The Placer herald., 1862-03-15

field of strife, but all those who clandestinely
and steathily suck the life-blood from us in the
mighty struggle"
Yet, in the face of these disgraceful and inta-
nous disclosures, there are men in Congress
who defend and try to shield and retain in office
the parties who have committed these astounding
frauds. For party purposes they wish to cover
up the villainy OF the guilty parties. What
care they for the distresses of the country, u
plundered Treasury bankrupt Government.
so long as their friends are enriched by swind-
ling contracts? The Washington correspondent of
the Union says:
''ln the Senate. Nesmth. of Oregon let fall
some bitter allusiOns to the facilities afforded
spectators and those who are coming the life's
blood and patriotism Of this country into filthy
dollars and putting them in their pockets. He
believed there arc such men in the confidence of
this Government AS Nesmith is u member of
the Military Committee, his remarks created no
little sensation. They were meant to apply to
the Secretary of War. The next day it was the
turn Of Secretary Weles TO be visitel with a
like rebuke, couched in less equivocal terms.
Hale. of New Hampshire, Chairman Of the
Committee on Naval Aaairs, reported resOlu
tion for the construction of twenty iron clad
steam gunboats for the use of the Navy, with
the unanimous recommendation of the Commit
tee that instead of the S cretary of the Navy,
the President be authorized to construct. by
contract or otherwise, twenty iron clad steam
SuHDo"'S' Ill SuppOl1 vi tiiC plopOoCu .tIHCHu-
ment the Senator very frankly stated that the
reason for it is found in the facts that detail
ed in report of o Select Committee of the
House of Representatives in which is set FORTH
with considerable minutcness, the manner in
which the public funds intrusted to Mr.. Welles
for the purchase of Government ships were used
in the city of New York. 1t was the unan-
nous opinion of the Committee on Naval Affairs
of the Senate, that it was their duty in some
way to express their dssatis faction with this
manner of disbursing the public funds, which
the Select Committee of the other House say
is exceedingly reprehenslble and demoralizing
to the public service"
Morril, of Maine vchementy opposed the pas
sage Of the amendment; and Doolittle of Wis
consn entered into an elaborate defense of the
Secretary of the Navy. in the course of which
he took occasion to lecture Hale in no gentle
terms. In conclusion Doolittle Observed
"Now, sir, this amendment, if it passes this
body. is in my judgment, such vote of censure
on the Secretary OF the Navy, that he will be
called upon to resign that position; and it comes
precisely to that whether the body with whom
is intrusted the power of impeachment shall now,
by this vote, in this way, indirectly and on ca
parte testimony. when no explanation has been
asked from him. and he has not been heard. at
once condemn him being guilty of malfcas-
ance in Office, and in fact vote for his removal.
Sir, am unwilling to do So"
The above conveys an appeal and q threat
an appeal for sympathy on the score Of condemn
ing the Secretary unhcard; and threat that he
will resi- gn and the Administration be deprived
of his inestimable services. if the Senate adopt
the amendment. Wilkinson, the Republican
Senator from Minnesota. disrcgardcd BOTH and
maniully and ndignantly, Lot to say scorntully,
replied:
Il do not agree with the Senator from Wiscon-
sin, that we are not here to oppose wrong and
corruption wherever we find it, AS for me, |
care not who the man is. what position he occu-
pies. nor where he comes from; will lift up my
hand against corruption ard wrong now and
hereafter. under all circumstances; but l hare
no hope that shall succeed, that the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs will succeed. There has
been so much c0rrnpti0n in this Government,
and it has been backballed so often in Congress,
that | have no idea there Can be any vote or any
action Of this Senate, or Of the other House,
that will condemn this stealing in high Places"
Senator Wilkinson knowing the weakness and
corruption of his party, despars of "any action"
in either House, "that will condemn this stealing
in high places!' 1t is q frank admission. and un-
fortunately for the country it is too true! With
this admission we dismiss the subject this week
Mountain Democrat.
THE ORLEANS PRINCES LEAVE FOR EUROPE.
The New York correspondent of the
Philadel phia Inquirer says:
The two Orleans Princes while in town,
were almost nightly the guests of some
prominent citizens or other up town 1t is
said that they have resigned the places they
have recently held on General Mcclellan S
staff, and are making preparations to return
to Europe. can not ascertain that any
reason is ass gned for this proceeding. apart
from the apprehension Of the Prince de Join
Vile that the United States is about to be
embroled with foreign powers, and that il
is not desirable that bis nephews should
be in a position which might necessitate
them, even in appearance, to take up arms
against France, or any ally of France. This
is rather a singular statement for the
Prince to make, under the circumstances,
but have the best reasons for knowing that
it is not more singular than true.
Reconstruct this Government and for twen-
ty wears you can never elect Republican to
the Presidency Wendell PhilAps
Republicans know that just rs we'll as
Wendell Phillips the abolitionist. The eadl
ers do..not wish for reunion, for reunion is
synonymous with the extinction of the Re-
publican party. Their great object is money,
plumber, power. A long war is their ell ysi-
um. 1t is personal wealth and political
triumph. Reunte the Union, and to day
they would be in minority in both branches
of Congress, and powerless for mischief in
the Cabinet. All their fancy schemes for
taxing, banking and plunderine would pass
away, and the men who now rule us to ruin
US would become as insignificant and power
less as the innocent victims they entomb in,
prisons. No-Democrats want Union
Union and no ''irrepressible conflict" A
Northern antslavery Republican would nat
urally be as uncomfortable in the Union our
fathers made, as Iago in heaven.
Errur r1Ir Nv The editor of ila