Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-07-03
-. :. 49, hinhest rank !. and

lowest to the highest rank; and
moreover. commanded our Green Noun
tain bows in the disastrous battle of
Bull Run, being an exceptional case of
those. who, with their commands, came
out of that conflict untarnished, and
covered with glory. At Fair Oaks, he
was twice wounded, and there lost his
right arm. Notwithstanding his wounds
and the loss of his arm, he did not long
remain idle, but thereafterwards, during
the war, in the North, the East, the
South and West, did conspicuous service
for his country. About the close OF the
war he was assigned to duty at WASH
ington. in charge of the bureau OF re1u-
gees, freedmen and abandoned lanuS'
and remains in that position to the
present day. His instincts, education
and training led him, naturally, to take
the part of the weak against the strong
and, consequently the refugee and freed-
man found in him ready, true and con-
slant friend, He, too, Interested him.
self in the matter of providing for the
education of the late slave, and, thus,
placing him in a condition to occupy
the position which the changed condi-
ton of affairs opened up to him. All
this combined to make General Howard
a special object of rebel malignancy,
and of that of their allies at the North.
Then, too, he committed the unpardona-
BILE sin of remaining true to his republl-
can principles and professions, refusing
to go over to the camp of the enemy,
believing, rather, with the vast MAORI
ty of his fellow citizens, that his duty
was to earnestly support the reelection
of General Grant.
1t may be called to mind, i'll connec-
ton with these new charges, how often
he has been subjected to similar attacks
before, and how, in each and every in
stance, he has been completely and tri-
umphantly indicated. The first charge,
if we remember correctly, was made in
connection with the collection OF funds
for ''Howard University, established in
Washington, mainly. through his efforts,
and named by the trustees in his honor.
His exculpation was complete and per-
feet, and the object of the attack was
made evident Hatred of country, bit
terness toward her defenders, and preJu-
dice against color originated the charges,
with the wild belief that the fall of one
man would bring dishonor upon the
cause. The cause was not injured even
while partisan press was ringing with
base ISLANDERS and vile inuendos against
one whose name was identified with its
success, and who stood high in the af-
fections and respect of his countrymen.
While the lovers of good rather than
evil, were rejoicing over this vindica
ton, so in accordance with their desires
and belief, the malignant spirit of eX-
rebels and northern sympathisers was
again preparing for fresh onset, and,
this time, as now, in connection with
the management of the affairs of the
freedmen, etc. Again were the charges
met and refuted. But it seems that s
man, honored and beloved by his loyal
countrymen, in behalf of whom he has
exposed and endangered his very life,
and sacrificed part of his person, is to
be bounded on to the death. Ought not
his life, reputation and services to weigh
something in his behalf Even while
we remember that Lucifer, son of the
morning, fell, should we condemn this
man unheard? His reputation and ser
vices plead, in his behalf, for a full,
fair, unprecedented hearing. If he is the
hypocrite he is alleged to be, let him BE
unmasked, and held up as a lesson to
the American people, but let US not, for
the fear of being called "whitewashers, i"
join in the hue and cry against him, un-
til we have some tangible ground to
stand upon. In a court of Justice, the
meanest of men is presumed innocent
until he is proved guilty, let us trust
that the same presumption will be &C
corded to a, hitherto, upright and hon
orable man, arraigned at the bar of pub
lice opinion. In the olden times, tomb
stones were wont to record that ''death
loves shining mark, and it is too much
so with certain portion of the public
press of the day. As for ourselves, in
dividually or as the conductor of news
paper, we prefer to retain little of our
youthful faith in human nature, and
trust in the integrity of General Howard
as well as other assailed public men
until we are brought face to face with
something beside rumor and scandal.