Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-01-21


A Rtreaae Free 1i0de- Discriminating Und.r
n maximum, I'm purposes N rcrenus, uah inci-
GcniaRu protecting manniaf.nrtS.
The Baltimore American notices the discus
sion which is now going on in The cotton States
upon question which has been recently re-
vivcd, VIZ: whether they Go not raise TOO
much cotton in proportion 10 the demand
and whether il Is not best for them 10 raise less
cotton, and turn their attention 10 other pro-
ductions of the soil, OF 10 manufactures The
problem is certainly worthy OF great consiera-
lion. 1t was lately get up by Mr.. Dave Of
South Carolina, ust returned from France, ana
is about 10 engage the attention OF the agricultu-
raj societies OF the State II may we'll be
doubted, in the first place, whether The consump
lion OF coltonh has already attained its maximum,
and whether there will not lie demand for more
OF the article, ifGreal Britain would yield TO the
petition OF her cotton manufacturers and reduce
The duty on lis importation. In This case less Of
her own flax would be wrought up into linen suttS,
and the manufacture ot more cotton fabrics
would call for more Of The raw cotton from The q.
States Passing over this element, however, in
the calculation, and admitting that there is full
scope for the discussion, whether the South had
not better raise less cotton and more OF some
other article, il becomes question, what they
>ha II raise Shall be more breadsluls, 10 save
them lie expense Of buying il 2 Shall il be cat
tie, horses and hogs thus reducing the number
purchased OF kenlucky shall il be other pro-
ductions OF The oil7--ricc, barley madder, &c,
&c The Baltimore American quotes The ST.
Augustine News for the fact, that son account
Of the low price OF cotton many o! the planters
OF Florida are about turning their attention 10 the
cultivation Of tobacco The planters in GaLs,ien
county have done good business during the pre-
sent year. as The tobacco crop has taken prece
dence OF The cotton and the amount raised in
that county is estimated al nearly four hundred
thousand pounds. Most Of il has been shipped
10 New fork-it will probably average from
twenty-five 10 fifty cents per pound' III MAJ be
found by these experiments, (says he Amercan,)
that Cuba tobacco can be grown in Florida ana
other portions OF our Southern country. The anti
Gle at all events, produced in those attitudes will
MOI be likely 10 come into competition with the
tobacco of Maryland, Virginia, and The Western
States"
The culture of the Itnc is also attracting some
notice in Georsia-and the Juice Of the grape is
another production which is said 10 promise pro-
fi,able results "Anciently (says The Americana
wines were not made in Europe North Of ltaly
The vine-growng regions Of France and Ger
many have a celebrity Of comparatively mo
dern date, which has resulted. perhaps As much
from care and jndicions culture, rs from any
especial adaptations Of soil and climate
The American also advises the citizens Of the
South 10 iurn their water power into domestic
manulaclurcs-and il refers 10 letter from Joel
Crawford 10 Thomas Butler King, 10 show The
facilities which Georgia Possesses, and he profits
she may make under "Whig Tariffs"
WE SEC nothing in these statements oil The 8al-
tnore American, except perhaps in lie lasl pro-
position, TO which WE can object. We 60 for
Tree discussion in all the South, about The means
OF varyin. and improving The productions OF
agriculture II she raises Too much cotton
it should liz asceuained, and her soil turned TO
other objects. If she cannot improve nron her
agriculture, there would be no objection To manu-
features, provided that branch Of employment
could lie left as free rs agriculture itself. We
agree with The American on the broad ground,
that individuals in the South should look Ia their
own affairs. and decide for themselves which is
best for them 10 raise. II is their duty to Judge
abont their own interests; and no one is as good
a Judge as themselves. Their own interest, en-
lighlened hy their own experience, makes them
more sharp-si.nicd than the Government can he.
So far. then, we agree with the American. But
suppose lis Editor were 10 90 further and take out
of the hands of the Southern people The power oil
Judging Of their agricultural Interests; and sup
pose Congress SnoiIld possess diUi eAe'p'~c uiS
power by excise laws and other regulations, 10
say how much cotton should be raised by the
South, would not the protective men e1claim at
once against the usurpdtion Would they not
say. "No. no; let us leave them alone. They
will find ont for themselves, better than Congress
can do, ricn they raise too much cotton, and ,raen
they should turn their hands 10 other productions,
and ,chat they should be"
WHY. then, when We have arrived al this point
in the argument so cozcniy together, does the me.
rican take new ground, and suppose, that though
individuals can best determine for themselves what
articles il is best for them TO raise on their iaras
vet that they eanno,jndse al what time and in what
manner to lurn their capital and industry from the
soil IN the establishment of manufacturers The
moment Won confne them TO the land, if seens, the
people are wise enough TO ascertain their own inter-
es,s-but The moment they tumto something else,
they are seized with an incorigible stupidity and
the Government mnst step in to regulate their In
yestmens. WHY thisdstinction2 Why notleare
i, to men 10 determine whether they should raise
the fruits Of the earth, or manufacture The fabrics
of The loom1 But so devoted is the 3. Ameri-
can 10 lis idol that it exclaims al the end OF its
nnicle "If politicians would agita'e less al the
South. and give place 10 men of practical sense
o., .:rkt- laos nh M