Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1877-08-16
Our Washington Letter.


One effect, not unanticipatcd,
of having Gen. Howard itrcom-
mand of the forces engaged III
fighting the Indians, is given i'll
this morning dispatches. 1t is
stated that the volunteers pro-
post 80 advance with, but in
dependent of the regulars"
General Howard was not cut
out for an Indian fighter, and
his subordinate officers, his en-
listed men, and especially the
volunteers, understand it. 30,
evidently, does Chief Joseph.
Between conflicting reports
that our troops on the Mexican
border have and have not re-
cciyctl modified Instructions, it
Is difficult 10 say just what the
trouble is. But unqucstiona-
bly, Gen. 0rd's force is acting
as If its first orders had been
modified. The prospect is now
that the DiaZ Government will
soon be recognized by ours, aid
that protection will be secured
for citizens of the United States
of the Mexican border.
Some five years ago Major
Ben. p Runkle, Of the regular
army. who had been a disburs-
ing officer of the Frecdmen's
Bureau, while holding that
rank was tried on charges Of
embezzlemcnt of funds placed
in his hands by the Bureau for
disbursement. Much of the
opposition TO the Bureau seems
10 have vented itself on Major
Runkle, and he was hastily con-
victcd, and the Secretary of
War FASTENED to approve the
sentence, which was that he be
cashiered, &c. An informal
ity in the approval of the SEN
tence has given Major r an
opportunity to bring out in his
own behalf the proof of inno-
ccnce which the Court Martial
did not give him a chance TO in
troduce, and it is only fair to
ray that his yindication seems
TO be complete. The Military
Committee of the Senate and
House unanimously took thst
view of it, as did Judge Advo-
cate Gen. VIM. Mckee Dunn,
an accomplished lawyer, and
the highest authority on such
subjects in America. Mr.. Hayes
himself made thorough cx-
animation of the case, and has
disapprcved Inc findings and
sentence of the Court. This
puts Major Runklc in exactly
tho same position as if no trial
had been held. Ills Gailantry
and skill as a volunteer officer
during the war made Major
Runklc a host Of friends, and
all of them will rejoice at his
thorough vindication.
The first days proceedings
OF the Conservative Conyen-
ton at Richmond yesterday
were not of a character to please
the admirers of the grand old
State of Virginia. Happily the
confusion did not interfere, cx-
cept TO cause delay, with the
regular proceedings of the con-
ycntion, and we may hope for
calm and reasonable action to-
day on the questions which
make this assemblage so inn
portant TO the State and so in
icrtsting to the whole country.
In Maine, l anticipate from
the Republican State COnvcn-
ton to-day nothing less than a
clear definition of the position
of the party as against that OF
the Administration. Less than
this will seem to be fatal to Mr.
Blaine's position as head of the
party in the Pine Tree State.
In a few days Mr.. Hayes and
a part OF his Cabinet 60 North
20 attend the Bennington cello
bration. Secretary Sherman
goes to Ohio 10 look after poll
lies. Secretary Schurz, who is
the great Hessian of our modern
politics, will remain here. He
could notlook with complacency
un the field where an earlier
hut less fortunate mercenary
Was defeated by the American
leople. Soon after Mr.. Hayes
return from the North he viii
60 South. He has received in,
Vulnerable invitations TO visit
the various cities there. He
will have a cordial reception
wherever he may go, from the
Potomac to the gulf In doing
what lac could 10 benefit the
south, at tho risk of popularity
q Il y