Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-11-18
Spectators and Demagogues.

| There are but two classes of persons in th
| zorth or South who are anxious for the continu
iance of this wicked, unnecessary and destructiv
war. 1t is stated among the thousand rumors
that Gen. Mcclellan recently remarked, that wer'
it not for the demagogues, General Lee and him
self cuuld end the war at once. We place bu
little confidence in the rumor, yet of the correct
ness of the remark attributed to him, we have no
doubt.
| The war was inaugurated and has been persever-
ed in mainly through the bad counsels OF trading
demagogues and mercless spectators ald extor-
TONERS, whose sole aim has been selfish purpose
to secure place and profit. The peculation and
speculation which have been carried on at the
North have saddled that Government with debt
which it will never pay and the official thefts
and extravagant speculation upon the government
and the people of the South, have risen to such
a pitch as to threaten our army and people with
starvation and consequent subjugation. ~
We have said repeatedly. that the speculation
and extortion now practiced in the South are do
ing more to hasten our subjugation than every
thing else beside. Every thoughtful person in
the country not involved in the high crime of
beggaring 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 ill success of our arms, but at the GER
tain disaster which is being brought upon the
COuutTy ny tuo SpoCuldtOES.t 4NO Ouo Is Cuo0Flul
but them. They sshave never seen better times"
they say, they sshave never made so mnch money
before.''
Many of these land sharks enjoy shade offices
under the Confederate government, and many
others were among the most noisy advocates for
secession. They nor their sons have gone into
the war, and do not intend to. A days or a
weeks speculation pay for substitutes, whose
blood may be spilled as water, and what do they
care Verify, Yankee bayonets and ball are not
SO efectually conquering as they are. The worst
enemies of the Confederacy are those who spec
ulate upon salt, -four. bacon, corn, leather, cot
ton and woolen goods. Many have suddenly be-
come 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 Is not 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 con-
tinue? And yet they cry, ssAll is WE'LL" Our
victories and advantages gained over the enemy
are magnifed by them, and when our reverses
become glaring. they talk of speedy ssforeign in
tervention.'
Let them be put down. Patriotism, humanity
and the salvation of the country demand it, and
let it be done speedily. There is no good reason
under heaven why salt, and -four, and bacon, and
corn, and leather, and cotton and wo0len goods,
should demand the present prices. Avarice- {
avarice among our merchants, farmers and man. c
lfacturers and spectators, is at the bottom of
and it is viper gnawing at the vitals of the I
STANDARD.