, 1863-01-23
TRADE WITH TEE REBELS.

we are glad to notice some slight de-
crease in the la1ness OF military rule under
which the trade with the rebels in the
Southwest has grown to enormous dimen.
sions. We hail it as such, that Gen. Grant
las issued an order advancing the price Of
permits for such trade; for though the sum
Of one hundred dollars is not one at which
any Of these sharp, unscrupulous traders
will stick, it is sufficient to give permit a
character, and make the collection of the
Zee worthy the attention Of the officers in
charge
But there is something wrong about it
mt vet reached. As we understand the
purpose Of the presence Of our army in
the Southwest it is to weaken the rebels.
Practically it is and has been for tue past
year only an immense body guard to a
n,ultitudinous caravan Of merchant ad-
renturers. running in and out Of our lines,
calling themselves loyal men, but little
careful to establish the same character for
those OF whom they purchase cotton. For
the rebels it has been q harvest they :rc
wise to have only seanti1y interrupted.
Now and tEca some orcr adventurous pos
SCISSOR Of well lined purse has come 10
grief and been sent home plucked, but
generally and by far. the most
common rule has been one Of cx-
emp.ion for the cotton buyers, while
millions Of dollars were thus being poured
in upon the Confederacy, who cursed
The Yankees but pocketed Yankee gold. Is
this right? Have not loyal men - the
right to claim that this cotton,
the property Of rebels be made coz
fscatc to the government, and to be seized
10 pay war expenses? AInnifestly and
get The singular spectacle has been exhibit
cd Of the Federal army in Arkansas and
Mississippi, and the Federal fotillas on
the river doing nothing SO successfully as
,llis protection Of private cotton specula-
lions,
We say nothing now Of commanders
deaf to the calls OF duty with cotton in
their cars Of army trains given up to the
transportation Of private cotton OF re1a-
tiyes Of commanders conveniently present
to father the bargains and save the appear.
2ncc Of fshouldcr-strapped completely. We
do not say that this greed Of gain, this ac'
cursed thirst for cotton has held on,
armies. idle for long months when
work might have been done. Wt
do not charge this, but we protest
in the name Of loyal men, that it is tims
that Government look into this cotton traf
fc, and put IN end to the enornities with
which it is characterised.
When 4 traffic becomes SO profitable tha
city bankers lay aside broadcloth, and as
sumo the grimy duties Of river fi1emcn Il
be the nearer to their coveted staple, whcl
partnerships are formed and hands inter
locked across the lines Of the two armies
by which intercommunication a constan
stream of cotton pours out, it IS time t
:sk what is pouring in, and why it is pei
nnittcd. With a wonderful prccautior
many Of these merchants carry with ther
we'll filed medicine chests TO guard agains
lie diseases Of fthcregion. And VIC 1carntha
such is the low state If health among thes
men that they consume q great deal {
medicine, especially quininc. Let this h
looked to. The remedy is easy. Let a
the cotton belong Of right to the FEEDER:
Government Let its officers deal with
rs Government property, and give loy'
mcu acd taxpayers the benefit Of its sal