The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-09
-Extortion is Treason.

5cdG siIoiacs4oy that the governor hS selZeu all le
mess pork in the warehouses the Of which had
advanced the price for it to fifty dollars per barre
All thanks to the governor for this resolute step! We
only wish he had seized the -four which, three months
ago the spectators had bought up and placed at full
double its usual price Fortunately the bountul crops
vouchsafed us by the Almighty forced them to aban-
don this grippe upon the public throat.
we hope he will 20 farther or, if he be inadequate
to the task that the legislature willie So conven-
ton be called if needs be, to purge US of soths who
have dropped themselves eG the community to suck
out its blood. The spirit Of uncouscienous gain per-
vades the whole trading community dare-up be-
tween druggists Syme and Communy, in the Bee,
shows that tile latter put up the price Of article
eight hundred per cent to which the other added eight
hundred per cent. moro, the former pretending, in
order to get the article that it for the army
Hardware and groceries, shoes and drygoods ad-
vanccd hundred per cent per month by the holders,
who bought their goods on a credit and too patri
otto to pay an alien enemy; but not much so to
wiring enormous profits ef the planter, mechanic,
aborer the widow and the orphan.
What makes this extortion the more peculiarly dis
gushing is that whenever cotton for the national loan,
or aid for the soldier or the free market any thing
else to be contributed for the public wcitares solicited
from the country you will find this trading class prom
incutly put forth recommending it How many com
panies have gone the to which they have con
tribued few hundred dollars, 50 that such compa
mics might bear their names while they making as
many thousands by their extortons? They manage to
be put forth in the papers the patrons and chiet
promoters Of all patriotic enterprises. They 80 on
missions to Richmond for the coed Of the army. Their
clerks 20 to the war; they givethem some money and re
ceiye a newspaper puff in payment of it. All this is
capitalize them It gives them credit 1t gives them the
confidence Of the uususpccting government and Peo-
pie II enables them to find out. what is necdtul and
Is scarce 1t instifes them III hiding away Whatever
they may have and purchasing, directly or indirectly
what they have not aud after waiting until the want
Of it compes the consumer buy at ten times its cost
to the cxtorton to enrich themselves BY impoyershins
all others
The want of means to provide transportation and
provisions for the army prevented our generals from
moving on to Washington after the battle Of Manas-
sas The want Of means prevented the navy depart
ment, long since, from commencing proper gunboats
and floating batteries TO defend coasts. The gr-
ping avarice of the monied men, and the exorton Of
the holders of supplies needed by the government and
the people, have thus prevented from following up
our victories and render exposed sea coast almost
defenceess Are we not right then, in saying that
'sextortion is treason2'
We never were the advocates Of governor Moore and
have taken objection to much of s'admuis trson,
but we most cordially approve Of is selling the pork
when unmercifu spectators had put it up to the enor
nous price of fifty dollars per Darrell The people
must be protected and suffered to sarve in pcn-
tiful country France, in times of scarcity of provi-
sons has always put price upon them to prevent pe
cuators from sucking the blood Of the masses and We
do not see why We should not profit By the praise
worthy example.
We learn by New Orleans papers of the fth instant
that Gov. Moore has released the pork he seized in
accordance with instructions from president Davis.
We arc pleased to find that several Of the leading
newspapers of this State coming to their senses Oh
the subject of home defences, etc. Sometime since
when we spoke against sending any more soldiers out
Of Louisiana-that the first law of nature self
protection-seyeral journals down upon us very
heavy for finding fault with the conduct of our rulers.
We find that cautious Journal, the New Orleans
Bulletin, now say: "Stop sending away men. Is it
from the extreme southwest? Are the interests il
this quarter equal any in the confedcraey: Is the
government going to treat the southern portion of the
great valley of the Mississippi as secondary concern
to be looked after casually with such forces as have
nothing to do elsewhere? 1t is the universal conyic-
ton in this region that men enough have been sent
from the gulf States. We observe that the governor
of Georgia has sent for several regiments from that
State to return to assist in the defcnses' Thir
/ is only the beginning Of a ''run5ling noise
What gives importance to the above extract, is that
the Bulleun has always been considered reliable
paper fully possessing the confidence of'the CONNER
cal and respectable part Of the community-not go
up in style to feed the vituated appetite of the ram
G Bic Col Seymour claims be a Georgian or Soutl
Caroan by birth-or near fifteen years, has sustain
s. ed in New Orleans, an unsullied char1cter-and a
, this time is commanding one of the regiments of Lou
It isiana volunteers absent from the State.
: The same journal SAYS I'VE would suggest that Their
z be organised at once volunteer companies compose
of men over fortyfvc years Of age, who are by ay
exempt from military duty for home defence, the con
dition being that they shall leave the city or it
! suburbs, but be held exclusively for its protection
against internal foes if any there should be- and al
other foes that should menace it. powerful and eff
Gent body Of volunteers might Eo in this way provided
d Richmond letter to the Memphis Appeal says
hereis widespread and outspoken sentiment Of di,
satisfaction here President Davis recovery is consd
cred very doubtful and many good Conederates objec
=. to having Stevens sadded upon them as president"
The Richmond Examiner says various reports, NOR
or less authentic the circumstances in which they hay
i been obtained have reached Of intended operation
On the line Of The Potomac. While we have been yer
careful to observe proper silence to any details 9
Is this subject it is improper and indeed, it is du
to the public interest mention that fully
e sured of the existence Of embarrassment prescn
2 inthc operations On the Potomac. We no ne
i cessity Of any embarrassment Of military nature
IS if as reported in semi-ofci circles division ha
J. been manifested in the cabinet the respectiv
merits Of active prosecution Of the VAT or its Goa
y tnuation onthe defensive the people shonld BE ad
ysed Of IT, 20 as to demand its instant correction
e
Recently several persons have been arrested not onl
in louisiana but other southern States travelling abou