Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-11
CorrupdOn OF the Lincoln Admins.
rFaffon.
From the EeH York Tines, July ,.

From the New York Times, JuIy3.
THE WAR DEPARTNgNT-AS INQUIRY WANTED
It is idle to attempt a suppression Of the fact
that the public universally regards the administers
ton Of the War Department as surrounded with
corrupt influences. Contracts have nOtcriOusly
been made in disregard Of all the usual dictates Of
prudence and economy. Transports have been
hired at monthly rates double the entire value of
vessels; arms snd munitions have been bought &C
prices which only cease to seem excessive when We
learn that onefourth the cost passed into the pOck
ct of the purchasing agent; the most worthless Of
trash has been received from favories and paid for
if fully up to contract requirements and in ey-
cry transaction connected with our Wsrlike prepa-
rations of the Government there has been the taiat
of speculation and dishonesty. For these pheuome-
na, the Chief eff the War Department. IS popularity
regarded responsible, and, at all events, upen
hun viii rest the responsibility Of dispFOYng them
Preeedents may very easily be found to warrant
q certain amount Of prOfiigacy in the early efforts
at war Of g peaceful people. capacity takes the
field before pstriOtism, and IS slow TO leave r.
There are inDUmerable personal friends Of those
having wealth 20 distribute, WhCse friendship upon
profitable occasions becomes exceedingly and even
pertinaciOnsly demOnsrFative, and whose ardor can
only be cooled by extraordinary concessions. Con
tractors make their way through back doors, with
golden keys; polticslsupport6r have private claims
TO be paid for at tie public cost; attention
has 10 be given to securing the utmost possible re-
turn IN personal and political services. such temp
tations 70 fCrgetfuness Of the public good are sell
dom resisted, and the opportunity for dispensing
patronage vast is employed with an average GER
tainty Che commencement Of every contest Ike
the PTeseHt. IL was unfortunate for the Secretary
OF War that he came "a his office with reputation
not free from repFoach. Old charges Of da1nag-
ing character, though perhaps without evidence 10
sustain them, had followed him for years; ard il
was known beside that his pecuniary interests ran
IN many directions, and were generally bold EEd
speculative. it required more than ordinary cir
CamspectOn, therefore, in the administration Of his
Office to escape without suspicion the severe scru
uny such antecedents would provoke; and il must
be confessed the Secretary hss exhibited Tar less Of
tha quality than was to be expected from man Of
his practical shreTdness. A POI lflaF impression,
ment, has been created By the obvious swindling
and plunderIBg 70 which We have alluded. If, "a
we desire 70 believe, and demand 70 have proved,
II true, Mr. Cameron is no party to these shameful
transactions and is unaware Of their existence the
Administration is suffering to degree which may
be fatal to It's success, from very unjust but gen
eFal prejudice.
Congress is about to be asked for indefinite nil
lions to be disbursed mainly through the War De-
partment. Before granting dollar, Congress must
institute such Investigations will leave doubt
upon the popular mind TO its honest expenditure.
The extraordinary powers cOnfded TO the Execu-
tive must not be abused. The suspicion that the
national enthusiasm ia employed by bad and reek-
less men for self sggrandizenent must be removed.
Until certainty is attained upon these points, it Is
safe to say loan will be received with any sort
IF favor in the money market; and no reliance can
be placed upon q continuance Of that great popular
impulse, the cessatiOns Of which must be the dssO.
utioD of the Government. IL IS due 70 the people.
TO the Administration, and especially due 20 the
at War. that these limitations Of corrup.
ion be thoroughly examined and cleared up.