Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-02-16
SCOUNDRELISM.

made up theH minus that the GoVerhnleD
and the country were losing immense amounts
ofmoney IN variety of ways; but We pre-.
sume few, if any. were prepared to receive al
a fact the system of scounlrelism developed
in the last week by Col. Baker at New York
That men in the service of government ant
out of it, were degraded and demoralizoc
enough though yelling out for the Union; not
to fight the battles Of that Union, but to scei
for positions and for contracts by means o.
which to plumber and cheat the government
of money, out Of clothing. provisions, in
horses, in cattle, aud even in arms and ths
munitions of the field, we fully believed and
the people believed We and they have seen
men not worth dollar at the commencement
r Of this war, living at a fast rate, supplied
with fast horses and fine buggies, sporting
extensive sdornmentp Of gold, buying fine
houses and fine farms, some on moderate pay,
some on limited salaries and others on con-
tracts, and oil tlIis doae in the course of one
and two years. 1t was just as plain as that
twice two makes four, that this was being
done on stealings, and not on honest legitimate
pay or gains. The people knew that there
/, was scoundrelsm abroad in the land in such
matters and felt assured that officials must
have hand in it. +'5 ~
The honest tax payers of the ccnniry had
made up their minds to endure all this sort of
yiundcripg. believing that the life Of the
nation demanded Ill the time and energies Of
thc high officers Of the Government SO EN-
tirely. as not to allow them to scrutnize COM
parativeIy small plunderings The people
did believe that settling day would come for
these petty traitors within our lincs, for he
who robs the government of the means OF
cheats it in the mentions required to carry
on this war, is afording aid and comfort to
the rebels in arms. That when this g cruel
war is over Comptrollers, Auditors &c 4,
would he oycrhauling old accounts and open
ing them up into nem sores. and that many
who Row - clothed in a little brief authority
or Opportunity Pcacok-likc strut around and
treat with apparent seorn and contempt,
honester and better men than themselves, will
be stripped alike of their /" feathers and their
pride and at the same time of their i'll gotten
gains, to be taught in some Penotentiary the
method Of acquiring an honest living. Some
of these gentry we have seen rnysteriously
take their departure from our midst with per-
hnps the soltrnn if not gratifying conviction
that the places which have known them
shall know thcla no more" for some time. 1t
is indicative that pop goes tao weasel, and
the ferrets arc at work. Work on "blnd
mole" for we have no doubt yonr lnbors will
not 90 unrcwardcd, even in cur midst.
The developments coming to- light by the
skillful manpulations of Col. Baker have
struck the country with amazcment snd
horror. Amusement that tine demoraizatious
of the times has so speedily Matched such full
iedgcd and finished scoundrels, as are here
brought to light. things in human shape
whose daily existence and hourly, tboTght it,
Notwithstanding. the voc and ruin which
surrounds them to widen and deepen that woe
and ruin by plundcring the poor man, who
called by his country to defend her cause
makes every sacrifice to furnish another in
his stead that his strong arm may be spared
to protect from want, from insults, from
nh ], ,,nndn
dependent on the labor and skill Of his hands
Horror at the imagination Of She hidden snare
and dangers which have so far proved unsuc-
eesssul in working out the destrnetion Of our
beloved land. Horror at the idea shat our
country surtnrcs in her Bosom swch W.
carratc Dsrils who when every honest patriot
is devotins bis bsst energies to save ear
armies from The po.er Of the hosts of treason
and excrting his energies to supply the place.
and vindicatc The blood Of thousands of fallen
heroes, that feuds in hasan shape with the
starved victims of rebel karbarity rafting
their saplcss bones in their ears go on daily
cheating the government wits men of straw"
Ceves forgive US the word, fill our armies
with men Of paper" We should have said.
Our Legislature has just passed another
four million boanty bill which, perhaps they
would no. have done in its present shape,
had they been in possession of the facts sxace
brought to light By tho researches of Colonel
Baker Shall this too 60 to- Gil the Unsuitable
nav Of these Internal Nyenas, and our brave
defenders in the deld agaiA be cheated out Of
the expected needed help? Werk on Col.
Baker, visit our State speedily. We, too. have
meat for thy tooth, and we will beseech the
powers that govern 10 convert sly eagle. into
s.Star'' for tbu hast jescrvedly and well won
it. And Father Abraham We admoDish thee to
=. grid up thy Coins" take thy s'conI into thy
baud, yea even the 'swosl of Gideon and
sniite these wrong doors hip aud thigh until
there shall be not one of. them left in TIC
land smite thcni both great and SHALL.