Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-03-20
Economy-personal Retronchm Mt

The following excellent altlcle-useful and
profitable as it may be to hundreds-is well
worth the attention Of our readers. Thf re is
food for much reflection in the subjoined re-
marks, and if the advice were followed many
would be happier and better of. than they are
"We brave the risk of being called cd
fashioned, and even old fogyish, when we as
sure our readers, In every walk of life, that a
financial storm is almost at our DOORS and that
all who hope to survive it mast shorten sail.
Let the cause be over trailing. the luxury
eBsendered by superabuldant currency, the
decline in prices caused by the contraction OF
the circalation,- the wild spirit Of speculation
which prevades the people, or whatever else it
may-and all these are contributing to the
result-the fact Is undeaiabe that tight times
are before as-times that will test severely the
credit and bottom Of the stounchest, and that
will sweep like an unbrldled tempest over the
feeble and unprepared. Nor is it less apparent
that to US of the SJuth the danger is far great
er than to our far more prosperous fellow
creatures of the North.
No one expects half crop in any Southern
State Of the staple which was formerly the
basis of it's wealth. The number of non7pro-
ducers is greatly in excess Of any previous
proportion, owing to the casualties of war and
the destruction of values by its direct opera
ton, by confsca ians &c.
These are some of the conditions and facts
which augment, In our case, the financial por-
tents that threaten. 10 greater or less degree
our whole land. And yet melancholy as is the
spectacle and fearful the prospect, how little
any of us are doug to meet i'll! Let US test
by familiar example the disposition Of our
people to make tho,e rltJlcAmens in luxu-.
al u
seem to require in the face of such danger
What woman is economizing in her dress, and
what man IN his superhuites Is there not,
throughout the whole country, a greater thirst
for display and a greater disposition towards
the indulgence of every freak and fancy than
IN any antecedent period in our history? 1t is
an easy task to rail at the extravaganza of FASH
ion 10 the other SEX butts there nota little want
of candor in this? Women do not visit restau-
rants, and yet we presume there are twice as
many licensed and unlicensed restaurants in
this city as at any previous period of our his
tory Women do not visit billiard rooms, yet
there are FIVE billiard tai les in Virginia to-day
to one In 1860. Women do not indulge in the
fashionable gambling of speculation yet every
man yeu meet is ready, if he has any spare
money to 60 into any little scheme, however
Inconsistent with his legitimate business which
stimulates MIN WltA Tue promises OF cEntfblr
tant returns. And even In the matter OF dress
the sterner sex are not altogether guiIt]ess Of
an extravaganza which forms the basis of their
railery at sisters and wives.
Now, the remedy tor all this present and pros
pective evils plain one-PERSONAL RE-
Observation-Disclosures ECONC-
MY. 1t behooy,s eeery man to inquire in
what he can now entrench, and it will benefit
all to cultivate now the homely virtue Of thrift.
Save every where Save in servants-a terri
bic source of extravaganca; save in household
expenses; save in your pleasures; save in your
business; buy little; pay. as you g.; let more
household work be done by the family, and less
for the family be not ashamed to zeconomize
in trifes; live fugally, shun debt drive your
business make trade, do not wait for it; vel
come capital and industry, no natter what
honest man brings them; blush not to labor; if
you are an employer get the full worth of your
money, if you are an employee give the full
worth of, your r.Wages-honesty demands this in
the first place, and sef-iuterest in the next.
It is by the observance Of such rules that
competency comes in ordinary times, and safety
in these
No one can form an ilea Of the amount of
retrenchment possible until he makes the ex-
pertinent himself, or tests itin the light of facts
about him ="