Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-07-28
PROVISIONS FALLIN0.

krhoAn sn0 nhnoehPnie NORM Amer1cAn.l
Atn moment since advantage was
first taken by unduly avaricious spirits Of
the calamities of the country to enrich
themselves have the prospects of fall in
prices, and recurrence to something
like status ante delIuns in regard to cost,
been so promising as now. We admit
that increased prices are natural and me-
cessary for many things; that labor is
more scarce, and therefore worth more
that cotton is less abundant, and conse-
quently more expensive. But after adj
hitting all in these and similar respects
that accords with truth, a great remain
der is found in our excessive valuations
which cannot be accounted for by any
such means-by taxation or consump.
ton.
1t is unnecessary, however, to haggle
about possible causes and possible reasons,
when we have very exact and sufficient
facts Immediately at hand. The specula-
tive fever has nursed itself into an apo
plexy; and although it is not dead and
may not soon die, the disease has come to
crisis in such sort and with such results
as will crafty all who are so constituted
as to need food and require clothing
The results sufficiently prove that very
much Of the enhanced cost of living is
attributable. to speculation to causes gen.
Grated by war, as flies are bred of cor
ruption, and which seek their own selfish
ends despite of all other considerations.
Flour, which has been steadily increasing
as fast as it could be controlled by these
men, grew shaky at its pcrilous attitude,
and in one day fell half dollar to dol
lar and quarter per barrel, with sup
Elementary fall the next day, and encour-
aging intimations that it would continue
going down stairs TO the landing from
which it adventured. Pork has acted
similarly, and the feeling has affected
other articles which are lightly or not at
all touched by taxation, and have no re-
lation to the tariff. The consequence has
been to induce those who are now carry
ing heavy amounts of these articles to
wish to unload some share, if not the
whole and the attempt has produced the
fall.
We are unable to state the amount in
stock of these leading articles which is
now held for speculation solely in the
great cities. An estimate was recently
published, and the figures were enormous.
The demand has not been 80 urgent as
was expected. Rather than pay so much
for -four, people have had resort to rye
and corn, to potatoes, and to whatever
would form a substitute. Foreign de-
mand has not been so brisk as was an
ticipated, and we, as we'll as those abroad
are on the eve of great and prosperous
harvest, which will weigh the spectators
down, while their retention of supplies is
daily adding interest to other losses.
The harvest which has begun will begin
to find its way to market in a short time,
because such prices will draw from every
one except those who are striving to COM
pei greater. If, however. the fall is what
it is reported to be, before the harvest
has begun to come in, what will it be
when every train unloads great freights
through the east?
1t is indisputable that the prices of the
leading articles of consumption have run
up out of all proportion to the legitimate
relations of supply and demand. The
country suffers. and the finances of the
government suffer from the circumstance.
Produce purchased at unnatural prices
locks up large amount of money that
could be valuably employed in circula-
ton, and pinches those who really re-
quire it :; while TIE holders themselves
will suffer by the very conduct which
now causes suffering to others. AS we
see the causes which are to end the spec
ulation, and already notice their effects,
we can congratulate ourselves that more
natural and stable order Of things is
about to come to hand.