Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-12-24
WIN. WATSON,
Clerk District of Pamlico.
CYTP A rTc PDnll

ut cannot be denied, if we have brave and gal
liant army in the field, composed of men who left
fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters wives and
children, houses and lands-men who have endured
every hardship, met every sacrifice, and have dis
played courage and heroism never excelled, we
also have at home an army composed of spectators
and extortioners who would be less harmless if they
were regularly mustered into the service and were
lighting under the standard Of our enemies. They |
have embarrassed the Government and oppressed |
the poor, by running up prices to fabulous figures.
They have disheartened our soldiers who are every
day receiving letters from their families stating that
they scarcely able to get necessary food and raj
ment while those who are unwilling to 60 forth end
peril their lives are amassng fortunes. Now no
just man should complain that he who was mer-
chant in peace should continue his profession in
war, and by fair dealings improve his fortunes
The merchants, however, are not tae only specula
tors but they find competitors in lawyers doctors,
farmers and mechanics and what is worse, they
are ready to speculate in ".every thing"
Our country is engaged In struggle for life or
death. She is bleeding at every pore. Hundreds
and thousands have fallen by the sword. Nearly
every house in the land has been turned into house
of mourning. Is such time fit for the patriot
for the man who loves his country or his kindred,
20 turn to bartering and exchanging, that he may
make money? We are cut off from the world-all
that he makes, therefore, by his specuations must
be mace out of his own government and his own
people, by increasing the prices of articles to be used
by the government and tho people; and overy good
man who feels disposed to buy that he may sell
again, should recollect that every who is added
to the army ofspecuators necessarily increases the
prices of articles specuiated on. And, strange TO
say, many of these men never bought to sell again
until their country acas inuotred in par. Prices of
all provisions have become enormously high
cessary consequence of the presence of SO many
eager spectators, all Of whom must have their a5ar
prvft That they have had the chief agency in pro-
ducins such enormous prices, it requires no argu-
ment to show. Speculation has be-
come disease, a mania. Hotel keepers, Corpora.
tions, such as Fail Road companies-cotton and
| wool factories-Coal Aiming companies, ct i'd onsae
F.. genus, figure conspicuously. What Influence must
this system of extortion, practsed By individuals
and corporations, exert upon our army? How must
the soldier feel he hears that every article
snmed by his family, has to be paid for at prices
three four times as great when he entered the
army? Isit likely to inflame his ardor to know that
while he is facing the enemy in the field, there is
behind him at home all enemy who is eating out
| his substance? And even if it were right and
| handsome thing to make fortune by specializing
during war, would it be liberal and generous TO-
wards our soldiers, who by entering the service,
have lost all opportunity OF becoming competitors
| in the race * ~. Shall it be said there is no
remedy for these evils? Can the Confederate Gov.
ernment 90 nothing? Are the State Legislature
imbecle and impotent. that they cannot stay the
hands of speculation and extortions Are we longer
to listen to the hearess cry Of the speculator that
we must be governed by the rules of trade-of
"supply and demand"-as if there were any " sup
ply" except what the spectators would catch up?
or shall we heed chartered rights" from those
who have abused the privileges of their charters,
and themselves become the chiefs Of extortion Mol
The country has already suffered too much and too
long. Let it no longer be said that
we unable to protect ourselves against the out
RACES of own people. Let the present spirit Of
speculation and axtortion be cut up by the roots |!
Let us have no childs play! We pass laws to pun
sh usury-to punish the liquor seller-why cannot
We pass laws e6eetualty to stop extortion and
speculation? If it be said it requires Uiolent rem
eay-then answer the disease is terrible and re.
quires it. Who, having conscience or the slight
est feelings of humanity can expect but the deepest
remorse by the reflection, II made my money by
speculation during the war for our independence,
and while my friends and neghbors were away from,
their families fighting the battles of their country,
by which have been protected, and they haze been
starred and ruined"