The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1878-05-25

Thc history Of any war is simply
repetition Of former horrors. True, it
is said by modcra theorists, that hon.
icide committed at the instance Of the
Governing power has been shorn Of
many Of its brutalilies; but tho fact
remains that the passions Of men when
they have tho authority Of !" law" for
their actions. are no more refined or
less cruel than 10 ages past. It seems
difficult to make Any reasonable distinc.
tion in behalf Of the modern torpedo,
which sends hund reds Of men to death
without moments notice, over the
heated sand or the rcd.hot shot Of times
long past. War always carries in its
train scenes Of rupiuc, lawlessuess,
trcachcry and ruin, Aud it is one Of
the worst features OF this sort Of strife.
that class Of men take advantage Of
the troubles Of Tho country to rob and
plundcr MI alike. without regard to
their political affiliations. The war Of
the revolution. when the patriots Of
tho Colonies sough. to throw of the
yoke Of the Mother Country, was no
exception to tais rule. In all the
Colonies. hut more especially in Vir-
giuia aud the Carolinas, bands Of ruff
fans, under tue guise Of ".[nispend.
cut Ranger Patriots, aud profcsscdly
under tho command Of Francis Marion.
(although tha. gallant officer utterly
repadia,cd them aud their acts) roamed
through tho country, pillagiug all
from whum anything could be gained !;
and it is not surprising that tho brave
trough rider" tho British Colonel
Carleton. showed them no mercy when
he fell upon them. Ho was the MOsby
Of tue English army in America; and
the presence Of his forces was often
hailed by the patriots as far preferable
to the occupation Of their country by
the miscalled "Patriot Rangers.
As 10 other wars. too, there were
dsscrtions from tho contendiug armies.
The sutferings Of tho patriots. so we'll
known to history. need no. be mention
cd terc; aud it is no wonder that
many otherwise good meu, whv, before
the war, had been accustomed to the
comforts and cvrn the luxuries Of life.
should yeSru ior au easier mode Of
living than ti.at accorded to soldier in
the continental army.
In the year l7Sl. when Benedict
Arnold lauded in Virginia. backed by
a host Of Hessiaus aud other troops
furnished by the British Government,
he was hailed bya large number Of
those who still remained loyal" to
the English. and strong efforts were
made BY the Tories to induce disafEec..
cd persons to join his standard. -Four
persons were especially picked upon as
proper parties for treason. namely;
Juan De Soto, a native American,
Elias Smith, q dcgerter from Tho En-.
glish army, John Kanakce. French
Canadian and Franz Swartis. Hes
sian who had come over to the Putri.
OTIS. All Of these wero men Of intel.
ligeuce and shrewduess. but as great
villinus rs could possibly have been
selected from the various countries
they represented. Disguised with the
hardships they were compelled to en-
dure in the colonial army. they wero
ft subjects for " treason, straiagem aud
spoils." Through tho Intervention Of
IN influential Tory. they obtained an
interview with tho British General
CORVALLIS, aud aided by liberal al.
lowaucc Of British gold. aud premise
Of entire immunity for past or future
offences. they commenced their me-
farious work. How successful they
: Al A..