The Camden confederate. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-19
lFoR THE CAMDEN CoNFEDERArE J
EXtOrtiOA A mOng AlpOe Dcale


In no department of industry does the extortior
now practice tell with more disastrous effect upor
the pubic and private interests than that of the shoe
dealers. While our soldiers many Of them, are march
ing over the frozen ground with tler bare feet mark
ing it with their blood, few unprincipled. men nj
nome are speculating and making fortunes upon the,
and our necessities. Eight or ten prices are charged
for shoes which cost more to manufacture now
than 1t did two years ago. save in The cost Of materials
which have by no means advanced in price sufficiently
to justify the enormous increase in the prices charged
for the manufactured articles moreover the advanced
prices OF some at least the materials used are caused
by the same spirit of extortion among the dealers
Take for instance the article Of shoe pegs. A few
months ago they were sold for few cents per quart
now dealers who had on hand when the war broke
out enough to last for years retailing the old stock
at ST. 90 per quart.
Planters aud others will find il greatly to their ad-
vantage to iuy their own leather and have it made up
at home The writer Of this has tried it leather was
bought at two doals per pound for so'e and three
dollars for upper leather. A slo, maker is now ma
knight up and it is found that the leather which cos,
twenty-five d'llars will make one hundred dollars
rth OF soes at the prices charged by the deal. rs
One dol ar per pair j. paid for making Now conside,
what profits NUT be made by him who upon the
breaking out of This disastrous war; bought ND at the
moderate prices then pr vang, all the leather he could
and to the amount of many thousands Of dollars and
who IN addition TO this, own their own shoemakers
who are making it up. We have heard Of such in
stances and have no doubt they are cpmmon
so long az the community submits to this public
robbery and encourage it, long will the dealers con.
t'nue to advance their prices and lay up enormous
fortunes, wrung from the necessities of the peope
Every man who has obtained an exemption from
military service is equally bound morally to labor at
home for the public good The man who does other
wise deserves only public eXecreton and scom We
have heard OF one who ju titled himself by saying that
las materials had advanced in pice. it was no more
than right that labw should command proportionate
advance" This reply was like the argument of the
miller, corn is so high that ought to have more
toll" r,v,,
A YANKEE WAR PRAYEE,-The prayer delivered a,
Tie opening OF Congress by Rev. Mr. Stockton, the
Chaplain OF that body is extremely good. We give
the following extract fr. m it, s
We pray that N our conflicts that just so far as
Thou see>t right Thou wilt give us victory and ad
vancemeut. Be mindful. o Lord, of the havoc and
desolaton that is falling upon The land through this
war Remember the sick and wounded and the dying
We pray for our brethren now in arms agairs st us
We thank the that is so easy for obey tbs pre-
ctpt OF our Redee7ner-lOUe your enrmiey. We cuano
cease to loOe hens May they be induced to re-
inquis the evil that is amongst them aud place high
er value on the great principles Of the charter of our
independence, and show th til regard "lfe liberty
and the pursuit of happiness" the right of all man
kind, ano as beyond all mere local aovuntases SO
that there shall be restored Unon with increased
goodness and love and glory and joy upon the earth
for ever and ever. r ~ s-,- - .s- sss ~ ~ -
NAPoIEoN's MEDrATIoN.-A dispatch from Wash
ngton TO the New York Ttbune says private advices
from one of the most eminent friends of America in
France, represent that the recent offer of mediation
ny Louis Napoleon is there regarded as tile expression
OF deliberate and matured purpose, from which the
Emperor a0iH not recede and that is considered se-
rlous blow to the Union cause in Europe and tn the
cause OF fr edom in Europe not less than in America
Republicansm is discouraged, and wears sober l.ok
and despotism truinphs in our divisi ions
Important news from Arknnsns-The
Enemy Beaten by RindmaD. :.
MONTGOMERY, ALA, December l5.-General Hind
man has had battle in Arkansas in wh,ch he sue.
ceeded in whppping the enemy, and capturing some
tour hundred pr iers The ess on both sides is re-
ported to be heavy. No particulars received.
- i~e>----g ~
The Effective Blockade
CHARLESTON, December . 7,-a mother: steamer with
CARGO f slnnes and hlankats hos arr;uad sofx, ~