Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-04-17
RUTLAND HERALD.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL IS, 1878.
Justice TO General Candy.

We are glad to see, in all quarters
manifest disposition to do JUSTICE 10 the
character, motives and opinions OF Gen
eral Candy. Too often it happens that,
when one is past the effect of censure
and unable to speak in his own defence,
he lis selected as scape-goat for the
blunders, nisapprehensions and errors
of others We said, yesterday, that we
were surprised that General Candy, with
his experience in Indian warfare and
his knowledge of Indian character,
should have had any hope of attaining
a lasting, honorable peace with the
Modocs. We knew, and General Sher-
man so informed US, that he was select
ed for his mission on account or ms
large experience in dealing with the
savage Indians of America. 1t was IA
delicate and dangerous trust" and his
dispatches, as we showed, contained
some passages which might be construed
into faith in the honesty of purpose and
honor of the Modocs. We thought,
and we endeavored to show, that ii he
had any such faith, it was only in very
small degree, and that he believed that
they were utterly treacherous and de-
void of honor We feared, however, -
although we did not so express ourselves
that the blame of the massacre might
be thrown upon him; that there would
be an endeaYor to protect others over
his dead body. We knew, from our
readings, as we'll as from information
derived from his former comrades in
arms, that he was true soldier, an able
general, of quick comprehensive mind,
fearless of danger, obedient to the orders
Of his Supporters and possessed ready,
clear insight into character. We felt
that from his large experience, he must
thoroughly know and understand the
character, designs and intentions of the
Modocs as of other American Indians.
Our appreciation of him was correct,
our fears were wrong. General Sher-
man says that she, Candy, almost
begged to be allowed to settle the bust
ness in his own way" What that way
was appeared in our dispatches yester-
day, and to which we shall again short
ly refer. He was hampered, however,
by the peace commissioners, and espe-
cially we pesume, judging from the
facts already developed by Meacham.
The instructions to these commissioners
were that they should sin no wise at
tempt to direct the military movements"
they were directed, moreover, to COM
municate with the military commander
and advise him to use no more force
than was necessary to secure peace and
obtain the confidence of the Modocs.
These views, and the progress they
should, from time to time, make, was to
be communicated to the authorities at
Washington for their guidance. Upon
such reports, instructions to the com
manding officer would, of course, be
predicated. What the report of Meacham
was we have already seen. His views
must have more or less influenced the
government. Although great deal
was, necessarily, left to the discretion
of General Candy, he must, to greater
or less extent, have been influenced by
the views of the authorities at Washing
ton. he could not go entirely counter
to the opinions of the ''peace commits
sioners," with whom he was acting.
Thus hampered, he acted the best he
could under the circumstances. Yet, as
our Washington dispatches inform us
he ''all along protested to the war de
partment against the course which he
was made tot pursue towards the Indians.
He had no faith in the negotiations
with Captain Jack, and had continually
so stated to the war department. The
result has proved that he was right.
His life was sacrificed in carrying out
the views of others. All can now see
that If his policy had been pursued, the
end would have been different. Those
who advised different course do not,
as we are pleased to record, attempt to
place theYresponsibility of failure on his
shoulders. All admit the wisdom of
his views and accord him the honor he