Delaware gazette. (Wilmington, Del.) 1837-1883, 1861-06-01

The press owes il to the cause of public morali-
y and virtue, less than to the pecuniary inter
osts OF the country, to smoke 0gt the parties who,
under pretonse Of patriotism, actually plumber
ing the Government Of its borrowed means for
their own private advantage. In a time like the
present, when the Government credit is at dis
count of fourteen per cent, aud when immense
sEcrthees must be made TO procure the means To
carry on the war, u is a burning shame that par
ties in the confidence OF the Administration shall
DO allowed to pocket large percentage Of the
money appropriated for purchasing supplies and
providing material for equipping our armies aud
sustaining them in the held.
II men holding high places In the public conf
denee, and occupying positions Of intimacy with
the Government officials, have no patriotism or
principle TO restrain them FROM robbing the people
oi the moneys procured vt enormous sacrifices Tor
patriotic purposes, tho finger of shame should be
pointed at them in a manner TO make them shrink
abashed from the dishonorable undertakings IN
which they are enlisted. IL was for the exclusive
purpose OF driving them from this position and Of
relieving the Government Of the harpies thus prey
Ing upon Its substance, that We first directed the
public attention to the subject and we are happy
TO know that our remarks have met with the APP
prOVal of honest mon. IL is ungracous task
thus to be compelled 10 the discharge efour duty,
TO direct the attention Of the public to the pecula-
| lions and deprodatiOns of mon who have stood high
in political and social circles, and who, even now
got credit for public spirit account of their lib
oral contributions and services In behalf Of the ex
penses and preparations for the war.
II is impossible that the Government at Wash
ngton can be ignorant fall the transactions oil
tho character to which we have alluded. The men
who are fattening upon the plumber thus gathered
from the public Treasury, arc 10 constant commu-
nioation with leading Government oficials,--ars
in SOME instances tho intimate personal and politi
cal friends Of members Of the Cabinet and theil
most trusted advisers and il requires a large man
In hal Nhasr 1nN
ernment brokers arc not known and winked ut il
high quarters.
IL ieinterssiing 10 notice the versatility Of geniu
which these patriotic thieves Eve cannot well ns'
a softer term) seem to possess. Although bred il
politics and single profession-the law, the eoun
ting room, the shop or-we regret TO say it, th'
editorial serVice,--they are ready for any emery
ENJOY, and prepared to purchase or charter ships
supply droves of fat Tor ean) cattle, furnish al
my with clothing, boots, shoes, &C., provide hors
es, harness and equipments generally, for artillery
and cavalry service, and generally - do or fur
nish any thing to be paid for out of tho publi'
funds, OF which large percentage, In the shape o.
direct brokerage or Illicit steangs, is sure to e
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 steadily
In view, viz, snriching themselves at tho public
pense.
We nave expressed the opinion that II would bt
difficult wholly to this great evil the pres
emit time. 1t is however within the power of th,
government officers groatly to abate it, and WI
but express the common opinion when we deelar,
our belief that they must do this or share in thu
unenviable estimation in which the guilty ones ar,
held by the public. 1t is idle for the disbursing
officers and the authorized agents of the Govern
ment to plead ignorance Of the facts. They ar
known on the street, and denounced everywhere
The people begin to inquire why they snall DO tax
ed either by assessment or as contributors to thu
patriotic fund, for the support Of rotten and cor
rupt system Of government expenditure. They arr
willing to pay for equippng the volunteers Or sup
porting their families, but they revolt at the ide
of supporting lot of political plunderers, such
now fatteu at the public cost. We have no sympa
thy with that sentimental morality which, Will
acknowledging the existence ofthe evil, depreoate
any public exposure of it, until the war is over
That is to encourage and collide with the plum
derers We have in part accomplished the objeo
we had in view in fixing the public attention up
on the evil. If tho Government will at once do il
share, by instituting rigid and careful system
Of conducting Its affairs, itmay be cut up root
branch.