RICHMOND, VA., September 17, 1863.
J. W. HARMON,
Secretary of the Confederate
Society, Enterprise, Miss.:
SIR: I have received your letter of the 22d ultimo,
inclosing a copy of an address to the people of the Confederate States, calling
upon them to unite in an effort to restore and maintain the par value of the
currency with gold by forming societies of citizens who will engage to sell and
buy only at reduced prices. The object of the address is most laudable, and I
sincerely hope for it great success in arousing the people to concerted action
upon a subject of the deepest importance. The passion of speculation has become
a gigantic evil. It has seemed to take possession of the whole country, and has
seduced citizens of all classes from a determined prosecution of the war to a
sordid effort to amass money. It destroys enthusiasm and weakens public
confidence. It injures the efficiency of every measure which demands the
zealous co-operation of the people in repelling the public enemy, and threatens
to bring upon us every calamity which can befall free men struggling for
independence. The united exertions of societies like those you propose should
accomplish much toward abating this evil and infusing a new spirit into the
community. I trust, therefore, that you will continue your labors until their
good effect becomes apparent everywhere. Please accept my thanks for the
comforting tone of your patriotic letter. It is a relief to receive such a
communication at this time, when earnest effort is demanded, and when I am
burdened by the complaining and despondent letters of many who have stood all
the day idle and now blame anybody but themselves for reverses which have come
and dangers which threaten.
Very respectfully,
your fellow-citizen,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series IV, Volume
2 (Serial No. 128), p. 809-10
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