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 THE RANDALL FAMILY 1 35

society than that of celibacy. Have, therefore, no doubts nor fears about me ; you were never more dear to me than at this moment, and, if my relations to you should ever materially change, you will be certain speedily to discover it.

But (to change the subject) I will suggest to you, as it is probable the Senate will pass the legal tender bill, a meas- ure which must soon create the most enormous inflation of the currency, and enhance the prices of all the necessaries of life, no less than the expenses of the government itself, it would be well to supply at once such things as are wanted in a family and are susceptible of preservation. I have myself done so in some things. The law will affect different classes of the people in different ways. Those who live on fixed salaries and stated incomes will suffer most ; also those who have debts not matured due them or rents on long leases. But the grocer, butcher, baker, who will also take the rag money at par, will demand a price for their goods in proportion to its deterioration. As to cotton goods, hope not to see those of a good quality low till the war is over ; for there is little good cotton in the world but that of our Southern States, nor any means of making it better, since it everywhere deteri- orates but in its native soil. Even the Peruvian plant ceases to be productive when transferred to another soil.

The recent Union victories must be quite gratifying to your Meadville people as well as to ours. It would be curious if the Union should ever be preserved by the middle or fence men who take no side, but go with the victors. As to large slaveholders, who were mostly con- servative, like all holders of property, I take it the number of loyal ones is now fewer, in proportion to the sacrifices they have made and the poorer condition they have reached ; but the real war I take to be with the poorer classes, i.e.

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