Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-23
The Reign of Piunder.

At the end of the first year of the Lincoln reign
Mr. Dawes. Republican member from Massa-
chusettS, declared in the House of Representa-
lives. that so great was the corruption in the ad
ministrat0n of the Government, that it could be
shown that more money had been stolen during
the first year under Lincoln than the whole cost
of Buchanan's corrupt administration. plunder
and all. At the end of the second year, Mr.. Van
Wyck, of New York, stated in the House that
latter the lapse of two years, we find the same
system of extortion prevailing. and robbery has
grown more unbluShing in its exactions. as it
feels secure in its immunity from punishment. ani
that species of fraud that shocked the nation in
1861 has been increasing. Ninety nine
hundredths of all the frauds committed are done
by the completely and connivance of persons IN
the employ of the Government. With a
single exception, when has one Of these persons
been court martiaed or punishedl
Dir. Van Wyck Chairman of Congress
sional Committee, appointed to investigate frauds
and robberies of the Government by Government
officials and army contractors. and so strong are
the proofs of the grand system of plumber which
generally prevails, that his associate Abolition
members OF the committee attempted to suppress
any report of the vlanes which were ierreted
out by the committees Investigations and so far
succeeded to prevent a report at the late
session. 1t is stated that the rcpor. will yet be
made public, showing up a mass of official cor
ruption and systematic plumber exceeding. n the
amount tilched, and in hagrant enormity, any
thing a. the history of this or any other country
Saws the Republican Mr. Van Wyck, NINETY
nine hundredlhs of all the frauds done by com
plicity and connivance of persons in the employ
of the Government. but in single instance only
has punishment been meted out Such are the
proofs ELECTED by all previous investgatons-at
ST. Louis. at Cairo &c. We are to have another
committee of investigation. of the enormous cot
ton robberies perpetrated by 'the completely and
connivance of persons in the employ of the Gov
ernment" Millions have been stolen, but we
predict that, however strong the proof, the cu-
prits will 60 unwhipped of justice. With Dr..
O'Tooe in the play, punishment is not ga part of
the system" of honest Abe lincoln. Next TO ne
gro emancipation and the Capitalization of gov
ernmental power at Washington, at the expense
of the coustutionalIighs of the States and of the
people, the ''s' stem" is one of stupendous public
plunder. With the mass of LincOln's official pro
tegeS and their contracting coniederateS, this is
the great object of the war. Plunder is the rule
and honesty the exception. Peace would bring a
cessation of the grand "greenback" harvest OF
the superfne "loyalsts," who find in the myriad
OF officers. the patronage. the contracts. incident
to the war, incentive to that lip-patrotism which
rings the louder and the more viItuperatve as
the profits of plumber increase.
Complaint of the burdens which these villain
les impose upon the people-condemnatio by
f.eemen of these fragrant, unbluShing robberies
is to incur. from the plunder gorged satellites ol
usurped and still usurping power. their abuse
without stint Every man is marked disloyal, a
traitor to his country. who condemns the Admin
istration which has neither remedy nor punish
ment for the crimes its minions. We have Re
! publican testimony of the scandalous system
of extoTtion and robbery which prevails. At the
end of the first year Republican Representative
denounced it from his legislative place, but the
work went on, and at the end of the second veal
another Republican Representative avows thai
the corruption OF the officials Of the Government
had increased and was increasing A fact known
to the whole land. The remedy is with the peo
pie. through the ballot and he is recreant te
country and to common honesty who does not
join in every honorable effort to drive the spoilers
from place and power.-I Springfield illinois
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