c"gagcd in subduing foe.
tho implacable and relentless foe Of the very pco-
PIE 50 Huch blessed with such Governor, who
performs his duty to them at distance Of three
thousand milesl-l Democratic Standard.