Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-06-22
The Planters Intere.t.

4AV WSA0 !
On our first page will be found an interesting
and truthful paper, communicated to the New
Orleans Bulletin, in which is condemned, justly
and with good reason, in our opinion, the prac-
toe that has been pursued by nearly all of the
p~lanters Of this State, in djreoting their atten-
ton 70 but one product, as the surest or the
only means Of adding to thor prosperity and
happiness Sugar or cotton has been the main
object while every other interest connected
with a plantation has been entirely lost sight
of. WI hold it as , true waxim, apart from the
ease of mind which such a practice creates, that
in all trades or pursuits of life, a man's expen-
ditures SHOULD be brought down to the lowest
possible ebb; and the planter, who Of all others
is subject to greater chance rs to the amount
Of his annual profits, has the greater cause to
be guided by this rule. In our humble opinion,
he should 20 manage tho domain over which
he rules supreme, as to be Independent Of all
reverses, save that which an overflow creates
and use his utmost wisdom to be superior even
to that calamity. His attention should be given
to every product that is required on his planta-
ton. He shauld never dream of purchasing
hiscorn-shopld raise his own cotton and sheep
should have his own loom, shoe and black
smith shop-shopld raise his WI STOCK.
Such q course, if generally adopted, Cor even
Individuality, could not but be attended with
the hsppiest results. Every thing over and
above that required, which the planter raised
by such a course, could be sold as easily and
a. .d~yantageousiy as that Of sugar. while the
cares OF his mind would be far less weighty,
which is a consideration to a wise man OF the
first Importance.
In our country, the people seem run mad
upon the culture Of staple products, in the re-
gions where they are cultivated to the great
est advantage. They turn the farmers life into
that of a gambler and Spectator. They are
dependant upon = chance, and an evil turn of
the cards. bad season, a fall in prices, Or
some such usual calamity-is ~yuinons to one
third of those thus engaged. Is such the le-
climate mode Of practice laid down by reason,
for those to follow xho cultivate the earth?
Of all the professions or pursuits, that of the
farmer seems to us to be more nearly allied to
true virtue and independence. They are the
true lords Of the land-the true pillars Of our
republican happiness and grandeur. It is =
pursuit that seems to be far beyond that little
ness and contractedness of soul which m inor-
-dinate love Of wealth, or Of making money, in
evitably creates. Hospitality, generosity, can
dor and eordiality, are principles which We have
been taught to believe were terms appropriately
applied to the farmer or planter. But they do
not seem appropriate when bis whole soul is
immersed in one grand speculation or achieve
ment-that Of producing, for instance, the
largest crop Of sugar, regardless of svery other
neutrality-suspicious. Of the loss in value
Of his land, annually, which the raising Of any
one product solely, will eventually effect-re-
gardless of necessaries to support his hands
and stock, for which be RIM = great risk Of
having to pay enormous pfiees-regardless Of
the wear and tear Of his animals, or of their
gaunt Or sickly appearancs-regardless OF the
health, to say nothing Of the comfort, Of his
slaves-rsgardless, in fine, of his own worldly
interest, his own quiet and peaceful happiness
for the short space that he has to dwell upon
this earth, and regardless Of all those finer feel
ines Of orr nature that we have alluded to,
(swallowed up in the pursuit Of gain, mania
like, and il > false direction) without the ex-
ercise Of which the world is, indeed, a blank
and q curse.
Outwardly generous and unseldsh a. 3 man
would wish to appear. whatever his pursuit, if
b. 10 known to Be An inordinaie gr.sper sitter
sold, we have reason to doubt his sincerity
But this Il not the theme that NE intended
Moralizing Is rather An unpalatable subject in
this ageof monisd infasnce and importance.
The interest Of the planter-hia Pecuniory,
d well Is that which relates to his mental well
fare-n what engages our mind At present, and
without further comment, would beg respect
| fully that the article alluded to. headed 't10 the
Sugar Planuers,'' would; - read BY our sub
scribers, but particularly those who are most
interested.
81. LEsL11-Ws understand that this gen.
tlsnan Will remain with u until the lst of Sep
tember, and will At ill times be glad to zee
| Ahnsa nAnuirinr hia aervicas. IN the naylor If the