The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-07-09
MaItiiHsaEi. Theory-Migh Price Of
Provisions.

| EEOV1S1OmSs
Some centuries ago Malihus advanced
the strange theory that the time would come
when the earth would be so densely popu.
lated that the soil could not produce food
enough for the people, and that the famine
and cannibslism in,heir most hideous forms
would follow. Such a calculation would
naturally be based upon an Increase of the
human family throughout the world mere
prolific than in China, where the ,eeming
millions cultivate every inch Of ground, and
depend upon articles for food which more
civilized nations look upon with loathing and
disgust. ~
When we look arouhd us and nee, the en-.
ormous high prices at which everything we
consutle is selling, we are almost forced to
the conclusion that there is sokE reason in
MuIthus' speculations, vague Os they appear
to have been nregarded heretoiore.y Aye, and
that in 'spite Of the millions Of acres of this
vast domain into which the plough.share,
spade or pick has never penetrated--in the
face Of the fact that there is bread and meat
enough for all. y, =,
But Il starvation evertaks the people of
this country, it will not be on account of q
scarcity of food, strange as it may SEEM
II will be the triumph Of the non. producing
speculator over the laboring man, who can
no longer Successfully bear up against the
inordinate demands Of the former.
The man who has been feeding his little
flock on the best the market affords, sees
just as great. quantity Of the necessnlies Of
life as ever, but he is awe.stricken at the
price, and asks, how in the name of wonder,
Aohr, meat and vegetables can command
more than double the prices they did lesi
than. ten years ago. We propose tc give
an explanation according to our views.
The cry Of scarcity will not DO. In the namt
Of Him who provides food and raiment fo
the humun family, we protest against sucl
an ubholy lie for robbing the poof man, ant
draining the, ,llss blood from his veins. 1
is the rag fer speculation, which lie Ede
mon brooding in darkness, has fastened it
self upon our fair land.
The immense yield Of gold In California
and brought to the Atlantic States, has en-
richsd many. So far 60 good-bul the evi
of it consists in its creation of thirst fol
speculation damnable in its mldest feature.
to every honest laboring man. Ore day j
is in land--next day it is in the necessa
ries of he. The idle capital is thus fofev
er in the market TO sap the vitals of the
poor man. To-day the crops look little
unprcmising- tomorrow the spectators afs
in the market, and -four goes up few dSl'
lars on the barrel. Nor will it 60 down
again for month, although an entire change
has taken place, and the prospect for Eeavy
crop was never better. q. :,
When we compare the prices paid for
labor to those paid for the necessaries oi
life, we are really at a loss to know how
some people manage to make both ends
meet. Just at the present. time it takes q
mechanic week to earn barrel of -four
and few OF them can earn the price of a
bhshel Of potatoes in a day. Everything
else-su.ar, coffee, meat and fish-is gdual.
ly steep in price, so that it almost goads one
to desperation to be compelled to pay such
high prices with the full knowledge that il
is no longer the old basis of supply and
demand which regulates prices, but demand
alesse. -.
Nor do we think that the prospects for the
future any better-albeit we dislike to in
dulge in the gloomy forebodings. With the
most promising prospects of large yield o
everything, 'some things are still actually
advancing in price, and will continue SO
just SO long as the consumers. outnunbe
the broaGsers, and coonbinatfohiSS are foimet
and tolerated among the former for control
ling the sale 81. anything IN which they mal
wish " speculate. - = 'tfF"+"s~ t,':i,,,
Having thus given d REASON, we should al
SO like to give advice as to what should b.
done in the premises but, we confess gtf "a
ability to do SO, farther than to SOY, let fHbO
: be considered dignifed and honoTable-le
,illing Of the soil be exalted above all o,he
occupations. and lei the risihg gbSsyasoa.'b h
> taught that it is nobler to toll than to bu
, and sell for gain. Let the notion that it
+: dishonorable to labor be secuted, and letme
; place their sons in positions where they vii
feel that it is as honorable tOiProduce wh'
they consume as it is TO commune what
|, produced by the labor Of others.-H Holidays
burg (PG.) Standard.
PIlfiug Teeth.