Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-09-17

AHa AutAeso
We have observed, and with pain, sons re-
cant evidences Of a foolish zeal among the peo-
Dle. aEd we tLink we shall do the people and
ne eeuntrv a service BY directing their thought
fri attention co The matter. The virus is not prob
abIv verv deep seated-certainly il is not yet
verv Wild spread. we allude to the effort being
in soma quarters, and by q few indiYid-
nails. who are doubtless good citizens, patriotic
earnest. and thoroughly devoted to the best ia
terest Of their country, If they Only knew What
that interest really was. aad how best to sub
ssrve Il 70 bolster the unsound system Of our
Con(eieFAts fpaness by threats and d~snaRcia-
lions. We believe such conduct viii work mis-
chief. and that it is cur duty 10 speak out
sgsinst II. We do really wish, with all our
F,eart. that Confederate Treasury notes were
worth their face ia gold or exchange, and that
everybody believed it, and acted on that behef
We wish heartily that all our people would sell
everything they grow ont Of the groUnd, or con
vert bv machinery ard labor, or bring in
through the sham blockade, at old prices, and
taks cay in treasury notes. 1t would rejoice
US TO SOC ell selling corn at 6hy cents or q
dollar. wheat ct one dollar, flour st five doh
lars, bacon at fifteen cents, pork at ten, beef
at four, hides at ten, shoes st one to two del
lers. boots ct five to eight, calico Of ten 10
fifteen cents, hats at two to five doliGls, coats At
fifteen 30 thirty, osnsburgs at ten cents, shestiBg
st eight and shiTting at seven Bat the fact is
| patent to everybody, that for some reason Treas
ury notes are not considered as good IS gold,
and that nobody can OF viii sell their products,
their manufactures, or their merchandise st the
old prices and tako pay in these notes. il
would help the currency and the finances Of the
Government If the old prices prevailed, for the
expenses would be kept down to about one hun
dred millions per GnbUm, instead Of seven hun
dTed millions. The interest would be eurtaiied
in the same proportion, and the burden Of the
debt on cur p0stsFity would be lght-sO light
that it would certainly be paid.
OF course everybody, or nearly everybody,
takes the treasury notes for Eetting any bust
uess transactions Of the day-they can afford
to do it, and they ought to do il, for all these
transactions are based on the present and pros
pective condition Of the finances, and a man
can we'll afford to take these notes fJr articles
that lie sells at from i've 70 twenty prices.
And we don't clearly see that there is 4 very
great deal Of patTiotisE in it-at least none
70 boast Of. Bat what We design is 70 show
10 our jealous friends, who, with the best in
tentions ia the world, are doing wrong be-
esase they have not studied the question close.
~, that 1t is not Just nor proper nor e1pedisnt &c
sttempt TO enfofea other people to receive these
notes fer old debts, based on a specie eon5ideTa-
IOa. A great many people do receive thest
notes for old debts, because either they nseC
the money for present purposes of living, o.
else can Uss it 10 advantage in speculation o.
trade. Bat some men, holding old debts, re
fuse these notes st par, and we hold that it il
not right to attempt, by public odium, 10 fore,
THEN 20 receive them, under penalty Of being
held up as unPssIiotic on some black list"
The laws Of the land do not force men to recsiv,
treasury notes in payment Of Old debts Congress, OF
The contrary, has repeatedly refused TO make them
/ legal tendsr-hrst, becsus- &c he'd no constitutional an
| thOrity; and secondly, because that body considered suci
! legislation highly injnuici0us and mexpedient. That va
ne decision Of hapsfourhfthsofth present Congress
and what Congress cannot aud ought rot do directly, &
! cannot aad ought not DO Indirectly; such, for Instance, q
I cOnscnDtng the rscr=snt citizen regardless Of age OF "
trinity, as has been recommended BY some. And wha
Congress cannot do. the people ought Lot to tempt b
public opiuion-by intimidation and threats and III
odlum q " black lists" Thess men know not wha
/ they do-th6y are taxing the widows property and thu
orphans heritage. and denouneing thsir ~usighbors an,
friends for doing just precisely what George Washing
ton did in the frs revolution. We truBt they wdl re
| consider their views, and amend their ways, for We ar,
thoroughly persuaded they are wrong, and workinl
! barn.
The b~olstsrlng Of the currency, if not i~nstlgated b,
the Government but simply undertaken BY Jealous "a
triots, who have not thoroughly studied the question. &
perhaps higEly pleasing to the ruling powers Thu
We see that, besides the Injustice to individual 8 by TIL
/ the Government and its credit, and tends to incressi
the burden, too, upon our children. For such conduC
surely strengthens the Government TO ocntine in 10
present financial eourEe, which can end In nothing bu
| Reputation at last, II the war continues eightaei
months longer, IL that course is persisted in. Instead
/ therefore, Of trying 10 prop e bad system, aud a Tuinou
/ system, and to help continue that system, We think la
| people ought rather 20 eudsavor 20 induce the Govern
nent 10 abandon the plan which has wrought such &c
probation, and necessitRted public deuunciatiun Il
/ keep it goiag, and adopt 8 better. Let the peopl
make sacrifices, it Is sad. Well, that is right an.
| proper, but let the sacrifices be made by all equally an,
fairly, that is, by rigorous, just and impartial t~sxati0n
Try that thoroughly, AID We believe 10 would not b.
uecesssFy 20 hold up the bug besr u "bIack ustS1 q
/ force the people 70 take the G~0Vsrnments currency
nor would it be necessary thas The Government Should
disparsRe its own issues in its own tax bill. BY reuulr
- rh~aa ~ ~ vaiueu hG d u1dcOunt rs compared witt
/ gold, or exchange, or suspended bank bills, or the note
Of hand Of private individuals.