The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-04-18

was the subject Of charges direct, which
covered him with disgrace. Franklin
Jared better, but was the object of Sc
we're criticism, both in and out of army
circles.
General Benjamin F. Butler, like
Burnside and others, was off color with
the 'McClellan-F -Franklin-Fi John Por-
ter element, and his expedition TO Fort
Fisher was made a failure through
means that history will sooner or later
denounce as a conspiracy embracing
both army and navy. The very same
troops were detailed to a second cam
paign and assault upon Fort Fisher.
General Newton N. Curtis, the present
member of congress to whom my letter
read upon the floor Of the house, pro-
testing against the reappointment
of General Franklin, commanded bri-
gade of the corps. was serving with.
and formed part OF the Fort Fisher de-
tail 1t was sent out under the COM
mand Of one Of General Buffers own
division commanders.
General Curtis belonged TO the old
conservative Silver gray element of
the Whig party. He hated a 'nigger just
shade more tnan he loved his
country. He said to me in the dark hour
of defeat after the explosion of the mine
in front of Petersburg: 1T is time Lin
coin mustered the niger troops and put
Mcclellan back in command Of the
army again. When he does this our
troops will charge again as they used
to do
''This feeling was largely shared by
General Terry, commanding, and the
other officers Of the Fort Fisher expedi-
ton, and they went the second time for
a victory that would give them renown
and drive General Butler from the ser
vice, and thus dOubly inspired, they
fought one of the most doubtful and
desperate battles of the war-gained the
double victory Of capturing Fort Fisher
and downing Butler
when our congress provided for vol
unteer soldiers homes, General Benja-
min F. Butler was chosen a member,
and president of the board of managers,
and under his administration the Day
ton and other homes were built.
when the unexpected happened,
congress became Democratic, and the
government turned over to the tender
mercies of those who had sought so de-
terminedly to destroy it during the
bloody years of their armed treason, the
Confederate end of the new ruling party
came to the right of the line and head
Of the column. 1t took but little time
to change the complexion and character
of the soldiers home management. Cen
eral Butler was kicked out in disgrace
and General Franklin put in his place.
General Mcclellan, General McMahon,
General Black, and their political kin
dred were put in as logical supporters
of the president. In the management of
our homes place has been found for
the military satellites of the old McClel-
Ian regime. A sort of rewarding and
finishing off place. where the old Staff
have been installed as governors until
they died of delirium-or prolonged mis-
rule indefinitely, by taking the Kelley
cure
General Curtis, as brave a soldier
and genial a gentleman as it has ever
been my lot to meet on the field or in
the forum Of peace, stands the defender
of Franklin on the floor of congress,
bound to him by this old-time bond of
conservative sympathy. This bond
makes Franklin, the Democrat, much
nearer to him than any general known
in the ranks of his own political party
Once covered with conservative paint
and induced to bow to the Mcclellan
idol, there is no such thing as erasing
the one or emancipation from the other.
General FRANKLIN IS man OF rare
executive ability, measureless will pow
er, and manner at once digrified. gen
ial and attractive. In the board his viii
is and viii remain law as long as he
may remain. The Republican members
have always been soft clay in his hands
10 be shaped into vessels of dishOnor.
according to his will or caprice. But
during it all the old issues of uhe war
have not been forgotten by him. nor an
opportunity lost 10 reward those who
fought for pride and promotion. as
against those who offered their lives for
conscience and country"