The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-01-21
G.. II. WILEY, !
: s T : :; S !: 'Ss'' Elk. Co"
THE BLOCKADE AND COFFEE.

There some incOnveniencies caused by the
Blockade, but we are by no means certain that
on fair balance of accounts the good does not
greatly prcponGcrate. Some articles are rendered
scarce and dear, and some induloencies. considered
essential to comfort, longer within reach;
but the great boast of the Yankees, that it would
starve us out, proves ike all their prctensions
arrant failure. That they should ever seriously
have entertained such notion, almost in
credible. But as strange delusions have prevailed
before. In the great between France and
England, at the beginning Of this century, Eng
land by her command of the ocean, fattered her
self that she could reduce France if not to starva-
ton, to a destitution of all the comforts of life
Sugar, Of the indispensables of la cuisine
Hdnscemdote of the French rose in the Paris
market dollar pound, and it was deemed
impossible that any substitute could be found for
it. In London, it was expected every day that
the French, deprived of their cakes and Candies
and Tean Sucrc'e, would rise in rebellion and de-
throne the mi ghty Napoleon But the English
rcckoned without due regard to the universal and
invncible potUgc, and still more, to the inventive
power of French science. Although it was not
known, that any vegetable outside of the tropics
contained crystalIizable saccharine matter, it was
speedily ascerained thaC the grape and the beet
both contained it. Very soon sugar manufacto-
ries sprung up all over France, and sugar became
aDuHudIG lNl all useful purposes.
Apart from the interruption to the Importation
of arms and ammunition, we doubt if the blockade
has been so widely felt in respect any article as
that of Coffee. The of this vilainous decoc-
ton had become general and habitual among
our people, that it had come to be regarded as
necessity, and the deprivation Of it is acutely felt
But the loss is gain 1t is difficult to tell the
mischief that has been produced by this poisonous
stimuiant, 1t has produced its thousands and
tens Of thousands of dyspeptics; it disurbs Sleep
it has been known to make men cripples in body
and mind; and it may have no small agency in
generating neuralgia and the other new tangled
diseases of the age. But still more serious
crime, it dims the eye and dscolors the check of
beauty. We really believe that it would be
great blessing to this country if never another
grain was brOugt to our shores. But be this as it
may, the want of it now is working we'll 1t is
waking people up from their sluggish habits
teaching them that some things may be done as
we'll rs others-learning them thrift and economy.
and convincing them that many of the supposed
accessories are imaginary rather than real If
twelve months ago, the women Of the South had
been told that they would have to keep house
without coffee, they would have been in despair;
but already have they confronted the difficulty
and with gaIety Of heart have produced abundant
and satisfactory substitutes. If black, swectcncd
water Of high temperature be essential to the COM
pieton Of the morning meal, we have it in the
toasted sweet potatoe, in the chestnut, in wheat
and in rye. 1t is the drowning process that i'm
parts to coffee all its charm; and other things can
be Drowned as well as coffee.
These doctrines may crate on the habitudes of
some confirmed topers; but let them remember that
the Greeks and Romans had no coffee; neither did
they have window to their houses or shirt to
their backs. Our great English ancestors of the
Cromweillan era never tasted either tea or coffee
and the giants OF our own Revolutionary epoch
were comparatively ignorant of both If these
considerations are not consoling, let them bear in
mind, that We have our freedom to consolidate
and that the more we suffer in achieving it, the
more highly shall prize it.
SOUTHERN Hat FACToRY.-Messrs. J. &. F
Garret have established Hat Factory on a liberal
scale, IN this place, whore they are manufacturing
the various grades of Hats, from the finest to the
more common qualities. They are energetic, en-
terprisng men, with ample means to ensure success
on an extensive scale. The most of tier work
men are gentlemen raised up to the business
Greensboro Patriot.