Middletown transcript., 1922-04-22
B. ARNOLD AND GEN. GRANT
BY REV. EDWIN WHITTIER cAswELL

decided results on battle fields, and
change the destinies of nations. Our
Revolutionary struggle for freedom and
our Civil War were no doubt greatly
prolonged by the plotting of leading
officers against one another. Such men
evidently cared more for their own per-
sonal promotion than for their country.
Benedict Arnold had enemies of this
character, who sought to depreciate his
early victories in Canada, who cast
cloud over the glory of his dashing,
fearless, triumphant leadership. While
not attempting to apologize for Arnold's
treachery, may it not be we'll to enum-
crate some of the reasons fer his
traitorous fall. that others may avoid
such lamentable career.
Previous to the hour of his ignomi-
NOUS betrayal, he had performed splen-
did service for his country. He was
brave. wise, discerning and overwhelm-
ingly impetuous IN the crises of battle.
He was born soldier. impatient of re-
allowed freedom of action. Washing
ton, who WAS mis- firm, unfailing friend,
said of him, That, by Arnold, every
thing would be done that valor or pru.
dence could suggest. A more active, a
more spirited and sensible officer fills no
department in the army.
Arnold, on returning from Canada, at
the height of his fame, found that five
subordinate officers were promoted
over his head, to become major gen.
erals, while his own name was purpose
ly omitted from the list General
Washington was greatly surprised and
,ncensed, as was Arnold himself, and
plead with him not to resign his COM
mission, as he contemplated doing.
Officialism in Congress offers fine
opportunity for the plotter to knife the
rising general and make a place for
himself or his friends. Arnold, who had
buried his bitterness, was the bravest
of the brave at the battle of Saratoga,
where Burgoyne surrendered and the
destiny of the American republic was
really decided. General Gates, who
was seeking to supplant Washington,
desired all the glory of the victory for
himself. He therefore communicated
the news directly to Congress. leaving
Washington to learn of the victory as
he might, and entirely ignoring in his
report General Arnold, who had gone
into the conflict against Gates orders,
and who had really turned the tide of
battle by his tremendous assault upon
the British forces. Think of it While
Arnold was an invalid from the wound
received at Saratoga, his jealous enc
mics muck-raked in Canada for charges
against his personal integrity, claiming
that, in making his financial account to
the war department, he, had been dis
honest.
The Board of War investig gatng the
matter, declared that Arnold had been
art1allu aud frrp,nIiaosl,,
| Il court mat tial Trial never ends. Enc
and opposition were often manifested
by former friends who had b cen poison
ed against him. ashington, to show
his confidence in Arnold, gave him the
command at Philadelphia when the
British forces evacuated the city Here.
new charges for extravaganza were
prepared by his prosecutors and not
only sent to Congress, but to every
State. He was formally acquitted OF
| the charges, but. to satisfy his enemies,
| he was sentenced to receive a repri-
mand from General Washington. This
was no doubt tie cruel blow that de
cided his destiny.
At this time, Arnold wrote to Gen.
eral Gates, exclaiming, "6y Heaven
| am villain if seek not revenge fol-
injured honor.
The aim of this article is to show
that the nobest manhood cannot be
driven into the ranks of the enemy
The man who trusts in Almighty Goo
to avenge him and give him the proper
place in His eternal annals, will not be
tray his principles to crafty his feel
ings of revenge. such man will no
sell out to the devil for the sake of pun
ishing his enemies.
General Washington was malignet
and secretly opposed by designing off
GERS, and Ey officialism in the govern
ment as much as Arnold was, but h,
ever stood true to his country and hi
God. An immortal man cannot affort
to assassinate his own manhood in orde
to overthrow his personal opposers.
The man who cannot stand the pres
sure of trial, of false friends. OF want
ignominy and devils, is not the mai
God wants in his company of immortals
Men m st learn TO endure hardness, a
good soldiers of Jesus Christ, in battle
oft, in prisons, in prosecutions, the,
must know that all these Affections vii
rebound to the glory of tod and the no
bility of character. Paul revolutionize
the world from his dungeon; Bunya
from his prison and Jesus from Hi
, cross. We must be willing to die to be
come worthy to live; willing to he hum
bled before we are exalted. This is tn
Divine rule to be observed by traveller
on the pathway to glory.
Let men walk over your~body, trea
/ down your reputation, destroy your in
| terests, social and financial, and whe
they have you in the dust. thinkin
they have destroyed you, like the gfea
Apostle, after being many times lef
for dead, you will rise and be going
stronger and grander than ever before
If you are right with God. you need nc
worry about your standing among tn
r multitudes of mankind.
1t is said that, when Arnold came
! die, at the age of Sc years, 20 year
after the betrayal of his country. hi
mind was upon the battle fields of tn
: Revolution in which he had been er
gagged. He called for the old unifoi n
J worn on the morning of his escape
e tine British lines and exclaimed, "Le
I me die in my. old American uniform
r God forgive me for ever putting on al
: other" This would indicate that, {
last, Arno had found peace with h
;, God. whom he had betrayed, as well 1
q his countrymen.
J; General Grant suffered in a simil,