The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-01-31
Forthe Westers Democrat.
CONFEDEBATE MONEY

It is painful and humiliating TO as as people t.
notice the great depreciation of currency The
Question very naturally arises why is this Is there
any proper grounds for its low value . J.
=. Is it owing to a want of confidence in the final
success of our glorious and just cause! We think
not. We may be over run but cannot be subdued
The people of the Confederate States are now, and
eyer have BEEN operated upon by a divine afflatus
that our cause is just and must prevail This sem
timent permeates all classes of society, from the
highest to the lowest Great may be our suferings,
but the spirit of such people will not yield. and
the vegeance of Heaven will ere long overtake our
enemies-and paralize their internal efforts. =.
h Do the mass of the people of the Confeder rate
States think that our Government will ultimately
repudate its debts! We think not; for they are
well aware that our Congress. best fnanciers,
and the people at large opposed TO anything of
the kind We can ultimately pay the debt By tara
tom, matter how large it may become-more
especially the debt will be mostly due ourselves.
If, therefore, we take it for granted fiat will
ultimately succeed in gaining Independence.
and that the debt will not be repudiated. it is
reasonable and unjust to ourselves to hold our cur
rency at SO low an estimate
The enemy are proving to US every day that it is
as good, if not better, than any other species of
property. By the laws of the United States, if we
are sntjugated property is all worthless so far
as we are concerned. Our lands are confscated
our negroes are freed and h,sve nothing to hope
for from the clemency of ruthless foe. The whole
history of this war indicates that species of pro-
perty is of any value, in territory, whilst in the
hands of the enemy. They burn our houses and
their contents, steal negroes. horses cattle and
hogs, destroy our provisions, and if we have silver
and gold they will have it our lives. Property
often teInpts persons remain at home, hoping to
be able to save something. until it is too late and
after all they utterly fail in their purposes But if
this property is Confederate money the owner can
make his escape with his family. take it with him to
another part of the Confederacy not overrun where
it will pass for its value. 1t is therefore demon
strated that it Is as good as any other species of
property-even AS silver and gold, for the posses
sion of these, we have shown you, often leads
unto death 1t is not often that the possession of
Confederate money leads us into any difficulty, even
when captured by the enemy, for they affect to hook
upon worthless, but will destroy it. for there
by they know that they aiding our Government.
If the recommendations of Secretary Trenholm
should be faithfully carried out. and should be
moderately successful at arms, we look for great
rise in the value of Confederate money before the
close of the year. Will not therefore, the people
put higher estimate its value, and endeavor by
a proper appreciation to arrest its downward ten
deney. x.
~ Hon. James A Seldom has rendered his resg
nation as Secretary of War. He is still discharg
ing the duties until his successor appointed 1t is
stated that the position has been rendered to Gen.
John G. Breckenridge and declined
1t is also reported that Mr. Benjamin has rendered
his resignation Secretary of State.
1t is said thtt these designations not in conse-
auence of any misunderstanding with the President
THE GOLD -MARKEr.-It is not fair just to
regulate the price of commodities produced here in
midst of real estate, according to the price of
gold, because gold is scarce article, hard to get
like sugar and cofee-the supply is not equal to the
demand Bockad running did more than anythng
else to enhance the price of gold from forty to
hundred thousand dollars being required TO meet the
weekly demands of those engaged in the business.
As blockade-running is now pretty efectualy stop
ped the price of gold must go down.. The Dispatch
says that in Richmond gold fell from 20 to AZ, with
a declining tendency. Several CAUSES. says the
Dispatch have combined to bring about this effect:
the strenuous measures recommended oy the Secy
of the Treasury to Congress the decided action of
that body in determining to seize all the cotton and
tobacco in the Confederacy on Government account;
and the closing of the Port of w ilinington.
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FROM RICHMoND-Our rams and small wood
en- boats started down the river, at early hour
on Tuesday morning last, with the design, it is
supposed of damaging the Yankee pontoon bridges
near Deep Bottom, their shipping, and, if fortune
favored, their store houses at Bermuda Hundred
and City Point.
1t seems that all went smoothly with the expe-
dition until the distractions reached which
to pass them, the Drewry-a very !
small boat carrying two guns-got aground and
was opened upon by the enemy's batteries; 100
FOUNDER shot penetrated her magazine and blew
her up. Of the rest of the feet the Fredericks-
burg alone passed the DISTINCTIONS and soon put
back, it being thought unwise for her to proceed
alone Constant cannonading was heard in the
direction of Dutch gap during the morning 1t is !
said We suffered no casualties by the blowing up
of the Drewry, she, We presume, being abandoned
before she struck.
There was report that we had recaptu-ed
Fort Harrison. We have no reason to believe that
any advance made during the day by our
land forces though we think it likely our morars
shelled the fort for time.-Richn,oad Dispatch.
RICHMOND, Jan. 26-The Confederate feet in
James river attempted to pass the Instructions at
the head of Paragon Island yesterday. The
wooden gunboat Drury, carrying one gun, ran
aground and was abandoned aud blown up. The
iron-clad Fredericksburg passed the Instructions,
but returned in consequence of the Virginia aud
Richmond running upon the shoals between the |
Dutch Gap canal and Howlett's They got off at
high tide and returned with the Fredericksburg to
their usual moorings.
FROM THE RoANoKE-The only additional |
intelligence we have of the Yankee movement to-
wards " eidou is that force is pushing on from
the direction ofthe Albcmarle sound. They had
crossed the Chowan river at last accounts
REcoGYIrIoN- report is being circulated
that France and England intend, after the 4th OF