The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-12-18
BENEDICT ARNOLD.

Az 40 INV aiuoce 1UU y csI5 SluCo OcU-
eral Arnold's desertion of the patriot
cause made him the blacklist cbarac-
ter portrayed in American history, in
stead Of what he would be were this dark
act eliminated from his history, the no.
blest picture that was ever set in the
framework of great achievements. The
energy the daring and tenacity of Arnold
would make him famous even in an age
of knight errantry. But the country for
which he fought as no other man did,
prosecuted him when he served her with
all the enthusiasm of his fervent nature,
and heaped obloquy upon him when he
abandoned her cause. "Arnold the Hero
and not "Arnold the Traitor" is the
portrait which unprejudiced history
should paint. With that single, fatal
exception his deeds shine with a Iuster
which make dark by contrast those of
men whom the republic has long honor
ed. Arnold has found that s'the evil
which rcen do live after them. The
good is oft inferred with their bones. !"
Every child who takes his first lesson in
United States history is taught to revile
the name of Arnold. Nothing but the
dark side of his character is shown while
the good qualities of those his interiors
in genius and patriotism are set out in
bold relief. Nothing is said of the in
gratitude of the country for which he
fought and suffered, toward the gallant
soldier who never felt fatigue in her ser
vice. The sufferings at Valley Forge of
inactive men are SO wildly pictured that
in imagination we see the bleeding feet
of starved patriots and wonder at the
firmness of the commander that could
sustain hope under such trying ordeals.
But the march through the trackless
forests of Maine to the st. Lawrence is
lightly touched upon though the expedi-
ton required more frmness, more force
of character on the part of the leader
tildu ~ dlll w llOiu iACu III tdCll uuto AL
the wretched Pennsylvania village. Jea-
lousy followed Arnold through his whole
career. The continental congress which
we are taught to revere, was more swayed
by partisanship than by patriotism and
the distinguished services and many
wounds of Arnold did not plead as
strongly for promotion as did favor
tism to less worthy soldiers. He was
tried by court martial when the memory
of his gallant services should have silen-
ced the tongue of calumny though indis-
cretions on the part of the hero might
| under different circumstances have justi-
fed complaint. He was perpetually
bounded by envy and misrepresentation,
and his proud spirit sought redress in a
deed which has covered him with infamy.
Calm dispassionate judgment would &C
quit Belisarius of perfdy if he had be-
come the enemy of Justinian instead OF
the faithful general whose allegiance in
JiolASO SOIAiS& hoo aiiCidLC. 14ho hlhOlIA
borne wrongs and still remained faithful
to his country, his would have been the
name In revolutionary story which pos
terity would look to with admiration.
He was lacking in that virtue which can
find solace in the consciousness of duty
well performed. He was driven to trea-
son by the men in power because he
lacked that fortitude which would enable
men to bear undeserved reproach and
the want of recognition to which his
deeds entitled him. Arnold's memory
must bear the stigma of his treason.
Those who drove him to it are glorified
as heroes.
The last number of the Sunday 1ele-
graph contains review of the biogra-
ply of Benedict Arnold, written by a
Chicago lawyer. The work, it seems,
| does nothing more than justice to Ar
mold. While the people of the United
States cannot and should not forgive his
treason, still the deeds that preceded
it are sufficient to glorify him as q pa
triot.