The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1863-05-01
Pocket Patriotism.
[From the LIhehLurE yIrgIlIan.

us a lengthy communication on speeula-
tors aud extortioners. We make room
for a portion OF his article: he says that
the great hue and cry raised against spec
ulators since the war, and very justly too,
is equally applicable Of late to certain
class of farmers. The specula:or buys
and sells in the market, but the extor-
toner hoards his produce with the view
of satiating his avarice upon the wants
Of his fellowmen, to eriOH from the poor
and lauguishing mother and her father
less family, the very last dollar for arti-
cles of substance. He asks who now
withholds the necessary supplies from
our gallant army and cries aloud for
market prices" when in reality there is
no legitimate market value for anything,
except such as is created 10y the ungodly
extortionest9 Who is it that curses or
abuses the spectators. when at the same
time he is deeper in the mud than the
speculator is in the mire? Unquestiona-
bly it is the farmer, not those generous
and patriotic souls that have pledged
their lives, their property, and sacred
honor TO our success in this struggle for
independence, but these soulless Shy
locks, who charge the government, the
soldiers families, and the city people
eight dollars per bushel for corn, and
zone dollar ana twenty-five cents for ba-
con, to satisfy sordid lust for money.
This spurious patriotism is thus expos
ed to just contempt, and species Of quiet er-
tortioner is proven to he worse enemy to
the country than the busy specuator.-
Before the passage of the impressment
law, these quiet extortioners had no sup.
plies to spare. Now they have turned
up" in abundance. at valuation by the as.
SCISSORS (all interested) at shameful and
extortionate prices. The just compensa.
ton they have claimed so loudly, proves
to be the very last dime that can be ex.
torted from the government. tits no un-
common thing now to hear them boast.
| ing of what enormous sums they have re-
allied for a small amount of provisions,
and each one Of them vies with his neigh.
Dor in the greedy effort for the highest
prices, frequently making market value
by his own bidding, oblivious OF the
shameful fact that the brave defenders OF
the homes and liberties Of all of us, are
subsisting on reduced rations and in
many instances their families are aban.
| aoned to want.
These quiet extortioners attempt to
justify their conduct by saying that they
are impelled to it in self-defence, that
the coffee, sugar, rice and calico for fam
! fly consumption are so high, that they
are compelled to sell their produce at
high prices TO get them, when, in fact,
they do not buy scarcely any of these ar
articles, as will be attested by their own
account of expenses. There was never
more economy Ito say nothing of extor-
ton practiced by these growers Of pro-
visions. To conclude, it becomes mani
fest that more sacrificing and generous
spirit must be inaugurated, otherwise
cur cause will be dangerously damaged,
and when II is too late, naany will see
the folly of their course.
Taking the Oath Under Protest.
The Louisville Democrat says, few
weeks ago a laughable incident occurred
in theneighborhood of Nashville, which
is worthy of record. A saucy, dashing
young girl, of the Southern persuasion,
was, with a number of other ladies,
brought into the presence Of Gen. Rosen-
eran2, in order that their Southern aidor
might be checked by the administration
of the oath Of loyalty. The bold, bright
eyed Juno in question objected to taking
the oath, saying that her mother had
taught her 'thati was wrong to swear;
that her social education had instructed
her that it was unladylike to swear; her
sense of morality forbid her to swear,
and swear she could not. The officer in
sisted that the lady must take an oath be-
fore she left his presence.
"Well, General" said bright eyes, ''if
| must swear, will; but all the sin Of the
oath must rest on your shoulders, for l
swear on your compulsion; Cd d-m
every Yankee to h-i"
And the defiant beauty tossed her dark
curls, and swept out of the presence un-
molested.
North Carolina