Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1891 — ARNOLD'S LAST DAYS. [ARTICLE]

ARNOLD'S LAST DAYS.

Who Traitor's Life on tho Othor Rido of the Oooan. AH 1 c family tradition goes to show that the last years of Benedict Arnold In Loudon were years of blttur remorse and leis-reproach. The great name which he had so gallantly won and so wretchally lost left him no repose by night or day. The Iron frame, which had withstood the fatigue of so many trying battle fields and still more trying marches through the wilderness, broke down at last under the slow torture of lost friendships and merited disgrace. In the last sad days In London, In June, 1801, the family tradition says that Arnold’s mind kept reverting to his old friendship with Washington. He had always carefully preserved the American uniform which he wore on the day when he made his escape to the Vulture; and now as, broken In spirit asd weary of life, he felt the last moments coming, he called for this uniform and put it on, and decorated himself with the epaulettes >nd sword-knot which Washington had given him after the victory of Saratoga. “Let me die," said he, “in this old uniform in which 1 fought my battles. May God forgive me for ever putting 0.. any other.” Into the story of Arnold there enters that element or awe and pity which, as Aristotle pointed out, is an essential part of real tragedy. That Arnold had been very shabbily treated, long before any thought of treason entered his mind, is pot to be denied. That he may honestly fcave come to consider the A merican cause hopeless, that he may re lly have lost his Interest in it because of the Psanoh alliance—all this Is quite possible. Such considerations might have.' Justified him in resigning his commission; or even, had he openly and frankly gone over to the enemy, much as we •hoald have deplored such a step, some persons would always have been found to Judge him leniently, and accord him the credit of acting upon principle. Hut the dark and crooked cr .rse which he Aid choose left open no alternative but thaluof unqualified condemna on.