Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1865-12-14
RArrs OF ADvERrIsINo,
HIGH PRICES.

Ii Is becoming a serious question, not
only with the laborer, but with other
workers, how they are to live, how they
are 10 procure only the ordinary com
forts Of life for their families. During
the progress Of the war many incOnve-
uiences were borne, and much self
imposed and unusual economy practised
by those whose income was their daily
or weekly wages, or by those who de-
pended on fixed salaries or the interest
on stock OF real estate investments They
found that the imitation Of prices made
the practice Of a prudent economy an
absolute necessity. The well-woruclothe
were revampeG, and dressed over, and
worn q little longer in the hope that
with the close Of the war and the ahate-
ment Of the premium on gold and silver.
prices would recede, and they would be
enabled 70 live once more.
The result is anything but that. Gold
has receded from two hundred and
eighty 10 one hundred and forty-five,
but prices have gone up still higher.
The hats and coats, the dresses and
cloaks are worn beyond repair, and
what was difficult two years ago is sim
ply impossible now. Food and fuel, and
shelter are positive necessities. So also
Is cl0thing-at least sufficient for COM
fort aud decency. But although wages
have beenraiseda as pricesh have advanced,
perhaps, however, not i'm the same pro-
portion, yet the fact Of living is getting
10 be an insoluhleproblem.
These abominable high prices are to be /
attributed, at least in part, TO the inordi-
nate greed OF gain and the mania for
speculation; but more must be laid to the
imitation Of the currency and the absence l
0f specie. Secretary McCullOch recog- 1
nizes this fact, and IS endeavoring 10 4
withdraw, as fast as possible, from cir |
CulaJion our present miserable rag cur /
rency and substitute specie.
To do this effectuaily the concurrent I
action Of Congress Is necessary, and we
sincerely hope that this matter viii be
one Of the first 70 engage its attention at
the opening Of the session. Whatever
can be done will produce but q gradual
change. and in consequence there will
he much suffering among the poor this
winter. And not only among those
known 70 be in INDECENT circumstances,
but many families who are supposed 10
be comfortably well off viii feel the
pinchings of poverty, which their pride
viii induce them 70 conceal
Never, however, viii prices necede 10
the standardDf ten years ago. The in Z
and now Of silver from our newly dis i
covered mines, viii keep prices far above \
.he old rates. Whether this increase in Z
he amount Of gold can be considered a 4
blessing in any sense is doubtful. 3
While the redundancy Of money, or
he representatives Of value, in circUla-
ion c0mpels the exercise of extraordi-
nary prudence on the part Of the masses, 4
Q enables the wealthy 10 indulge in lux
NY and extravaganza, and gradually !
md surely draws a wider line Of dis (
incti0n between the poor and the rich /
han ever before existed. Already We {
nave ON aris10cracy Of W alth which 4
eeks social isolation from the masses to {
lie great detrimeHt Of the body polite. Q
Money j. power, and not among the I
east Of the evils of our present currency {
ystem j. the disposition 20 use that
,ower without regard to the welfare Of
he people at large. Let u have aspeedy {
etun 10 a specie circulation.