The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-09-18

CeSSltlcS VI utcTary men. f1e was
their earnest advocate out of power,
and a warm supporter when in power.
We well remember suggestion Git
might have been a motion) made in
the Commons in 1882, by Mr.. Hume,
that some ribbon of honor should be
given by the State to men distin-
guished in literature and science.
The suggestion was opposed by Sir
Robert Peel. Mere symbols of dis
tinction, lie observed, was not what
was necessary for the wants ofliterary
men. "Honor to man in my situa-
tion," said Goldsmith, sis like ruffles
to man who is in want of shirt"
The more substantial appreciation Of
the public should assume, he thought
the shape of public pensions for ser
vices rendered. When this was said
the statesman by whom it was utter.
ed was not in power; but when two
years afterwards, he was in power, he
nobly illustrated the sentiments an.
nounccd on that occasion.
Sir Walter Scott was dead-but
many of tho great men who had star.
ted and run the race with him were
yet alive. Southey received a pen
sion Of E300 year, and was offered
baronctcy; Wordsworth received
pension ofthe same amount; ESQ a
year was given to James Montgom.
cry: and during Sir Roberts second
administration E2OO year was be-
slowed on Mr.. Tytler, G2OO q year
on Mr.. Tcnyson, .e2OO year on
Mr.. M'Culloch, and 1901 year on
the widow Of Thos Hood. Frances
Brown, the blind poetess whose touch
ing story is familiar to the readers of
the Athenacum, received also pen
sion at his hands. His patronage
was extended to the children of per
sons eminent in literature. For the
sons ofMrs. Hemans he found places
under the Crown, which they still
enjoy; aad the first appointment ofhis
administration was given TO a son OF
Allan Cunningham .Athsanss.ss.
from the Columbus Times, SIsi 'nIt.j
The Strength of the SoutT,.
COTTON VS.. ABOLITION PHILOSOPHY.
NJ. Horace Greedy, the abolition
philosopher, is very cunning per.
son, and if his power over the laws of
nature, climate, soil and production,
were only equal to his benevolent
purposes toward the South, we God.
defying sman stealers' would be, tru-
ly, in a very bad way. In his paper
of the ODD, appears an article, the
character and object of which can be
learned from the following sample:
CottOn---Flax---EEemp.
"Advices from the South seem
generally to indicate another short
crop Of Cotton, and consequent
maintenance Of the present extraor.
dinary price Of that staple, if not an
actual advance. We express no
opinion Of our own on the subject,
but simply state what appears to be
the general impression. If this
years yield of Cotton in the States
should not exceed Two and a Half
Million bales, we presume Fair Or
leans cannot be expected to average
less than 15c per pound in New
York and I 34d in Liverpool for
twelve months to come.
'This prospect prompts an inqui-
ry which seems to us deserving of
thoughtful consideration; Why should
the present dependence Of mankind
on the cotton plant to supply half
the clothing of the human family
continue? Is it reasonable? Is it
beneficial? 1t is certainly novelty
in the worlds history, based on the
accident of Whitney's invention Of
the Gin, with corresponding improve
ments in the machinery for Spinning
and Weaving. Flax is the more
hardy plant, will grow and yield lux
uriantly on far greater area of the
earth's surface; its fiber is far stron-
ger and more durable and it can he
produced up to the point where ma
cMncry becomes essential with a far
smaller expenditure Of human labor.
From some little (though not recent)
experience in its culture, we estima.
ted that six cents per pound for the
fiber if the crop could be sold in the
wcll'cured stalk undrcssed, wonId
literally pay for the labor and soil
required for its production one year
with another; and Flax is q much
surer crop than Cotton, while the
vast extent Of territory on which it
may be grown almost precludcs the
possibility Of o deficient supply
The single State Of Wisconsin, might
grow Flax to an amount equal to the