Daily union appeal. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-186?, 1862-08-14
TENNESSEE MONEY.

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Never since the day that CEsAR threatened
the faithful guardian of the Roman Treasury
with decapitation has greater outrage been
committed upon the monetary affairs of any
people that is being foisted upon the people of
MemphisEo-day. Most Of her merchants have
quit business or gone South, and it would
seem that certain sharp persons who deal in
money consider the balance of the community
their lawful prey. Some writer has tritely
remarked that the dog" has been the COM
panion Of man since the creation, and in all
that time has learned but one of mans vices
namely: to "wOrry" his own species when
in distress. 1t would seem that war with its
desolating results and lamentable consequences
would fill the cup of sorrow Of any people
without being required at the same time to
tolerate uar upon their own money. That
war-and regular GUERILLA warfare at that
is now being waged against Tennessee money
is apparent to the most superficial observer.
Two weeks ago Southern bank paper passed
as readily as Tennessee bills. How is it now
what is the cause of its sudden depreciation
The answer suggests itseh-ths brokers and
their illiberal and unjust quotations. A bro
ker told one of his depositors this day-the
18th day of August 1s62--that Southern
money was 8 good as Tennessee but he bought
it at ten per cent. discount because he could
do it, claiming the right like other men, to
make all the money he could. Memphis is
not manufacturing city, her great interest
that has given her prestige abroad and wealth
st home is COMMERCE.. A glance at the city
reveals the fact that it has been built
by men OF enlarged views. The projectors
of the immense storehouses Of Memphis
must have been men Of keen foresight
and great liberality. Doubtless the men. re-
ferred to were great merchants and fully COM
petent to guard with Jealous care their own
circulating medium, and it is only now for
want Of thought and concert Of action that
the mass of the people are being shaved
out of one-fourth of their honest labor by
few men who have no conscience. IF this
currency were bought as discredited money
and sent out of the State at once, so that our
people would have to submit to but one share,
the evil might be borne with, but as it is
bought and sold to be paid out ence week,
the thing amounts to an intolerable burden.
There is nothing wrong in Tennessee money
but to dispose of the brokers and their quota
tions. The city of Memphis has just as much
use for money quotations ss the corpotation
has for town bull. The police should arrest
all the men who shave Tennessee money undor
the shadow of the bank ieitlo.st license; make
every one Of them pay q license like other
! dealers.
/ What say our bankers? Can they give US
statement of their affairs? Their circula-
| ton is known to be small. Is their paper not
as good as ether suspended bank psper2 What
are their assettsP Are they willing by their
silence to see the masses of the community
shaved out of q fourth of their daily earnings
| by dozen heartless brokers' who produce
nothing, but fatten on other mems labor The
people have given the banks the value of her
bills. If the banks have not lost their means,
but only suspended like other bank, the paper
is equal to that of any other banks. Let the
banks give the people statement of their
affairs. It is the duty of debtors to give
creditors statement. If the banks are IN
wiliiLg. +. - people hold currency meetings
in Court square and know the worst.
II MERCHANT.
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