The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-02-26
AGRICU LIT U n
To the Planters OF tho

u
to stay the tide of public sentiment, yet as
one who has dared to do this in times past,
again will do it have been oft times
your monthly visitor, and to very many not
an unwelcome guest And l have visited
you when you knew me not, of course
speak in parable as it were, and that
mean to say, my writings have visited you.
I learn from others that articles of mine
are copied in many papers; these as well as
original articles, with or without signature
have found place on your tables could
ot exnect that all would appreciate, nor
That nj, Of nv readers could divest them
selves of preconceived views to be ao'e 10
embrace. Yet for one who has written SO
much, with nothingt to recommend, save %e"'
for tho welfare of our own land, ana lor
vour success in planting, and the pursuit OF
happiness, doubt if l have not as much 10
he proud of, as any other ordinary country
man. now claim of you an impartial hear
ino. and invoke you by all the love you
have for our own "Sunny South, and by
all the kindness you have shown me as a
laborer for the common veal, that you VIII
examine, pause, rohcct, then, be sure you
are right and go ahead"
Ienter the lists against no man,nor against
any opinion nor opinions. l take the piaih'
broad, well-troddcn path of truth, and truth
demonstrated by all time. then approach
the subject. Can you expect to be heipcd
by calling upon the law-maklng power
By invoking party, conventions, puohc SEN
timent. SC, &C.? Our great staple has de-
clined; we arc now laboring for almost
mere subsistencc---taking the cotton growing
States together. Do you suppose charter
ing banks will sustain you! DO you not
know by all the past, that an increase Of the
circulating medium, thoagh it may enhance
the price of cotton, yet it will do so to every
thing else, and thus you will not be bene-
fitted, but taste for improvidence, &c.,&c,
will be engcndered! Have you not seen
through all time, that when there IS an
abundance, prices can be influenced by capi-
talists, and where n scarcity or bordering
upon it, there is increase Of price? Without
going into figures,---which | admit never
lie. vet claim they are often nsed failaclous-
ly,-let us look at the past thirty years.
We have had low, very low prices; and we
have had high, very high prices--we won'"
now think,---and l ask rs plain farmer,
having no ultcrior object in view, save our
common and united good, do we not see
twenty-nine thirtieths Of that time, that
moderate crop pays more than large one,
and that even the report of full average
crop has caused prices to rctrograde Then
how on earth can you follow any "will o
the wisp" idea, foreign from this true one.
! have seen it stated that there was not too
much Cotton made. I grant it, and own if
there were 3,500,00O bales made, there
would not be too much, yet try it and you
will see prices go down to 8 and cents.
say three and half millions would not be
too much for the poor, who could then pro-
cure warm, comfortable, abundant clothing
at such prices as they could pay. 1t is true
though, they might dance and cotton plant,
crs would pay the Ndaiers.
Remember the waggoner who called upon
Hercules, and remember Hcrculus' advice.
and this give thee--help myself I object
not to meeting in Convention, and to learn
from all, all we can learn it il thus strikinn
the flint against the steel, that sparks are
produced. / object not to direct trade with
the European powers, with Asiatic powers
l object not to spinning thread to the extent
Of one third, one half, two-thirds, or even all
of our crop. But l do object to meeting---
and doing the talking part only--making
resolutions, chartering banks on paper, Gre
ating principle that demand and supply
govern not each other, and that low prices
and high prices are no criterion.
We must holp ourselves; we must endea-
vor to have more reading people; we must
strive TO inculcate principle other thaa
what is now practicSd on, viz: to feed land
and stock, provide for operatives, both rs to
housing, food, clothing, &c, &c, vary pro-
ducts, and rely less upon killing off land,
negroes, mules, and buying. We should en-
deavor to have laws passed in every State
prohibiting the introduction of slaves; we
should encourage the introduction of No. l
Jacks and work-horse breed of Stations.
instead Of taxing them. BY growing more
supplies, by providing good pastures for
stock, and thus endeavoring to supply our
own markets with beef and mutton, export
ing or working mp wood enough for plan
tation use, and the general policy which such
q plan Of work will induce, we would soon
see change in price, and more permenancy
In price.
Why shall we as q body risk consequences
by trying experiments Do we not know