Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-10-31
specalator, and pemagogues.

There are but two classes of persons in the North
or South who are anxious for the continuance of
this wicked, unnecessary and destructive war. 1t
is stated, among the thousand rumors, that Gen.
Mcclellan recently remarked, that were 1t not for
the demagogues, Gen. Lee and himself could end the
war at once. We place but little confidence in the
rumor yet ST the correctness of the remark atribu-
ted to him, we have no doubt - =
The war was inaugurated and has been persevered
in mainly through thebad counsels of trading dem
agogues and mercless spectators and extortioners
whose sole aim has been selfish purpose to
place and profit. The peculation and speculation
which have been carried on at the North have sad
died that government with debt which it will new
pay and the official thefts and extrayagant spec
ulation upon the government and the people in the
South, have risen to such pitch as to threaten our
army and people with starvation and consequent
subjugation.
We have said repeatedly, that the extortion and
speculation now practised in the South are doing
more to hasten our snbjugation than every thing
else beside. Every thoughtful person in the coun-
try not involved in the high crime of beggarng the
people and the government must see it. Look at
the deadening chilling effect of this speculating
mania upon the large masses of the people whose
sons and brothers are in the army. Every one is
melancholy and detected, not at the i'll success OF
our arms but at the certain disaster which is being
brought upon the country by the spectators. No
one is cheerful but them. They shave nser seen
better times" they say, they "haye never made so
much money before"
Many of these land sharks enjoy shade offices un-
d. he ~ E,lo
were among the most noisy advocates for secession
They nor their have gone into the war, and do
not intend to- A days or weeks speculation can
pay for substitutes whose blood may be spilled as
water, and what do they care2 Verify, Yankee bay
onets and ball are not so effectualy conquerng US
as they are. The worst enemies of the Confederacy
are those who speculate upon SALT -four, bacon corn
leather, cotton and wooden goods. Many have sud-
denly become rich, both Jews and Gentiles, and
they have no concern except to keep the raging
that they may make money. And what is to be
the result if they continue it? Inot the overthrow
of the South the inevitable consequence? What
earthly power can prevent our being overrun by the
Yankee hordes, if This state of things continues p
And yet they cry, 'All's well" Our victories and
advantages gained over the enemy are magni6ed by
them, and when our reyerses become glaring, they
talk of speedy foreign intervention"
Let them be put down. Patriotism, humanity
and the salvation Of the country demand it and let
it be done speedily. There is good reason under
heaven why salt and -four, and bacon, and corn,
and leather, and cotton, and wooden goods should
demand present prices. Avarice-avarice among
our merchants, farmers, manufacturers and specu-
latorS at the bottom of it and It is O viper gnaw-
ing at the vitals of the country.