Speculating in blood.
The remark attributed to a Federal prisoner that the war found its chief support at the North among speculators, who were making money by large contracts and otherwise, has much foundation in truth. Fanaticism, sectional hate, the desire to vindicate its courage, and above all, the determination to hold on to Southern trade, exert great influence in keeping alive the war spirit, but it is the speculators who form the watching and working element of all these powerful combinations, who derive the most, and, in fact, the only direct advantage of any party from the war, and who, therefore, never relax their vigilance, nor permit others to relax it, and who leave no stone unturned to keep in active operation an enterprise which every day puts money in their purse.It is a popular fancy that mankind are universally endowed with a conscience, but we should like to see the magnifying glass that would bring to light the existence of the bump of conscientiousness on the head of men who trade in human blood What more could device do than they do, and yet, such is the self-complacency and self delusion of human nature, they are not only satisfied with themselves, but delighted with the opportunity of growing rich in that way. The wretched criminal who, for the sake of money, murders a single victim, is consigned to the gallows; but the sleek and well-fed speculators, who, from the same motive are accessory to the murder of tens of thousands, never reproach themselves for their conduct, plume themselves upon their blood stained treasures, and are respectfully recognized by society as the ‘"solid men"’ and ‘"upper ten"’ of the land.
The slaughter of army after army of the Yankees brings only delight and satisfaction to their speculators. When they hear of a Yankee defeat they are almost as much pleased as the Confederates, because there must be a new army to equip and supply. The destruction of a fleet is a perfect godsend to them. They would not have ‘"the rebellion"’ crushed out speedily if they could. The longer it lasts the better for them. They are not without hopes of transmitting to their posterity, as a rich inheritance, their interest in putting down the rebellion. The untold agonies of the war only add to their wealth and happiness. Every death groan represents to them a certain number of greenbacks, and the more death groans the higher and broader swells that attractive pile.
Men with consciences would not live in one of the luxurious establishments of these successful traders in blood if they could. They would fancy a red stain and a corpse-like smell upon every article of furniture; an uninvited apparition would present itself at every sumptuous feast; every night wind would sound ‘"blood, blood,"’ in their cars, and around the richly tapestried couch would peep forth from the darkness a thousand ghastly faces.--the faces of the miserable victims out of whose butchery they had waxed fat and great.--None but men utterly destitute of moral sense--‘"marble-hearted fiends"’ in human shape — could be happy and comfortable upon wealth thus gotten.
In our own country we have speculators also, and although they have no influence in carrying on the war, they are as callous and cruel, to the extent of their opportunities, as their Yankee allies. The monstrous act, of extortion now practiced in the South could never be committed by men with human hearts. The sufferings, and perhaps deaths, which will occur this dreary winter among the poor, will be directly chargeable to the speculators and extortioners, who, for their own base gains are crushing the community to powder. Alas, for the poor! In every country and every age they seem destined to be the helpless prey of avarice and ambition.
