Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-01-22
From thu Watohms,,.

At the last fern of the Confederate District Court
held for the District of Cape Fear the Court House
in Salisbury, at December Term, 1862, the Grand Ju-
rors made the following pFesentment viz
The Jurors for the Confederate States having daily
idsred the charge of bis Honor, Judge Biggs do
accordance with that charge respectfully submit the fol
lowing conclusions to which they have arrived upon the
subject of extortion and speculation.
they 10 the outset beg leave to say that they do not
believe that Southerners, engaged in struggle for lib
ery, nay for life itself, lost every of
patriotism to have any deliberate evil dtsgrs in the
practice of the evil Of extoron and speculation which
to have seized upon the people. They do not be-
leve that have become corrupt and avari-
cious body polite; but they do believe that by
thoughtessly hating the acts OF more evil men, the
community has been I'D step by step, in the downward
course OF depravty until they have grown caous to the
whispers OF cans ience and now look upon the necess
ties OF the needy and dependant matter OF chance
and have shut their eyes to the baeu consequences Of
their acts.
thus long exist, is indeed to be lamented And
do now, urors assembled aud having solemn injunc
tons given to redress the public grievances call up
all wellmeaniug citizens to reflect upon the conse
quences Of this unhaowed thirst for GAIN and let not
the love Of money cost them the loss of fair fame and
hoDesy Think upon the wants Of the family Ct the
gallant soldier who daily perils bis life for your defence
Think Of their suerings from your greedy speculation
and let this drive you to reflection and escape from that
just condemnation which as,uredly awaits you and
your posterity. What an exalted position in the tenn
pie OF nfamy Will the descendants OF spectators hold
when honest historian will write the history OF this
war? and how degraded will they feel with all their
wealth, wien pointed at a descendant OF the man
that starved the soldiers wife cheated the poor of
honest living and ~made hunger and want stalk abroad
10 the land, all to satisfy his greed f3r gain.
Let this appeal awaken those who have not become
hardened, and them to show forth the manness
OF their by using their influence to put down this
traffic which the helpless to mourn and the strong
to weep the depravity of man. When men are ap
"a abocit oh fher ND iva
freely. Even the speculator in the necessities OF life
WILL when appealed to give freely to the suffer
ing from under his eye. But when he does not the
poor sufferer and hears not the wall of anguish, he need
essy permits himself to but the profits of bis trade
little caring who freezes from The want of proper cloth
ing shoes or dies from he pnchings OF hunger. Yes
every busbe of grain boE by the Spectator for the
purpose of enhancing the price, places that much be
yond the reach of the needy. Then let us begin BY
using influence in the private walks of life to restore
again the love of country and one common cause, by
checking this dangerous and lmmoVabe traffic Let III
appeal to neghbors to let nothing 60 into the hand
of spectators when needed by the Let every
man put it to his own conscience and ask no more fo
what be has to sell than he would like to pay, should b
be unfortunate enough to be compelled to buy. This
the honest rule and few noble examples would resto
healthy state of things, and the needy and virtuou
will thank you for it.
Ed. RINEHART, Foreman,
JAMES F. JAMISON,
JOHN S. MEANS,
JOHN w. McNEELY,
JOHN S. DAVIS,
D. BARRINGER,
J. nj. LORANCE,
H. OWEN,
P. M. MORRIS,
JAMES WISEMAN,
JAMES B. robson,
p. n. HELLO,
T. H. BREM,
l. O. KIRKPATRICK,
J. Il. HARGRAVE,
B. GATHER,
nj. M. WILSON,
| d. nj. HOLBROOKS.
Ordered by the Court that this presentment of th
Grand Jury, be spread upon the Minutes of this Court
and copy furnished Editors, with request to publish
Attest, DANI. COLEM AN, Clerk.