The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-24

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In this country, under British free trade, the
consumption of cotton has fallen in three years
bales, and more than twenty five per cent,
with every prospect Of further decline, not
withstanding the growth of population.
1t is asserted that low prices stimulate con-
sumption; but what are the facts as here shown?
With all the enormous reduction of price that
took place in the last year. the whole increase
of 1850 over lS49 was but 10000 bales, to set
off against diminution in our domestic con-
sumption of one hundred and fifty thousand
bales; and dlmlnutlon as compared with what
we should have consumed in the last year, had
the tariff of 1912 been maintained, of more than
three hundred thousand bales. We beg of our
Southern friends to study carefully the state
ment we now lay before them, and then to
determine for themselves if the destruction of
the domestic market caused by the tariff of
$40 has not been attended with a loss to the
cotton planting interest of more than the sum
we have named-ffty millions of dolars-large
as even that appears.
1t is here stated that on the 30th December
last the price was as low as it had been at any
time in ten years, except at the close OF 1874;
and it may, therefore, be well to compare the
facts of that period with those of the present
one, with view to enable our planting friends
to understand how they are being benefited by
the present revenue system, under which the
country is so rapidly running in debt:
Bales.
The crops raised in the three years end
ing with 1874. averaged. 2,267 200
Ofwhich the domestic consumption, then
Just beginning to recover from the de-
sructive effects of the revenue tariff
Of lSil-2, absorbed an average off,. 800 900
Leaving for export. ......... 1867 900
The crops raised in the three past years
have amounted to about 100000
bales, giving an average of. 2,333,OOO
OF which the domestic consumption from
the Atlantic ports has absorbed an av-
erage Of about. 10000
Leaving for export only. ....... l,S63 200
Being an average of one hundred thousand bales
less than in the former period, although the
Treasury tables give an excess in this latter pc
Rod averaging about forty thousand bales.
How some of the statements furnished by the
Department can be made to square with the
facts known to have taken place, we cannot see,
nor is it important--it being sufficient for us
that the quantity supplied TO Europe in the
last three years has not materially, If at all
exceeded that supplied in the three years end
ing in lSii-seven years since-and that yet
the price has fallen To that at which IL then
stood, notwithstanding very considerable in
crease of consumption in Germany, Russia, and
the other nations Of the continent which protect
their farmers in their efforts TO draw to their
sides the men who strike the hammer and
drive the shuttle. We should be glad if our free
trade friends would study these facts and explain
the cause of them, if ii can be found in any
other than the one to which we are accustomed
to attribute ii, to wit, a constantly diminishing
po,cor 10 pay for cotton among all The unprotected
communities Of tie ,rorid-to wit, Ireland In
dia, Portugal, Turkey, and the British colonies
generally. Further, we should be glad If they
would explain how it is that, with stock on
hand Of only 494 GOO bales, the price has fallen
| almost as low as II stood in December, lS4i
when the stock on hand was CD 900 bales
and prove, if they can, that this does not argue
a constantly increasing power of the spinners o.
Manchester over the planters of Alabama and
Mississippi.