Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-13

D0uQld6 uttG poor. he lfcQ IN an age remafk-
able for speculation, frauds and peculation. which
seemed like epidemies, not only IN the General,
but in the State Governments Not confined 70
our own country, but most Of the Governments
of Europe have felt its whitening blight. The
country is familiar with the records of the frauds
upon the English Government, growing out of
the Crimean war, as they have been exposed bJ
the Press and Parliament of Great Britain. The
war carried on by Austria, Italy, and France, has
developed some OF the most gigantic schemes of
speculation, amounting % millions Scarcely
Government, or a city, stands without record
exposing either indirect dishonest speculations, or
open frauds
In our own country we do not seem to be fully
aware Of the extent to which these things have
been carried. The records of the amount of
morey made. directly and indirectly, in the pur-
chase and sale of Navy Yards and Military sites.
in schemes relating to Ocean Steamers and Nail
service, Public Buildings, Texas Scrip, Stocks,
Grants of Lands for Railroads, Locations Of
Towns and Cities in connection with the infiu-
ence thereby effected in the State Legislatures of
the country, would, If fully exposed, strike the
nation with astonishment
A suit is now pending in the District Court of
the United States of Wisconsin, concerning the
La Cross and Milwaukee Railroad Company
Among the facts brought TO light, by this suit is
that of the issuing of two hundred and fffv
/ tuOucdDu uOudTS OF, WIFI Justly called Cor
ruption Bonds-the proceeds of which were used
by State Senator for "defraying sundry ex-
! penses incident to procuring grant of lands
from Congress for the continuation of certain
railroads, &c. The distinguished Senator raised
a large sum of money on these Bonds; and, up-
on an investigation of this Bribery Fund, the
sage Senator declared that, in disbursing the
same to certain persons, he remained "purposely
ignorant" as to their Names and could not, or
would not, expose them.
The legitimate effects of these examples were
seen in the decline of public morals and financial
honesty, and in the impulse given to reckless
schemes of speculation all over the country.
We may form faint idea of the effect of these
schemes, when we remember that single share
in the stock of Superior City was said to be
worth sixty thousand dollars ten days before the
panic of 1857, and could not have been sold, a
month afterwards, for one-tenth of that sum.
The example set by the General Government,
and by some Of those who were officially con
nected with it, has extended itself, ike a raging
mania, to the different State. county, and local
Governments. Hence, during the last twenty
years, defalcations, and plundering of local,
State. and official moneys, have been common
occurrences. They have become common,
/ that the deialcation of million of dollars by a
public servant, under the State or General Gov
eminent, does not create half the interest or ex-
|
of the Republic, when Tobias Watkins was
charged with small defalcation, not amounting
to FIVE thousand dollars.
This depression is made, because / believe the
present unhappy condition of our once united and
prosperous people may be traced, either directly
or indirectly to this state of things. Sudden and
overgrown fortunes have been followed by inhu-
ences the most pernicous TO the peace and hsppi
ness of the country Corrupt conventions; mis-
men to places of honor and profit in violation OF
the will of the people; the press in many instan-
ces the mere echo of the sentiments of dishonest
men; promise of Office to worthless Office seek
ers; many departments of the National and State
Governments filed by men who have winked al
gross frauds and populations; and, at this very
hour, to add to the deep gloom which surrounds
our people. there is restless uneasness which
arises from the want of confidence IN the dis
bursements and expenditures OF the public mon
eys. Yea, more-reports made by the present
Congress, and evidence of the most reliable char
acter. are unfolding system of unparalleled
frauds upon the national finances connected with
the war. The good man is heard exclaimine
throughout the land, We shall not succeed il
putting down this infamous rebellion until these
things are remedied.
From these practices let us turn to contem
plate the character and example of him whose
memory we have assembled to honor. Com
mencing public life in poverty, living many year.
on scanty means. called by the voice of his fel
low citizens to fill the most important and deli
cate positions, having more to do with the organ
ization of the Territories and the disposition o.
the public lands than any man of his day, with
opportunities to anass fortune by means which
were regarded as honorable by many of the poll
ticians of the times, actively engaged in all the
great political contests Of the last twenty years
and constantly the object Of the most bitter de
nunciations-yet, amidst the excitement and fur,
of conflicts in which all classes and parties o
men felt the whitening influence of attacks upon
their characters, not ,chisper Of suspicion tra,
eper uttered against the integrity Of Douglas, o.
his fidelity 10 the Government or 10 The citizen. III,
had thousands of enemies, but not one accuser.
Douglas was partsan:-But he never wore
his party uniform when his country was in dan
GER His life fully exemplifes the truth of this
sentiment Among his early and faithfully cher
shed doctrines there is one which asserts there il
not enough this continent for another Goo
ernment, either Republican or Monarchical Ii
his mastery defense of this doctriae, and in al
the exciting contests in which he bore prominent
part during his eventful public life-whether those
contests were in relation to the Mexican war, the
northeastern boundary, the national rights witt
respect to Oregon, or to any other great contest
involving the national interests-his efforts were
invariably stimulated and controlled by an arden
and elevated love of country The last great Ell
fort of his life was in accordance with his whole
previous history. His patriotism taught him &c
standby the flag of the Union, in prosperity or il
adversely. His love OF country was paramount
to all party platforms.
How many of our public men, in the grea
struggle of this day, when the existence OF the
Government is deeply imperied and its mighty
heart throbs for vitality, are silent and ndiffer
ent. How many, in these times which try
mems souls, act as if the war in which the
country is engaged, were matter OF secondary
consideration They seem to take more Interest
in the political complexion OF Legislature, or a