Mississippi Democrat., 1845-01-22

Inc luluou1 hpPt ~ tutioH ~ INC value
of one Of our great staples, cotton, the
suddenness with which the decline has fa-
ken place, and the dreafy prospect Of a
reaction that the future presents, have
given birth TO various suggestions design
ed 10 foster the idea that combination be
brought about on this side Of the Allan
tic, Of an extent and potency equal 10 sus-
tanning prices ut point that would remu-
nerate the producer. The plans shadow
ed forth Of effecting this object are, many
Of them. so wild and impraticable, as to
betray their origin--a depressed and dis
appointed slate Of mind produced by dis
asters that have come upon large class
Of citizens with rapidity that allowed
brief preparation for a crisis SO over
whelming. This decline seems to have
been owing to natural causes, as every
speculation that has been entered into 10
arrest it has resulted in loss to the parties
concerned. Now that over production
has worked its legitimate consequence, II
is curious to reflect upon the infatuaton
that urged the great body Of Southern
planters upon catastrophe that mode
rate degree of sagacity and caution must
have foreseen. But as prices receded, the
planters strove to make up the difference
in increased crops--the very policy that
was sure 10 aggrayate the evil.
Amongst The numerous remedies pro-
posed for the existing state of things, a
Convention Of Cotton planters has been
suggested. The object Of this body will
be to devise means for reducing the quan-
tity raised. 1t is much to he feared that
convention could not come to any def
mite arrangement, either in respect to the
ratio of decrease, or the modes Of effect
ing il. 1t would have, in the first place,
10 determine the amount Of the crop to be
raised it would be necessary to appor-
tion this amount among the cotton grow
ing States, and then again among indivi-
dual planters. Any general rule of re-
duction would bear SO heavily upon GER
tain districts as would make it oppressive.
Say, for instance, that il should be deter
mined that the crop is one.third too large.
and TO reduce it within the limits agreed
upon, il should be further decided that eve
ry planter should reduce The production
on his estate one-third, by planting one
third less acres in cotton. Would not this
be an onerous condition with the young
planter who has just begun business with
a force .disproportionately large in compa-
rison with the number Of acres he has
prepared for cultivation? Or should any
other arbitrary measure be adopted, the
instances of hardship under it would make
it unpopular, Suppose it was agreed
that no more than certain number Of
bales should be raised TO the hand, how
would this effect the cultvators of uplands?
The iilIers of the rich bottom soils would
be the only sufferers; the reduction would
fall on them exclusively. II is almost, ifI
not quite, impossible to devise any rule or
measure that will not work unequally,
when applied 10 such an extent of coun-
try, TO such variety Of soil and modes Of
cultivation. Besides, were convention
to agree to any fixed measure, that promi-
sed success, if faithfully carried out, what
sanctions could it give Of enforcing acqui-
escence in its mandaiesl The DEGREES of
the convention would be binding only up
on those who were members of il, or who
sent delegates 10 represent them in that
body The obligation Of even those
would be merely a moral one--such as
the upright and honorable would fulfil
with scrupulous fidelity. But many would
not The planters might donounce such,
and justly too, as recreant members oil
society, and cstracise them from all fel-
lowship--yet denunciatons Of this sort
would have little weight with those whose
sense Of honor would not keep them within
the terms Of their engagement. And then,
again, the large numbers who would not
agree to be represented in the convention
could scarcely be held amcnable 10 its
DEGREES.
Is there then no remedy Although we
doubt the power Of conventions to furnish
one, we think the good sense of the plan
ter may--ard this too will be done, IL !,
done at all--wthou. any combination or
concerted action. Sef.interest should long
ago have done that which self.defence
win soon make necessary to be done.-
When il is known thata crop Of seventeen
hundred thousand bales will fetch more
money than one Of twenty-four hun
dred thousand, il seems strange that plan
,ers do not employ their labor in raising
other products than cotton. That the
smaller crop would sell for more actual
money than the larger one, needs no other
demonstration than the commercial history
Of the past year. Just twelve months ago,
the impression was very general that the
crop 10 the United States would fall short
Of the preceding ycnr by six hundred
thousand bales. Tho effect Of this belief
was to rase prices 10 point nearly 100
per cent. above what they rule now
this, too, in the face Of large surpluses