Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-07-15
what is Money?

For the Spiri, OF jefferson, with the expectation
that the Free Press win copy.l
The above heads two column article IN the
last Spid by Observer There is au ED
proyerb which runs ihus;-"Blesssd are ;hey
who cypect nothing, for they shall not be dis
appointed we beg 20 be excused from boring
o,y readers with observers two column
augcr-mattcr more interesting to the writer
than to readers generally.
observer very kindly offers 90 answer our
question in a previous issue-"AonCy, where
is reyerseley to tell US where it is
not. We thank him sincerely, but our own
experience has taught US that long since-we
know well enough whore IL is n0t-but sup
posing tbst in alltho weeks which have elapsed
since our article was published Observer
from bis long silence, must have been hunting
round like ourselycSl to see where it IS, we
grieye that he has met with no better success
than ourselves and can only tell Us the old
st0ry-whore it is not.
We had and still have no intention Of enter
inc into discussion Of the financial affairs Of
the couutry-we fail to perceive the utility Of
such discussions, aud though not in sympathy
with the shaver or Insurer, cannot see that it is
our duty to impose long proSy articles on our
subscribers who, though they may feel inter
cs.cd 10 a general way, will in few instances
care to study out the details, or TO worry over
the abuses Of such a crooked system pursued
in such partial manner by such a set Of I'M
scrupu.5us public officials. Besides, we are
ne, uumiudful that our days are gliding
swiftly by and We do not care to consume
them by riding from time to eternity on COB
servers hobby.
observer % lays great stress upon his being
a farmer. We have great admiration for the
farmer he that tilleth the soil shall have
plenty Of bread but We fear observer has
not made the distinction between the landlord
and the farmer. Were we to place our de-
pcudence upon some Of "the farmers'-so-
called-wc wot Of, we fear the "Oid Family
Journal would so under. Niue-tenths Of our
subscribers are not hrmers-neither DO we see
the Io;nt Of the brief quotation from the C,R-
cil,Rat Enquirer, but we 10 think that COB
server, in dwelling on mouOPOl'sts fails 30 see
that there are land monopolies as web as trade
and manufacturing ones.
We are not lsanerS OF shavers, but borrow
ers, perhaps Ike Observer notwithstanding
his broad acres fland-which bring him two
per cent" and upon which money is to be
based, Sc. Observer says, aud doubtless
thinks he is a farmcr-two per cent is no
proof Of it. We doubt whether he ever held
the handle Of q plough or cut a swath in his
life lie Is large landowner Suppose he
gives up his monopoly" and divides hls farm
into q dozen-shaTipg with those who oqa
maksit payl
Like the late l3meutci" wen tell a little
story. Whether our farmer Observer ever
competed with the down East pIoushman'
in shaking stumps We leave to those better &C
quaiat9d with the gentleman:
1.-TWO ola ploushmou down East were tel
ling tough stories Of their exploits in breaking
up new ground. Twas up in Dixmoat, TWEEN
ty-seyen years ago this Spring, I was plough
ing in stump ground with team OF nine pair
Of cattle for Sol Cunningham we were going
along maxim not very smooth work among
rocks and stumps when ono day the pint o
the plough struck fair against @ sound stump
four foot through, split It square acrOSs the
heart, and I was lollerin the plosgh through
when the thought flashed through my mind
that the pesly stump might snap together and
pinch my toes, 50 Jest gripped tie plough
handles firm and swung my feet mp out o the
way. and the stump sprung back and catched
the slack Of my pantaloons That brought
everything up standin' Well I frightened my
hold, and jim Swithiu. he and Sol was driyiu'
they spoke to the cattle, and we snaked that
stump right out by the roots. and it had awful
long ones.
~Itmust ben straiuin' on your susVcadcr52
said the other
Ny wife knit en-