Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-14

that the Generht was 49,. 80 >,
that the Governors view OF the nav
was sound. bat still insisted thas DIS
"orders" authorized his action, and he
couId not concede "that an interposi-
tion which has for its object the preser-
walton OF poace until the legal question
involved in the controversy can DO
settled Ia without necessity" Ge6eral
Canby's necessity would appear to have
been OF that type which knows no iH"'
or rather, knowing disregards II.
TIE QUESTION INVOLVED
in this correspondence may be viewed
in two lights-legsl and moral. AS 70
the former it is sufficient to say that
General Canby's enlarged powers under
the reconstruction acts having ceased
upon the readmission OF the state he
had no more legal night to interfere IN
such an imbroglio in Virginia than he
would have had in New York. c., no
right whatever. But as to the moral
phase of the matter, the question OF mo-
| tive and character, it is fair to take INTO
consideration, as Governor Walker sug-
gests in one of his letters. that sit
may be difficult for military officer long
accustomed to rule State under the re-
construction laws OF Congress at once
aud in the same place to realize the
mighty change effected by the admission
OF the State into the Union, and the re-
storation of the supremacy of the Con-
sttution. the revival OF civil govern
ment and law, and the consequent sub
ordination of the military power.
PARTIsASsHIP AND DECEPTION.
Unfortunately, however, for our esti-
mate of General Candy there are two
features of his conduct which cannot be
80 readily pardoned and first, his in
reference was of the most partisan
character. Professedly acting simply
to prevent a further breach of the peace
he interfered in behalf OF a claimant
who had no right whatever to the Office
under the existing State law, and against
another whose valid title to the same Of
fee could be called in question only
upon the theory that the said law WAS
unconstitutional. We might he disposed
to consider these features OF the case ac-
cidental il he had not on two other occa-
sions OF the gravest import to this city
and State displayed even more intense
and extreme partlsauship.
1t will be remembered that in 1869
President Grant authorized the people
OF Virginia to vote whether or not the
test-oath clause should be stricken from
the Constitution at the same election in
which they would vote for State officers
and members of the Assembly, but it
has perhaps been forgotten that, just
upon the eve of the election, General
Candy, then our absolute lord and
master, OF his own motion issued an
order providing that no person should
either vote or be voted for who could
not take the test-oath. This amazing
order fell upon the State like the knell
Of doom, for time paralyzing all effort
as well as hope but the moment the
Hon. A. II. II. Stuart brought the matter
before General Grant his manly spirit at
once repudiated the monstrous perver-
sion of justice and good sense, and Candy
was ordered Immediately to repeal his
despotic firman. Again, when during
An election here-probably the State
election of 1869, possibly our
municipal election in the spring OF
1871, myself, exposed to him the
details OF glazing and monstrous frauds
then in course Of preparation in the
United States Court room, within few
blocks of his headquarters, and begged
him either to come himself or TO send an
intelligent officer with me to test my
statement. He not only declined to do
what | asked, but made a suggestion as
to investigation and remedy after the
election. which told him to his face
WAS either a demonstration OF bis inabil-
ity 10 comprehend plain statement or
an insult to my intelligence.
The other trait displayed by General
Candy in this matter was even worse
than partisanship, 1t will be noted that
both Governor Walker and Mayor Ely
son, after full conference with the Gene
raj commanding, anticipated very diff
ferent action from him. Mr.. Ellyson's
note on this subject is explicit and
Governor Walkers is not less emphatic.
DEATH or CANDY.
It is with solemnity raised above light !
or vengeful feeling that L call attention
in this connection to tho newspaper re-
port at the time. and which have never
seen contradoted, as to the manner OF
General Canby's death in the lava-beds
of Southern Oregon. With large and
absurdly disproportioned force he had
been operating in that region against
the feeble band of Modoc Indians
under the leadership of the famous
Captain Jack, who had 80 palpa-
bly, outgeneralled and outfought |
his adversary that the whole coun-
try was laughing at Candy and hur-
raining for Jack. Under these circum-
stances Candy asked a parley, which the !
savage granted upon one condition |
viz. that the troops, who had again, as
they had done many times before, near
ly surrounded him, should not be moved |
until the parley was over. During
the sitting of the council one of his |
scouts came in and informed his leader 4
that some officer-Gibbon, l think-was /
moving with heavy force and in a short |
time would cut off his last avenue OF es-
cape. Captain Jack rose and without a |
word shot Candy dead where he sat,
scalped and stripped him, and the next
time this barbaric chieftain appeared 1
upon the field of battle it was in the
uniform Of a maior-general OF the United
States army.
/ cannot vouch for the truth Of the
story, but if true it is not without dis
graceful parallel. Colonel Lloyd j.
Beall. am told, used to relate, and /
have myself heard officers of high rank,
who like Colone! Beall were at the time
young subalterns in the United States
army, say that the Seminole war was
brought to a close by precisely similar
act of bad faith on the part of our
troops. One officer. in particular, spoke
of the mental agony he suffered in de-
termining whether to march with our
treacherous troops or to break his sword
and retire.
GILBERT O. WALKER.
1t is delightful to turn, from the con-
of such pictures as these, to
Walker. superb in person and in spirits,
I i