Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-05-31
The patrio,ic Piunderers.

I
rality and virtue, no less than to the pecuniary
interests of the country, to smoke out the parties
who, under pretence of patriotism, are actu-
ally plunderng the Government Of its borrowed
means for their own private advantage In
time like the present, when the Government
credit is at discount of fourteen per cent and
when immense sacrifices must be made TO pro
cure the means to carry on the war, it is q burn
ing shame that parties in the confidence OF the
Administration shall be allowed to pocket
large per centage of the money appropriated for
purchasing supplies and providing material for
eaupping our armies and sustaining them in
the field
If men holding high places in the public con-
6dence, and occupying positions of intimacy with
the Government officials, have no patriotism or
principle to restrain them from robbiDg the peo-
ple of the moneys procured at enormous sacrifi.
ces for patriotic purposes, the finger of shame
should be pointed at them, in manner to make
them shrink abashed from the dishonorable un
dertakings in which they are enlisted. 1t was
for the exclusive purpose of driving them from
this position, aud of relieving the Governmentlof
the harpies thus preying upon its substance, that
we first directed the public attention to the sub
iect, and we are happy to know that our re-
marks have met with the approval Of honest
men. l. is an ungracious task thus to be COM
pelled, in the discharge of our duty, to direct
the attention of the public to the peculations
and depredations of men who have stood high In
political and social circles, and who, even now,
get credit for public spirit on account Of their
liberal contributions and services in behalf Of
the expenses and preparations for the war.
1t is impossible that the Government at Wash
ington can be ignorant oil all the transactions OF
the character 10 which we have alluded. The
men who are iattening upon the plunder thus
gathered from the public treasury, are in con-
slant communication with leading Government
oficials-are in some instances the intimate per.
sonal and political friends Of members of the
Cabinet and their most trusted adylsers,-
| It requires large mantle of charity to believe
that their services as Government brokers are
not known and winked at in high quarters.
II is interesting to notice the versatility oil &C.
MUS which these patriotic thieves 1--WE cannot
well use a softer term) seem TO possess. Al
though bred to politics and eingle profession
the law, the countiDg-room, the shop or-we
regret to say 1.-THE editorial service, they are
ready for any emergency, and prepared to pur-
chase or charter ships, eupply droyes Of fat (or
leon) cattle, furnish an army with clothing
boots, shoes, &c., provide horses, harness and
equipments generally, for artillery and cavalry
4
| TO be paid for out Of the public funds, of which
o large per centage, In the shape of direct
brokerage or illicit stealings, is sure to 60 into
their pockets In fact, they are ubiquitous, now
here, next at Washington, then back to New
York, travelling night and day, and going
through any amount Of labor. to compass the
end, which, under the name Of patriotism, they
keep steadilyin view, viz, enriching themselves
at the public expense. NJ DVI ileN :
We have expressed the opinion that it'would
be difficult wholly TO cure this great evil at the
present time. II is, however, within the power
Of the Government officers greatly to abate It,
| and we but express the common opinion when
we declare our belief that they must do this OF
share In the uneDviable estimation In which thu
guilty ones are held by the public. II is idle
for the dsbursing officers and the authorizes
agents of the Government to plead Ignorance
Of the facts. They are known on the street
and denounced everyvhere, The people begir
70 inquire why they shall be taxed, either BY
assessment, or as contributors to the patriotic
fund, for the support Of q rotten and corrupt sys
tenn Of government expenditureI They are will
ing to pay for equipping the volunteers or sup
porting their families, but they revolt at thu
idea Of supporting q lot Of political plunderers
such 40 now fatten atthe public cost. We have
no sympathy with that sentimental morality
which, while acknowledging the existence Of the
evil, deprecates any public exposure Or 1t, until
the war 10 over That Is TO encourage and col
lude with the plunderers. We have In part &C
complizhed the objective bad in view /, IN fixing
the public attention upon the evil. II the Gov
ernment will at once do its share, by institutine
rigid and careful system OF conducting its af-
fairs, Il may be cut up root and branch.-N. Y
Journal Of Commerce.. :, ,,-, u, "a 80, ,-,.,