Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-10-05

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Il. Calhoun Adams, in HE second book Of
"The Story OF Trooper" pays the following
handsome tribute to the character OF Gen. W.
B. Franklin; -. q -. -
"And here let me say few words touching
the example set by Gen. Franklin to his men
aud officers. He quietly pitched his tent on
the brow Of hill, in the open fleld; and this
was his headquarters during the winter His
style of living was Of the plaincst kind, and
| sueh as became the true soldier. Nothing
could induce hims 70 enter the housea OF tho
people, nor would he permit any ono OF his
staT to occupy them. His tent was his home
and HE headquarters, and, like . true soldier,
he meyer forgot that he was placed here 70 DO
| his duty 70 his God aud his country. Affable
| and courteous In his manuere, with nature
keenly susceptible TO the demands Of Justice
and true humanity, quick 70 interpret between
| right and wrong, rigid disclpllnarian, exact-
mates, you could find no trucr friend or more
agreeable companion when the work Of the
day was over. .tT-. .r'
Encouraging alike by his triumph and pre-.
cept true manlincss in his officers, Il was his
highest aim to promote the interests of all
under him, aud 70 improve their discipline
that they would reflect honor on their country
In the day of battle. In short, he was not long
In gaining the confidence and esteem Of his
soldiers, and with them he found the basis Of
what was afterwards known In the army as the
noble old sixth corps" aud which was SO
much feared by the enemy.
Franklin was sincere believer In the policy
that II was our duty TO fight aud conquer the
enemy wherever we found him in arms; but
that conscience aud humanity deman that
we protect the defeucoless aud the innocent.
He saw that In the carly stages of the war OH
cers were too much inclined TO yield TO unne-
cessary fears, and in arming these fears to use
such means as brought distress upon the limo.
cent. And he was too deep a thinker not 10
know that justice and moderation exercised In
an enemy's country arc mightier weapons than
| the sword.
Ineyer saw a man who had more honest
| and outspoken contempt for hypocrisy In
whatever form 1t showed itself, aud SO free
was he to rebuke II whenever II interfered with
the discipline of his men that several Of those
selfish aud perverse-minded demagoguee, who
made II their business to misconstruo the acts
| of Generals and cause dissentions among theil
men, began repaytng his rebukes by whispering
doubts Of his patriotism. And IL was a mis-
fortune from which both the army and th,
country suffered, that the reckless aud the ig
norant found attentive listeners In high places
and more especially when they had charges u
make against Generals who refused to sink th,
| moralities Of their manhood, and carry on thI
war after the fashion Of saysges.
| We are too apt TO let our feelings predomi
nate while seeking punishment for the error
OF others, and rarely respect that rule we woul'
apply to our own. Many of the southern peo
pie, inentering the rebellion, were either mis-
guided by their leaders or deluded by their ig
norance. They were not only hurried int
wrong deeds, but even fostered into wrong sen
timents afterwards. And the rejecting min,
will find no difficulty In discovering how cas-!
these things are brought about under the inn u
ence of that cupidity or revenge which are st
continually changing the sentiments and ac
tions of the human heart.
Franklin comprehended this in It's broades
sense; hence his anxiety to deal out mercy Il
the innocent and punish the guilty. He wal
responsible TO his country for his acts, and IL
performing his duty felt conscious that God II
the true guardian OF all just judgments, ant
whatever earthly rulers may do, He will met
out his rewards TO him who takes for his guide,
conscience and reason, truth and right. And
from such guides no amount Of political sophis
try ever swerved Franklin.