New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-01-19
oorroN SPINNING ON PLANTATIONS.

COTTON SPINNING ON PLANTATIONS.
A month ago or more gave detailed descrip-
ton Of a new invention by Mr.. George G. Henry, OF
Mobile, through which, it was set FORTH the con-
version of raw cotton into yarns to be made easy
profitable and certain on Southern plantations The
exposition of the workings and advantages of the dis
covery were so plainly calculated that nonful6ll-
ment of promise seemed impossble and we were
then, as now, persuaded that it was fraught with
benefits of ncacuable value to the South if properly
understood appreciated and skillfully and industri-
ously carried out.
In another column we give a letter addressed by
Mr. Henry to the editor of the Columbus (Ga) En-
quirer 1t speaks for itself in length detail and illus
tlation and mall respects so far Impractical
Judgment enables us to comprehend and apply tech
nica phrases satisfactory to eminent degree. To
it we refer the scores of friends who have written
lis for information in the premises. The inventor eX
plains his invention better than anybody else
Whether this invention is all that is claimed for it,
or whether it is destined to be improved upon or
superseded by superior inventions, one thing is
evident as logical proposition: The cotton growing
States can by one process or another, by machinery
or hand-work, convert large proportion of their re-
ishng the product of their plantations and thus as
necessary consequence, add immensely to the ndi-
vidual and aggregate wealth of the Southern people,
The only wonder is that this movement in the right
direction, which, while it leads us onward in the
path which can alone commercial independ-
ence, while it tends to the rapid acquisition of
wealth and the consequent acquisition of power to
resist and repel imposition and oppression from
I,uifh hnc honr, c1o,r
there is hardly cotton planter in the South who
cannot, each year, spin into yarns with the old
fashioned spinning wheels. one-ffth of his crop,
without interfering with the production from the
soil he anticipates the following season.
Suppose, for instance, that oneitth OF the cotton
crop spun into yarn and in that state exported to
Europe! Can any doubt that large profits would
not result to the home spnners herefrom- new
and lucrative opening to home industry would not
thereby be aforded-and that, in this fresh field of
labor, we might not reap advantages that wond add
at least twenty per cent to the value of that product
which has for years constituted us the commercial
arbiters of the European world We think no rea
sonable doubt can exist on the subject among inte-
gent men. Europe needs our cotton. Europe can
not get along without Our cotton in some shape or
other. 1t makes no difference to US whether our
trans Atlantic brethren receive and pay for it as raw
Or spun, Or woye cottonthey must have it, as it is
indispensable to supply clothing to their swarming
millions. Further, every one knows that if cotton
growers became cotton spnners that the expenses of
transporting the spun article to Europe would be
materially reduced while its nstrinsc value would be
largely enhanced. Here is great saving both ways
to say nothing of the beneicent results that would
flow upon of the South Just as sure and inevitably
as water seeks its proper level, from the establish
ment of magnificent system of home industry among
ourselves. A better opportunity to supply want
long felt and almost universally acknowledged was
never offered.
Not long since we proposed, as an encouragement
to Southern industry and its incident, Southern indie
pendence that the legislatures of the various cotton
growing States offer moderate bounty per ton upon
all cotton yarns spun in those States for purposes of
foreign expectation. we considered the proposition
q good one at the time, and so consider it now
when it was made, we were not cognizant
OF the invention of Mr.. Henry The subject was
brought before the Savannah Commercial Convention
but was oyersaughed there, that stupendous body
having too much to do with projects to put atioat
" steam ferry" across the Atantic-the ferry boats
to cost eight or ten millions of dollars each-or to
build railroad to the Pacific at cost of one hun
dred millions of dollars, which, when built, would
not pay running expenses by three four millions
of dollars annually to take any heed Of matters
possessed Of practical Importance.
Still, we have not lost sight Of the matter and
shall not fail to press it upon the attention of the
Legislature which meets in Baton Rouge next Mon.
day, We regard the enterprise as one of vital
moment Stimulate it into lilc and soon will need
no assistance Let our Legislature supply the first
stimulants. Nothing more is required.
In conclusion, we again refer our readers to the
letter from Mr.. Henry which may he found else
where