The Republican journal., 1910-03-10
The Queen of the Kennebec
Or the Last of the Wampanoags.
BY FRANK W. GowEN.

great speech WHICH ne recently Hldue LII
old Virginny, Dominic" shouted little
man with red whiskers who stood near
Burr, and who seemed to be all of
tremble with anger at Rev. Mr.. Bailey's
words. "Hooray for Patrick Henry"
shouted the crowd; and we say with him,
''Give US liberty or give US death"
THAT is the right kind of sentiment, my
men," spoke up Burr. "Shame on any
man in the colonies" said he, as he turn
ed fercely on Jacob Bailey, "who would
not defend the liberties of their country. "
Good for you, Burr" shouted the
crowd, and big raw boned fellow, hot
with temper, began to shoulder a lane
through them to get to Rev. Mr.. Bailey.
But Just at that moment a high officer IN
the Continental army of commanding
presence dashed up to the angry crowd
on a powerful black horse and casting
his eagle eye at Burr he asked rather
sternly: Little Burr, what is the mat
ter here?' There was a brief silence;
then shout went up that rent the air,
as it was quickly learned that Benedict
Arnold, who would fight the British king
to the death was among them. Burr
stepped forward and shook the officer
warmly by the hand and briefly told him
what had happened. Arnold slipped
quickly from his horse and held the brl-
die in his hands. Friends, said he, as
he looked at the angry crowd and then
toward Rev. Mr.. Bailey, Harm not the
man of God even if he is Tory; let him
pass as he deserves. The crowd fell
back Immediately and Jacob Bailey, with
a look at the gallant officer and rebel
whom he hated, walked rapidly back to
the parsonage his parisbioners had built
for him only few years previous.
'Be We really, Arnold" inquired the
little man with the red whiskers as he
took step nearer to him and raised his
hat. Arnold smiled and bowed. :'My
Cod" exclaimed the little man as his
eyes blazed with eXcitment, "let me
shake the hand of brave man." Other
rough woodsmen rushed forward and also
shook Arnold's hand with will. On,
kind reader. if Arnold's eventful life had
only terminated with this invasion, or
few years later on the gallant field OF
Saratoga. how different would have been
his place in history. General Arnold
had left Fort Western early that morn
ing for Col. Colburns shipyard and was
on his way down to Swan Island to see
Burr in person. His daring and brilliant
military achievements during the early
wears of the Revolution had made his
name famous throughout the colonies.
He was at this time 35 years of age,
with a naughty and commanding pres
ence and possessed a quick temper as
well as great courage and physical
strength, but he lacked the cool judg-
ment and sterling qualities of Washing
ton. Had Benedict Arnold been domi-
mated by the same faith as Washing
ton he would never have turned traitor
to his country; but he lacked that faith
so conspicuous in Washington and in
Stark and General Schuyler. No neg
lect or wrong by our early Congress
could swerve these noble men from be-
ing true to their country. Yet Arnold
had traits of manhood and honor within
him. Did you ever know, dear reader,
that he cared for the orphan children OF
General Warren who fell at Bunker Hill?
After the State of Massachusetts neg
lected to provide for them General Ar
mold did this out Of his own purse and
finally prevailed upon Congress to make
provision for them. Then we are told
that he saved the life of the British SOL
der who shot him at Saratoga. Was it
not good trait in his character when he
left nearly all his provisions for his starv-
ing army in his march through this wild
erness; that is before he pushed on for
the Chaudiere and Canada with Captain
Morgan and his picked men to gather
food and send back to his famished SOL
diers?
/ have always thought that our old
Continental Congress and the enemies of
this man of wonderful genius and mill
tary skill have a heavy account to an
swer for their injustice to him. That a
traitor should be despised there can be
no question, but we are prone to lose
sight of the fact of how unjustly Arnold
was treated by our early Congress. But,
as | have said, he lacked the faith of
Washington and it is Thackeray who tells
US in Henry Esmond, ''Tis not the dying
for faith that's so hard, tits the living
up to it that is difficult" Had Arnold,
like Washington, put all his faith in the
great cause of liberty, which at times
must have seemed even to the Father OF
Our Country as far away ;had he like him
moved forward for its accomplishment
with a faith that could not have been
shaken, his name would stand out in his
tory today as one of the most brilliant Of
military leaders. Faith, like the word of
God, endureth forever, and the poet has
well said in these beautiful lines:
1.-The proudest work of Genius shall decay,
And Reasons brightest lustre fade away;
The Sophsts art, the Poets boldest flight,