Macon Intelligencer

Van Buren Speculators.

It appears from intimations in several quarters, that sundry of the Government officers, including the highest in rank and members of the Cabinet, have been or are somewhat extensively concerned in land speculations. The precise extent we do not undertake to define; but they seem to be of a character worthy to be regarded as of a demoralizing and vicious tendency.

Such speculations have been complained of against the people. But if the practice is reprehensible in private citizens, how much more so is it in high officers of the General Government? We have seen the distresses of 1836-7, attributed by the President in his messages, and by his partisans in all their writings and addresses, to the mania of speculation, and arguments attempted to be deduced from the circumstance to advance favorite measures. But did the honest people of the country suspect while the public magistrates were warning citizens of the evils of speculation, that those very exemplary magistrates and officers were themselves deeply and extensively embracing the "evil" they so gravely denounced? That they were dissuading others from speculation in order that they might have wider scope and greater profits for themselves? We know that the people did not suspect these things, and would have been disposed to attribute charges of such proceedings to the heat of party spirit. But all men cannot visit Corinth. All the people in the United States cannot hear or witness the things which may be observed at Washington. We wish they could. For the same reason that many of the officeholders become opposition men, viz: the reason of their becoming familiar with the characters and conduct of the men in power, would there be a very general expression of surprise and condemnation.

We cannot put our fingers positively upon the speculations that have been alluded to. But we know so much of circumstances going to prove them, that nothing but the most direct and positive testimony could shake our belief upon the subject. We believe, for example, that a member of the Cabinet has received or had tendered to him $50,000 worth of stock in a certain Land Company, to be paid for in political and official services at Washington. We believe that our Government officers residing in this city, whose position gives them an advantage over the people of the country, have amassed fortunes, by speculating in public lands, contracts, &c., conniving with others to promote the object and avoid discovery. This is true, perhaps, to a still greater extent, of the land officers of the West. In fine, we believe a large portion of the Federal officers just corrupt enough to do any thing that is practicable or convenient to promote their own interest-neglecting their duties and defrauding the people. We are not alone in our knowledge, nor in our belief. The Springfield Illinois Journal, for example, intimates, that the great opposition of Attorney Gen. Butler to the confirmation of the Bourbon claim at Chicago, was because of his own interests in another large tract adjoining the town, the value of which would be greatly enhanced if this claim was kept out of market. It also intimates that the President is probably, interested in the same claim. The Journal says that the interest of the President "in the town of Oswego is a matter of public notoriety." If true, it is not as notorious as, judging from the reports we have heard, it should be.

* Another paper at Vicksburg, Mi., a known supporter of Mr. Van Buren, in speaking of this subject, in reference to some of the Cabinet advisers, remarks:

"If it be true as we have reason to suspect, that they have sold their official influence to some of those Boston and New York land companies for a certain portion of the spoils, they ought to be dismissed at least."

"We should like to see an investigating committee appointed for every State in this Union to examine into the swindling transactions of federal officers, cheating poor Indians of the lands, getting wretches to swear titles for them and the identity of Indians. By probing out and exposing the various tricks by which federal officers monopolize the public domain, and in a year or two make fortunes, the administration and the people would be benefited, and avarice, corruption and profligacy properly rebuked."

We should like to see these "swindling transactions" properly exposed, although we doubt if even the most "awful disclosures" of the vilest profligacy and corruption would produce any sensible effect upon the trained bands that uphold the administration. Mr. Calhoun never spoke a severer truth, than when he declared that to prove corruption and abuse only STRENGTHENS the administration in the affection of that powerful disciplined corps, which is the main support of those in power, and which has unfortunately established so commanding an influence over public opinion."

The Report of the Investigating Committee, which contains evidences of negligence, connivance and fraud enough to sink a dozen administrations, is a monument of this truth. Madisonian.