The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-13

A Generous, Manly, WhOle-SOuled Defense
of Much-Maligned Man.

A Generous, Manly, Whole-Souled Defense
of a Much-Maligned Man.
Dom Piatt in Cincinnati Enquirer.
I never read anything more un-Christian and
cruel than the attacks Ben p, RUnllle in
your issue of Sunday from the pen of clergy
man
Ben P. Runl,le is an Ohio soldier of brilliant
record in the late war, which he entered when
very young and left decorated with wounds
from which he will suffer until relieved by
death
Shot out of his saddle while CALAMITY leading
his regiment in the disastrous surprise at Shiloh
he was left as dead upon the field that night and
much of the day following.
Slowly recovering FROM his terrible wounds
he as soon as able to stand, against the orders of
the surgeons, swung into the saddle and went on
with the war until the war ended.
Continued in the service as a regular army Of
ficerfor his gallantry in the field, he was. unfor
tunately, assigned to duty i'll the Freedman's
Bureau.
When the odor of corruption in the Freedman's
Bureau became so sickeningt the people would no
longer submit to it. scape-goat was searched
for and found in General Ben p. Runkle Sub
ponaed to Louisville as a witness, he was lie
gally seized on as defendant, and put through
hurried nockery of trial. Under close arrest,
with his Witnesses scattered all over Kentucky
and Tennessee, denied access to his own records,
he was soon found guty-not of appropriating
any money to his own use, but being responsible
for agents who did. As he did not appoint these
agents. could not discharge them and had of
course, no control over them, the fIs5+1g
strictly in accordance with military law as ad-
ministerod by IA military court.
FORTUNATELY the Eos reviewed and af
frmel by Beiknap. t3ae Secretary of War in
stead Of by the President, the law orders.
General Gtdht, being appealed to- sent the case
to the Bureau of Military Justice to investigate
and determine whether he or the Secretary, under
his order should have reviewed the case, 80.
term of office expired and Hayes became Presi-
dent He took up Runkle's case and reviewed it,
as the law directs. He pronounced the whole
proceeding an infarny, and, setting aside the
findings and the sentence, left General Rnkle
in the army on the retired list where the Louis
vile court martial found HIM
President Hayes has been much abused for
this act by people who never possessed the facts
knew the law.
The poor fellows troubles however, did not
end with his acquittaL The severest wound
from which he suffered is that which shattered
his jaw and made the proper mastication of his
food very difficult, and at times impossible. This
brought on dyspepsia from which he is = terri.
BILE Sufferer First. under tie direction Of ihe
physicians, and then from appetite and habit, be
resorted to stinulants for relief This treat
ment followed its usual course and ended in its
usual results.
Some FIVE years since General Runllle became
a convert to the Episcopal faith. and began
course of study and self training to make not
only of himself, but if possible, minis
ter. In this he was helped on by certain kind
hearts he found in the faith he had adopted who
aided linn to rise when he fell; and he seems to
have encountered IL few who FASTENED TO discour
age him while up and trGmple upon HIM when
down
The progress he has made, to those who know
him best, has been amazing 1t looked at one
time if lie must surely find his grave through
a gutter. OF late years he is so changed that
place in the ministry seems not only appropri
b. .I,.,l. e.
Bishop of Mchieen, the Rev. Samuel G. Harris
told me after General Runkle left his diocese
che was a born leader Of men, full of the
best qualities that go to make an eminent and
useful minister and that he carried with him
his 1.-THE Bishopsl kindest feelings and best
wishes"
That General Runkle had the one bad habit
charged freely admit but the claimed licen-
tousncss and dishonesty are without founda-
ton. and just such eXaggerations as women and
clerical gentlemen paint in when the devil is to
be tinted.
One would suppose that among Christians
brilliant young man. full of generous impulses
and the highest qualities of manhood. struggling
to redeem himself from frightfu habit. would
be welcomed heartily, and given the kindest sup
port in his effort. '~
This seems not to be entirely the fact While
General Rurkle mas found a few such and
through their aid has gained place in the min
istry, others are bounding him down with ma
lignant activity that indicates more of hell than
heaven. .,.:
That, while clinging with the desperation of
lost soul to the cross of his Redeemer, he should
be set upon and dragged down by men whose
ministry is that of Christ--Hc who promised the
dying convict place in heaven-flls one with
with disheartening Amusement
1t gives one. however, a realizing sense of the
possibility of the Spanish Inquisition. We learn
through it why, of all wars. IL religious war Is
the most bloody cruel and unforeiving. AS the
sweetest wine makes the sourest vinegar, SO the
purest milk of human kindness. touched by the
sourihg acid of bigotry, gives to man Che quail
tications of n fend.
If the Episcopal Church is what ;t claims TO
be--tlle true church of Christ, who tl7lnpoled on
sin while forgiving sinners-this inhuman peise-
cution of General Runkle will be Of hei.eft To
both him and the church. If he remains true TO
himself, and the church truc to God, no harm
can be done