Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-03-23
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE JOURNAL.
Letter from Philipsburg, Pa.
PHILIpsBURG, Pa, Mar. 2lst, 1854.

L
DEAR JOURNAL 1T has often occurred
to my thinking machine, why it is that men
who profess TO be true and loyal to the Gov
ernment are constantly uttering or doing
something TO cripple the RAINING OF the
machine. | have often noticed that these
men have always something to say about
Abe Lincoln S currency, Chase green
backs or some other contemptuous term
for the government paper, every time they
happen to have any of it. Yet if they have
money to pay out, and have greenbacks and
country funds on hand, they invariably run
out the latter The greenbacks are kept in
reserve, and are never called on until the last
country bank note has fed the reign of the
gum band. Only few days ago | heard
some of the prominent financiers of our
change, say that the government paper was
depreciating more rapidly than ever, that
the day would soon be when greenbacks would
be as valueless as the continental scrip.
" hen asked their reasons for making such
assertions they replied why see the ad-
vance IN gold, it is now selling at 6S (0 60,
and likely TO go up. | tell you, he contin-
| ued that this paper currency must soon re-
act. 1t is in good repute now, but Chase
can not avert the blow it must certainly re-
ceIve, when he is called on for the interest.
Now these same men are of the profess to-
| be-true- and loyal class Their doctrine is.
you can't coerce the South, you can not
bring them to terms, better to make peace
| and let them go. How is it that the gentle
man can see such favorable sight for the
Southern Contederacy with their paper at
400 (9 600 per cent below gold and exchange
readily with our prisoners SO of Confede-
rate paper 1or 81 greenback) and can see
nothing but hopeless ruin in the future, at
no very distant day either, for the govern
ment Of the United States with gold only,
now, 60 per cent ahead of her paper? Why
do they say a reaction must take place when
the interest on this paper Is due, and a fur
ther depreciation follow? Look at the re-
sources Of Secretary Chase and then stand
in amazement, &c bowling whelps, that can
see nothing but ruin III the distance. On
the 10th instant, there was in the T. S
Treasury, over and above all drafts for coin,
$l9, $40, 479 81. The estimated receipts to
July lst, 1864, upon the same ratio as it is
coming in now. Is So, ,272, l75; making the
total amount OF gold on hand Sal 942 654-
q. The whole amount required TO pay the
interest on the pubhc debt up to the lst Of
July Is $50, $40, 1879 90. Does that picture
look much ike a depreciating of Z. s. gov
ernment paper? Take peep at the e. s.
Bonds, and how do they stand 5-20s are
selling at llll a. 10. And yet, these mis-
erable wretches say, the bonds are worth
less. The great, grand trouble is that they
wish it was SO. Ii they only had the pow
er Of making the people believe that green
backs were nothing more than so much
brown paper, then they would rejoice and
the hopes Of electing one of their party TO
the Presidency reyIve-ylSions' of fat Off
ces illuminate their now souiess countenan-
ces, and divisions Of the spoils be their con
stant thought
Another snaik has been reused from his
den. What stir this ink corroded pen OF
mine does make among them. Faithful
pen little did | think when | first took you
up, that you would make the snaiks howl in
such countless numbers. The first snaik
that uncoiled his thoughts and let fly his
venom was Citizen. thencome ''nemas,'
never sees snaiks, y ''.rhe whole Union
tof snaiks) "Facetie, - Argus, " young
Nester, and now, alas, l iear the end is
come for he resorts TO the extremity for
non-de-plume and signs John Boots to
his fantastical eulogium of Copperheadism.
Oh Johny Boots what a woefu mistake
that you had not been down in Dixie before
this cruel war; broke out You would |
certainly have voluntarily impressed your
parlimentarian qualifications for nude poet |
correspondent, ana nave long ere this won
the hand of a daughter Of the Sunny South
by your truthful and lifeiike contortions Of
the snaik. Wonderful John Ten thou
sand thanks for your kindness in speaking OF
my ''eavesdropper. F" 1t is refreshing to
ones self to know that even John Boots en-
tertains the idea that the grade of caves
dropping has been revived in this gay
and happy town. The occupation Of
eavesdropper at this present DAY, however,
Is not so lucrative as In former years. The
rounds are considerably extended to what
they were in Johny' paimiest days. The
classic shades of Bull Run, Goose Hill, -
''Stone Quarry and Factory" We're the
outside limits; But now, they extend to
Loeb Lomond, Slab Town, Forge and
selni-occasioually to the Black Bear John,
you are human snaik, and would certainly
not suppose that | could conscentiously i'm
pose on "PhaIasaicaF to go all that round ?
Did he run against you when you were
eavesdropping short bit yourself? Capt.
tai Why did you not come down on him
for violation of the constitution, or an ar
bitrary intrusion on the Seqaatorinua? If
ever there was brilliant production penned
supporting the pillars of copperheadism,
rank and tank, tbs that Of Johny Boots
The same true and familiar style of the vet
eran John, to the crossing of and the
dotting of an as in days of yore So trath-
fully true, indeed, that the reading over,
brings to my recollection the favorite au-
thors, cited by John. The clergy. was all
ways troublesome point. for him Poor
fellow he has at length gave vent to his
venom, and | hope viii recover from the
spasmodic flight Of his brain and not run
into my EPharasaicar' again, or shall is
sue imperative orders to have him superan-
uated and marked supervacaneous.
Iago Argus has been at wedding.