The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1864-03-04
From fredericksburg Express.
Pflfng mp the Agony.

We are in the midst Of two revolutions, the
one blot,dy. the other bloodless, but pregnant
with trouble. Tic latter has resulted from
the former and its movements and results will
haye.no iEeonsiderable influence upon militia
ry operations in the South, The recent Cur,
rency law is beginning to exert its power up
on the business Of the country, and, as was
to have been expected, the immediate effect is
to derange and disturb the markets in . most,
distressing way. The prices Of all kinds Of
vendibies, especially articles of food, have
jumped up in the last few daysto figures tru-
iy appalirgto purchasers. and for at least a
mouth to come the condition Of consumers
will be terrible, exposed as they will he torthe
combined pressure Of the currency crisis and
greedy aud remorseless spectators. Between
these two revolving millstones many must be
ground nearly into powder. The cost of living
has now reached point at which famine
well nigh commences, for we do not see how
thousands uf families. ale to be supported.
with everything in the provision line selling
at rates utterly exhaustive of resources short
cot these possessed by the opulent. How
many incomes can long stand drain Of not
less than twenty dollars per day, which u now
the smallest sum that a family can decently
subsist on? We are told that after the lSt Of
April a change for the better will take place
and that the markets for food will be materi-
ally lower. We are not SO sanguine on this
head. for we know that the cry Of scarcity
viii be raised, ard that however false, it will
be more potent than the law. The reduction
of the currency will no doubt enhance the
value Of money, but will it compel specnla-
tors and traders to abate their profits Will
not the relations between supply and demand
be unaffected by d statutory surtailment OF
the abundance 1t meney? The root of the
evil, under which we are about to suffer more
than We have yetdone, in the grinding sels
| fshness of the tiMes--the utter. want Of all
sympathetic feeling between man aud man in
an exigency which ought to excite such. a
feeling throughout every community. How
much good might be done. and how much dis.
stress ayerted, if eveey person would, in q
spirit of kindness, mutually exert themselves
10 relieve the pressure By acts of furbearaIice
and bensyolenre But alas how few are
those disposed to take this view Of things and
conform themselves to it. The rage for ac-
formulating money has crushed out every
generous sentiment and sensbility, and moth
ing is thought Of or sought for but tLe anass-
nent Of wealth. @
But notwithstanding the. alarming condi-
tim of our markets notwithstanding the
universal prevalence Of an impetuous and un.
governable disposition to get rich, which
makes almost every individual in the commu
nifty forgetfnl of the claims and interests Of
all ,others--we yet cannot but have strong
hope that after the lapse Of few weeks,
when the currency law will have spent its
force in great measure, . brighter day will
dawn upon us, and that we shall be compen-
stated for the trials and suAerings which we
must IN the meantilns undergo. It cannot be
that a law which will accomplish SO great and
needed q reform in eur finances will full to
relieve us, more or less. from the troubles
which have come upon MS from the evil Of I
deprecated currency. 1t cannot be that the
removal of the incubus will not be followed
by an ALIENATION Of the pain to which it sub
jjec:ed the sufferer. We have made up our
minds to endure with what philosophy we
possess the aggravated troubles which will re-
suit from the>stfingent provisions Of the cur.
rency law, for at least q month longer, under
the not unreasonable expectation that at the
expiration Of that time the monetary condi-
ton Of the country will begin to improve and
improve rapidly, and that by the middle Of
Spring we shall all be enjoying conteptedly
the happy fruits Of an enactment specially
framed and designed for gladdening the peo.
pie with the blessings Of a sound circulating
nediun and Of corresponding markets.
5 sf So