Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-12-31
Blockade Goods and Hom.spuns.

We really Think sometimes that mankind apt
to resemble flock of sheep-in all jumping where
has jumped in the lead, in following up an idea
without much reflection, when once such an idea has
| got currency and sseTDs to be popular
| Among other causes of high prices at all times Is
the Of demand over supply. If this has its ef
feet at any tme how much more will the effect be
apparent at time like this when, from causes appa-
rent to s, the supply is greatly and steadily made
quate to the demand? At such time would be
apt to think that any addition to the supply, from al
most any source, would be hailed as relief, and appre
ciated as means of keeping prices within some limit.
Even with the GOODS that brought in through the
blockade, the supply is still VIGOROUSLY short II none
were brought in it would be still shorter.
The papers preach up the doctrine that everybody
ought to wear benespun. Wem1st think that if eve
ryone wore homespun and nothing bat houespun, many
would have very limited, and, indeed wholly made
qaate supply while, by the pressing demand for that
class oil goods the prices would go up to figure high
than any yet reached for imported goods Of anything
like the quality, and will always happen, the
resulting pressure and Inconvenience would be most
severely felt by persons OF limited Those who
do find money to purchase imported calicoes
or other goods, woad, we suppose, find to get
would find the market raised upon them by the
forced addition of large number of additional buyers
while, at the time the supply could not reasona-
bly, be expected to increase, for the machinery of fac
tories cannot be renewed an must gradually be deter
Grating, while the facilities for domestic manufacture
We literally home spinning and weaving cannot
be sensbly extended, their product much en-
larged.
80 tolo 5oll>~ II Ro~
calico and is not it is evidently to the interest of
that should buy the Calico rather than that be should
by buying homespun increase the demand for, and
sequently the price Of homespun which already finds
barely within bic neans if indeed it 10 80 at ell.
The fact is that much as has been said about block
ade eds do net think that upon the WHOLE they
very much higher than domestics Of anything
like she class Of course We are not now speak
ing of silks broadcloths aud other such fnery and we
have little hesitation in saying that importation
wholly stopped, or the of imported goods wholly
abandoned domestic goods would soon go up not only
far higher than they are but also higher than i'm
ported goods have yet reached.
OF course there are other considerations connected
with misunderstanding, which we do not propose now
to discuss and it be admitted that many of these
considerations would go to impress with the idea Of
lis lmpol;cy in far currency s concerned; but
be that as If may, must raise voice against the
tEaddling homhes about homespun that have become
current through the press. Homespun is very good,
end calico is very good, and almost anything to is
good and desirable about these times and there is
need Tor all Let all bay according to what they feel
able to pay for and all will be better served than by
trying to drive all to Glars of articles thus running
that far beyond the reach Of persons of limited
means