The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-11-05


Newspaper correspondents. as the
war for the suppression OF the Rebell-
ion progressed, found their position
growing more anu more unpleasant.
Generals who had demonstrated their
consciousness OF their own incompe-
tencv, and the parasites who blossomed
on their stats in the glittering blazonry
of gilded buttons and ia cling shout
der-straps. were accustomed, however,
to disguise their incompetency and
failures by attributing them TO news
papers and their army correspondents.
They had as often succeeded In delud-
ING the public upon this subject as
they had failed in discharging their
duties. Being reduced to the necessity
of palliating their own unsatisfactory
conduct and their management, abuse
of the press hid seemed to them the
most plausible mode of escape from the
disagreeable position in which they had
found themselves. 1t was noticeable
fact that the only generals in this war
who had warred upon the newspapers
were those who had acquired unenvia-
BILE or odious distinction in campaign
ing or field operations. But it was q
still more conspicuous fact that in most
instances in which they arraigned army
correspondents, their accusations were
of a personal character. They did not
charge that correspondents had exposed
their plans to the rebels, or that they
had 'given aid directly or indirectly to
the enemy" but they whined because
their management and their personal
conduct was unfavorably or disparag-
ingiy criticised. This allegation is
true, and in representing facts in this
connection. correspondents discharged
the duties which they were expected by
the public to perform. There is no
process Of reasoning which will satisfy
intelligent persons that exposures OF
incompetence or neglect can injure the
public service, while it is demonstrable
that in the long run it promotes the
cause in which sthe country was en-
gagged, by leading to the displacement
of officers from command which they
are unfit to exercise. Military COM
manders aye public officers. As such
their conduct Is open to criticism and
the press must not be muZZled or
suppressed for the statement of facts
which do not harm the cause of the
people, or for the expression OF convic-
tions based upon such facts.
Gen. Butler. when here presented tho
Essex district in Congress, used to
mako terrible retorts, and the wiser
members never Intentionally gave him
nny rroyocation. One day, soon after
the Credit Mobier exposure, in a de-
bate on the postoflice appropriation
bill, after sone preliminary nagging,
Garfield, turning to Butler, said, in his
usual lofty way, that the abolition of
the frankling privilege was not per-
sonal matter, and asked, "Why 10 you
want to quarrel with me-" Old Ben
rose up with q wicked leer lurking
about his eve and said, in full, sono-
rous tone Of voice, Il want no quarrel
with the gentleman from Ohio. De
mlO1tit,~ nd Htsi b0nua2." ii thun-
derbolt hal come crashing through the
roof of the House and struck poor Gar
field he could not have dropped more
dead like into his seat. lie SAL there
"a pale us death, fairly Gaspiog for
breath. Although he made a desperate
effort Afterwards to recover his compo-
sure and 'akr y rt IN the d,bate. it was
plainly a. tgeat 10 everybody that the
SAVAGE iro OF i5utler had some 10 his
heart. Yet m about ten years there
after Cart ~ had been elected Presi-
dent of the hicd States. and Butler
signaLy defeate
Col. JOHN j, arlington. who had
inh' rited Mount Vernon and sold it to
the Ladies associate T.. was we'll known
III tie social c3cl OF the city which
bore the name al h 5 distinguished an
cestOr. accepted q commission in
the N'n edcreie a"niv r ' II the war,
arG w. al ei g. 81 -elnber. 1861,
viii OF on Z. reCo no S.l.ce with two
ct er q ers. Secret =, in bush by
toe road like were number of the
Seventeenth Indiana Eegiment, and as
WASH n gton al | his. companions came
up the road the Indiana bows arose
from their place of concealment and
fred. Washington fell from lis horse
on the first round. having received
three bullets. two o. which passed en-
tirely through his body, entering at the
right breast: and one of the quartette
was also hit but the two remaining I'M
hurt managed to get him away by sup
porting HIM on his horse. The body
of Wash ngton was conveyed to the
quarters OF Col. Waggoner. He lived
for the space of half an hour, and never
spoke save to utter once, "Oh my Godw
The next day his body was sent to the
rebel camp under flag of truce. In
the pockets of Washington was found
800 in Unitel States gold currency
and a splendid gold watch. His dress
was new and Of the most elegant make,
broadcloth coat and pants and white
satin vast