Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-03-13
BENEDICT ARNOLD
"A Lost Opportunity for Heroic Glo-
ry."-Oration Written by Rosemary
Blair of the Wauseon High School
and Delivered by her Before The
Wauseon Chapter D. A. R. Feb
ruary goth, 1914.

Each year we celebrate thedeedsand
acts of brave men, our statesman, our
presidents, our generals. But there
is one for whom we have nothing but
bitter, harsh words. One, who in a
moment of passionate frenzy, COM
mitted adeed which has made hisname
one of the most hated of all Ameri-
cans-Benedict Arnold. Now we shall
endeavor to make our attitude toward
this man clear to you. We do not de-
fend him, nor attempt to justify his
act. Far from it; but we are not fill
ed with such bitter hatred toward him
as some. Arnold betrayed his coun-
try, but before his treason, he gave
great services to her.
Let us consider the character of
Arnold. Let US think of him as a
fighter. He was a splendid fighter
and a skillful general as well as a
brave and daring one. When the
startling news from Lexington thrill
ed all the country, Arnold raised a
small company of soldiers and was ap-
pbinted Captain. He later became
Colonel and aided in the attacks on
Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point
But best of all of his military valor
was his splendid bravery at Saratoga:
AS fighter he was splendid thru, and
thru. Blaisdell says of him with the
exception of Washington and Greene,
prior to his infamous deed, no Ameri-
can general had done more efficient
service for the cause of our independ-
ence than Benedict Arnold" But let
US consider what kind of a man ne
was. He was naughty and insolent.
He was extravagant, fond OF gay lie
and lived far beyond his MEANS he
had a very quick temper, and was
easily offended, even when offense was
least intended. He was OF an envlous
nature and this had much to do with
his treason. Arnold lacked moral
courage to a degree that overwhelmed
all of his other grand and noble quail
ties. It was this utter lack OF moral
courage that caused his downfall.
Arnold Joined the army when it was
before Boston, and fought IN many
minor engagements in the first OF the
war. He had a terrible march through
the dense Maine woods and made the
attack on Quebec, then the most
strongly fortified city in America.
Amidst fierce fire from the British
guns. he scaled the walls and entered
the city. Once within, victory would
have been assured, but Arnold was
wounded; his men, without leader,
fell into confusion, and the attack
failed. Let us look at Arnold at Sara
topa. that famous battle which both
English and Americans realized would
be the turning point of the war. The
British army under Burgoyne contlnu-
ed to advance, and seemed irresistible
and the campaign was considered most
over. Disappointments as to rein
forcements, loss of stores, and amLnl-
ton had greatly discouraged the colo-
nists and as a fitting climax, Congress
had shamfully put Gates in command
and he had denoted Arnold. In the
battle of Saratoga Gates was far in
rear of his army, planning retreat,
in case of defeat. However, all of his
generals were on the firing line, ex-
cept Arnold, who remained in camp:
Like a Gagged lion, he paced back and
forth before his tent, watching the
fierce struggle before him. Very
keenly he grasped the situation; saw
Gates far in the rear: saw the one
weak point of the British-the place
where the attack could be driven with
great force and the battle won; saw
that the colonists were fightlng as
bravely as possible without leader.
Angry and desperate, and IN disope-
dance to commands from Gates, ne
called for his horse and rode to the
front. Galloping along the firing line;
he took charge of the Americans, ana
directed the entire battle The men
Greeted him with loud cheers. Dashing
among his men where the fighting was
fercest. he waved his sword above
his head and uttered commands heard
above the confusion Of battle. The
men. inspired by his bold daring. fol-
lowed him, charged against, and de-
feated the British. Thus the battle
was ended. It was Arnolds battle and
Arnolds victory, though Gates claimed
the credit for it. In 1778 Arnold was
nut in command of Philadelphia, but
he so abused his command that ne was
sentenced to be reprimanded by Wash
inpton. This aroused thirst for re-
yenge and led him to form scheme
to give up the Hudson river to the
enemy. With this end in view, he ask
ed Washington for the command OF
West Point, the great stronghold on
the Hudson. He received the command
and at once made plans to surrender
It to Clinton, the British general. The
British agent in the neootiation-
(Andre) while on his way back to New
York was stopped, searched, and pa
pers. in Arnolds handwriting, address
ed to Clinton were found on him. He
was arrested and hanged as spy.
News of his arrest reached Arnold in
time for him to make his escape to
the British with whom he fought. AT
the end of the war ne went to Eng
land, where he later died, heart-brok-.
en- and deeply repentant OF the awful
deed he had committed.
Reflect for brief moment upon this
mans life and think of the appurtuni-
ties for undying glory which ne for
feited. Here was Arnold, brave
man. a courageous general, fearless
fighter. No man in the whole Con-
tinental army was more trusted than
he. Even Washington had great faith
in him as a fighter. All of his mill
tary valor had shown him to be a man
of promise. But as certain historian
saws of him "Arnold lacked that moral
courage, without which great abili-
ties count for nothing" We all Of US
are familiar with Arnolds treason. II
he had but remained true to his coun-
try, what valuable man he would in
deed have been to her. He might have
risen higher and higher in the army
He helped to capture Burgovne. Think
of the honor which that deed alone
would have brought him. That was
the turning point of the war-the bat
tie which secured for US the aid of
France. And it was Arnolds bravery
and Arnolds daring which won the
dav. His name might now be linked
with that of great heroes of war, had
he not committed treason. But in a
moment of anger, he disgraced himself
forever. not only in the ewes of the
Americans Int in the eyes of the Bri-
tish also. His name today is spoken