Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-03-24
FOR THE SPECTATOR.

Mr.. Ep1roR:-A state of things exists amongst US
that no one at the commencement of the war ever
dreamed Of So exorbitant has become the price OF
The essentials to the support of e that persons
of moderate and good salaries are not able TO
live in any degree of comfort much less can those
live in tort who possess nothing, but who support
themselves by what they daily and weekly earn.
I saw nothing of the causes that have produced
these exofbtant prices. Much has been said against
extorton speculation &C., but 1t has evaiied naught
Our object need not be to inquire into causes Out W
administer relief
here is among class of persons whose natural
supports are 10 the army-whose husbands brothers
and sons in the tented field and on the grouno
are shielding from plage and destruction by tne en-
emy the property of the very persons that are ex-
acting these exorbitant prices tor Hour bacon, WOOD
and clothing, which are necessary To existence.
If our volunteers have rendered service that ena-
bles us at home to live free from the presence aud
uudlstarbed by the ravages OF the enemy; II their
in the field allows cultivate our land,
ard SOW and reap in security, IN the name OF common
;nstice II do n,.t say humanity charty,) are not
their families entitled and purchase at rea
sonsh.e rats portion of that which the presence OF
their husbands brothers and Sous In the army pre-
serves from piilage and DESTRUCTION?
Must we wait Until they have spent their last rag
eed ote (cents not until they are mpeied to
hiyer rom colo around their ft6less hearth; until
they due on POTATOES ana point VI they can purchase
potatoes $500 per bnshei, or procure any meat 10
point at and retire supperlrss 10 bed, before our
sense OF justice and humanity arouses US TO PROVIDE
ter then relief!
. and see iha they nave DTeaa, al eaoL, ana
wood whereslin 10 couk Ii?
rhe most of those If whom speak, are feceiTIDg
sIl Per month and citizens If the county are cEa;e-
iog their fAgnes $40 ,e bh fer q ur SID 10 - pei
load ter ood aud 81 10 LOO cents per 10 Tor bacon!
Fellow cizens, calculate how With Their means and
these prices The bid AID souls of she abo
ch,tdreu Of voiun.e be kept together bring e.
YOU, aid ysur arithmetic and zebra and publish IN
the Iext OF rbe Spectator, how it can be DONE
With il il d problem Impossible; with you u
Day Capable oil s,lu IOn AID II Will puplisn
It's sou.ion to tn World you will have claim be
called a. Howard of the .9;h century.
Tnere In Tow IAluIlieS tnat uave no Woo
but hiiie -four and ueai-aad thsr exhaust
ed The as of hu .oands is Sometimes months 10
Arrears and their wives necessarily sewing Tor the
factory to provide for themselves ard little nes, anc
vet at present exhorbitant they lack tue means
sufficient TO purchase. though they would have suh
Client could tood, Clothing and wood be procured al
reasonable rates
contribute six loads OF wood free gftfOr dlstri-
button to the destitute. Are there others equally
able who will be willing to do as much? aud. II they
are not willing feel able to give 1t, Will they not
sell some at reasonable rates?
The citizens of the willing to contribute
their quota money, but they have not the wood nor
the teams to haul it. The families OF volunteers
i'll ny paw reasonably for IL. but you cannot ex-
pect them TO pay the price now demanded
Tie alternative Is between restitution their PAL
and Willingness your paTt to sell reasonably.
Will YOU allow the families of your eeEders to
suffer, or will you forego slight portion OF your
gains?
The next Friday has been proc laimed fast day,
and many will. hope, repair TO their respective
places Of worship, but before you go, read what con-
stues accet, table fast in Isaiah, Chapter 18th,
and act accordingly. CITIZEN. /