Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1857-01-13

The feeling that there will short crop OF cotton
has so universally pervaded the public mind that
specuations have sprung up based upon tnis sup
position alone. These speculations have had tue
effect Of increasing the price 10 the Interior to such
a figure, that shipment to Savannah involves al
most certain loss, and the same remark holds
good between Savannah and Liverpool Win
these facts staring in the face, we not stand
ing on exceedingly dangerous ground? should we
not look carefully about Us, and at least consider
what the result viii be if our brilliant anticipatons
are not realized? The most powerful, and in fact
the only, argument that the purchaser on specula-
ton forti6es his mind with is that Europe, and
especially England, is obliged to have cotton at
any price. Let US loos into this thing, and see 1t
England will not make some shifts to relieve her
self 10 a certain extent from such enormous tax
for the raw material. We admit that she needs 1t,
and that without it great suffering would come upon
her operations but can she not do with great
deal less than she had last year? The common re-
in these cases. and it is well understood by the
manufacturers when it is necessary to take so harsh
a STEP is to work short time This plan has many
and very serious objections, which duly consid-
cred by the employer, but the prices can attain
such height that it will be carried out by all who
are engaged in the man ufacture OF cotton. 1t has
been dong already By some. Should it be gener-
ally adopted, to curtail their working time, say
one-ffth, at once the consumption OF cotton de
creases in the same ratio. 1t is difficult to make
the English manufacturers believe that there will
be a short crop. They have often heard the story
of Wolff and so seldom seen him. that they are
always inclined to doubt these reports, and con-
tinue their work undisturbed well knowing all the
while that we have got to send them the cotton at
| last.
Again il is not absolutely certain that peace will
continue in Europe. 1t is highly probable that 1t
! will; but there are contingencies which would
bring about War, and when run the risk OF these
| speculations we should consider these contingent
cies. Another thought which rises to our minds
is, that each passing month brings US nearer
another harvest which will relieve all anxiety fet
| by the manufacturer by rendering him certain OF
full supply Besides this there is decrease IN the
demand for manufactured goods at high prices, and
a cessation in part to manufacture is seized upon
opportunity to clear away the Accommodations
| of previous work. The stock of raw material IN
| the hands Of the manufacturers is small and their
purchases are made to supply immediate wants;
knowing that pecuniary ruin is their certain fate If
another crop catches them with large supply on
| hand. Each man works confidently, because he
scquaints himself with everything that bears upon
his business. They have reduced the matter to a
science, and when they work in union to overa
come our efforts to get high price, they are usu
| ally successful These may be unpleasant truths
but is it not the part of prudence to look them in
the facet We believe that crisis is approaching
and operating as is usual with upon short time
paper, we battle at fearful odds. We look with
| fearful apprehensiOns for the recurrence of such
years of misfortune and loss as all of our readers
can recollect, and we raise our warning voice now
1t may be unheeded and unnecessary. 1t is moi
acting the part OF the wise man and skilful ope
rator to let desires run away with our reason
-SdOaunah Republican.