The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-02-15
WHOLE Nc. l.072

share of public bounty. Those willing
to furnish chcaply and we'll were cast
aside, while hardware firm, Mrssrs
Child, Pratt & Fox, were allowed to
furnish nearly 100000 without tho
formally of fixing the price in advance,
they procuring from the very men who
offered to supply Government, and at
the offered prices, while they charged
an advance of twenty-five to fifty per
cent. Men in league with Quartermas-
ter McKinstry and his inspectors would
first extort from the honest farmer, and
then unblushingly rob from the Treasury.
In building the forts at St. Louis, moro
than 100000 was squandcred upon
proaigate, unprinciplcd favori>es.
These plundcrers, some imported from
California, and some for a long while in
the employ and receiving food and
raiment from the Government, gathered
around the person of Fremont, and suf-
tered none to approach him too nearly.
| Quartermaster McKins.ry was the
high priest at this festival of robbery
and crime; man who had for many
years been in the regular service of the
United States man furnished by the
Administration to the Department of the
West, which was supposed to be a guar
anty for his faithfulness and integrity
trusting confdingly, Fremont watched
not closely. do not pretend that
Fremont shared the spoils with Child,
Pratt Il Fox, or McKinstry, any more
than /, for a moment, believe that Sec
rotary Welles shared the enormous
profits of his brotherin-law. 1t is no
excuse to say that the magnitude Of this
rebellion, huge in proportion, the impen-
ding danger casting dark shadows over
our national pathway and threatening
the nations life, was justification for
allowing the exercise of unlicensed
cupidity. Without doubt, generals and
Cabinet ministers have bowed down
beneath the weight of increasing respon-
sibility; but this reckless horde we're
undermining the very ground on which
they trod.
The soldier who, borne down by
disease and overcome with fatigue, is
found sleeping at his post, you punish
with death while the miscrcan5 VINO
holds his fcs ival at this carnival of
blood, rides in his carriage, drinks cham
payne, and dimes with Cabinet ministers,
you treat with defercntial respect. DO
you say Government cannot bauish
treason and punish crime
On The 18th of July, 1860, at Occoquan,
Va, Mr.. Underwood raised pole,
uufurlcd The American flag; and banner
with the names of Lincoln and Hamlln.
jackson, the slayer Of Ellsworth, with
about forty men, cut it down, tore up
the Stars and Stripes, and carried the
banner as tropy. One of the ringlead-
ers of that mob is this day in the employ
of the Government in this city.
The laboring men who testify against
officials are removed, willie the wretch
who has been robbing the Government is
worthy place. Is it possible that this
monstrous system Of wrong, extending
from the Atlantic to the Mississippi,
from the Potomac to the Lakes, cannot
be stopped.
Some men among us talk of compro-
mise and peace none desire peace more
than we. Let these men not impor.une
us we have not provoked nor encoura-
ged this war. Let them go TO the
Rebels, who stole our guns, unlimbered
them, fred upon our fort and dissraced
the flag. Let them 60 to the men who arc
floating the black flag of treason almost
in sight of the Capitol. Let them 60 to
the men who make night hidcohs with
dcmonac shrieks of disunion over the
grave where the bones of WASHINGTON
are Wondering. Let them 60 to Rich
mond and ask the Rebel crew to pull
down the Confederate banner and float
the Stars and Stripes IN its stead over
our Gus :om-house and post-ofice. LEI
them go TO Charleston and New Orleans,
roll themselves in sackcloth and ashes,
and ask that the ensign of their fathers
shall float in their ports. Let them do
this, and we will have peace. We ask
} for no more we will submit to no less.
Let them do this, and the sword Of every
, Northern soldier will be returned 10 its
scabbard, and he will no longer pray to
teach Ills hands to war and his fingers 70
fight.