| From the Memphis Appeal |
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| April 21, 1863 |
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| The Food Question |
| Most serious amidst all the
perils our young Confederacy has now to encounter, remarks the
Charleston Mercury, is the irregularity of supply in the
provision market. There is not, nor has been, any real scarcity of
food in these Southern States; the difficulty is owing solely to the
lack of systematic energy and enterprise in the distribution of the
abundance of particular districts, among the communities of less
favored localities. Doubtless the work of distribution has been
seriously embarrassed by the want of adequate railroad facilities; yet
we cannot but believe that with such as we have, economically and
prudently managed, the more pressing wants of the country might easily
be met. |
| In a matter so vitally
important to our cause the people ought to come forward and assist the
government, as they have already done in the clothing of the army and
the care of our sick. The men who, in a crisis like this, hold back
grain or provisions from the market, in the hope of hereafter reaping
larger money profits, are inflicting upon this imperiled country a
blow more deadly than any traitor's hand could give. While the
government is exerting all its energies in the great emergency, the
people should see to it that the whole existing resources of the land
are brought out. |
| Under the provisions of the
late impressment bill ample protection is provided for the producer.
His interests are guarded very minutely, and wrongs cannot be again
practiced. Under those circumstances, ;et the planter not only labor
to increase his store to an abundance by tilling the soil, but also
furnish what can be spared from his present stock at once. An
examination has demonstrated that there is more than enough now in
store to supply all wants until the next harvest can be made
available, and if our people will but perform their duty, the idea of
our being starved out will soon vanish even from the hopes of our
enemies. |
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