Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-08-02
what are the People to Do?

In reply TO this question, We propose 70 make some
pertinent remarks and we hope they may be so con-
sidered by the thousands interested Prices are high
ard all We eat wear, drink use, going at such
e1travagant rates that the majority of our people
who have but little in the way of income, no money
and nothing to bring it in, begin to wonder how
they shall live. ASH people, we have been used to
plenty, bordering upon luxuries in every day lie
the poorest families enjoying them to an extent
much greater than the heretofore wealthy now DO
in the States so recently in insurrection When the
war frst broke out, prosperity was visible every
where, and all enjoyed the comforts Of life upon
large and bOuntiful scale. But the four years oil
war, though the conflict is now over, have worked
great change in all these things and it may be Tor
our ultimate good if we are wise and turn it to good
account. Our people must try and dispense with
luxuries that cost so much at least for few years
Fine broad cloths, silk laces and many Of the artl-
ces worn by both gentlemen and ladies' all OF which
are up among the high figures, may be dispensed
with for time at least until our farmers and me-
chanics again get under way. Itseems hard to think
of banishing from tables and wardrobes the lux
ures we have so long enjoyed but this sacrice must
be made, or many of US will come TO utter ruin
The war and its hardships have taught us how cheap
we can live and how much we can do without. Let
our men wear their old clothes, and old hats and
old boots as long they at all comfortable and
decent. Let our women do with fewer fine dresses,
and not vainly imagine that their bonnets mantles,
and other costly articles are Questionable before
they are half worn, soiled by USE Our Stock
hogs cattle sheep, horses well as fences and farm
ing utensils are all to replace and economy, good
management and untiring industry called for in
all quarters, and among all classes With good
health and little time the stout arms resolute wills,
and great enterprise of our people, will bring all
right again, and show state of prosperity and a
degree of advancement that none of us now hope
for We must bring the expense of living within
our means. We must all contract our expenses and
Tighten our burdens, if we would ride out of the
storm of financial crisis, growing out of past
events. Every person must act on his own account,
as there cannot be any concert of movement in a
work of this kind.
In winding up the war, thousands will be thrown
out of Office who must rely upon their own efforts to
support themselves and families Socrates was once
offered Government Office that would relieve his
poverty and enable him to live in better style
to which he replied "Meal is but penny peck
in Athens and water can get for nothing" in eff
feet saying that long he could live cheap he
would not be dependent on the government for sup
port. The great American philosopher, DR.. Frank
lin, exhibited similar wisdom when urged to pub
lish scandalous article in his newspaper, with the
promise that it would bring him in the support O
many wealthy and influential citizens. His reply
was: Last night made my supper from penny
loaf and cup of water, and slept soundly on the
floor of my Office, and so long as 1 do this there
is no need of prostituting the columns of my paper
for gain"
We could extend these remarks, but the fruitful
mind of the reader will supply what is omitted
We claim to have redeemed the pledge we gave il
the outset-that of making some pertinent remark
in which our people are deeply interested.