Staunton Vindicator

Confederate Money.

Since the enactment the Currency and Tax bills, as was anticipated by many would be the case till April 1st, prices have been attempted to be raised, and from no cause, that we can see. An excuse is given, that sellers are forced to do it from the fact that they are compelled to fund their money or exchange for the new issue at 33 1-3 per cent discount, or in other words three dollars for two. There is no reason for this increase in the prices of articles held for sale. If the seller could save himself at the prices he sold at before the passage of these acts he can not possibly lose by either the funding or exchange of his old notes. Suppose that he funds what will pay his taxes for the year 1864, which, all who have any large amounts to pay will do, he certainly has not lost a cent by that operation, virtually paying his taxes with the old issue. but suppose he is compelled by delay, by possession of a larger amount than he desires to fund, or otherwise, to exchange his old issue for the new at three dollars for two, he will not have as many dollars in his pocket after the exchange, but he will be the possessor of that which will certainly purchase as much as the old issue he exchanged would have done before the passage of the Currency Bill. This is perfectly plain, since there is of the old issue in circulation now $750,000,000 and by means of the exchange of the old issues for the new alone, that amount will be reduced to $500,000,000 (which amount can never again be exceeded) and hence from this diminution in the amount of circulation and consequent appreciation of the new issue, 66, 2-3 cents, then will be worth $1,00 now. But when we take into consideration the funding and other features of the bill, that amount will be reduced much more. The least liberal calculation we have seen does not make the amount likely to be in circulation after July 1st more than $300,000,000, just $50,000,000 more than is thought by all to be necessary for the business purposes of the country, which last amount will surely be absorbed by taxation and the amount in circulation will then be at the acknowledged healthy standard of $250,000,000 or just one third of the present circulation. The exchange of three dollars of the old issue for two of the new cannot be injurious, since only one third of the present amount will be in circulation, but on the contrary after this exchange one dollar should be worth three of the present issues and hence the increase in prices now is altogether untenable under the excuses given. We say to our readers, use but do not abuse the present issues of Confederate money, on account of the fear of loss from an exchange for the new issue, for you can not be injured by it. Buy only what you need and o not pay the increased per centage asked by some dealers, but fund and exchange your money rather and you will be better off in the long run.

A Word to the Wise.

We copy below an editorial article from our co[n]temporary of the Rockingham Register which seems but just and fair and accords with our sentiments, but we do not restrict ourselves to Mennonites and Tunkers, believing that every man whether over the age or exempted by the provisions of the Military bill is now called upon do his duty and his whole duty and is recreant to his trust if he fails to do it. We are glad to be able to say that the farming class in this county are bending their energies to produce to the greatest possible extent.

To our German Friends.

We wish to say a word to our German friends, the Tunkers and the Mennonites, on the subject of their duty to their Government and their country in this crisis in our fortunes. They are exempt from all military duty by the simple payment of a few hundred dollars. The Confederate States Congress has shown its respect for their rights of conscience, and has ratified the obligation into which the Government had heretofore entered. It is expected of them all that they will do their duty fully "in the field" of agriculture and of peace at home. They must all go to work now and raise all the provisions which their farms can possibly produce. The Governme[n]t expects it of them, and they ought to do it. It will be seen and known who of them now fails to do his duty. We have heard it stated that some of them did not intend to raise more upon their farms than will be necessary to pay their taxes. We do not believe this; but if it should turn out to be true, we pledge ourselves to report to the world and to the Government the names of all such enemies their country, for enemies of their country they certainly are.

The Confederate Congress meets again in May, and if it shall then be found that any man who has been allowed to remain at home has not done his duty as a farmer, we hope the law may be so changed as to put him into the ranks of the army. No man ought now to be allowed to remain in the Confederacy who will not do his whole duty to his country. Virginia expects and has a right to expect that every man will do his duty.