Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-06-19
From the Cincnnari Gazette
COTTON--1TS POLITICAL AND FINAN
CIAL EFFECTS.

The power Of Cotton is frequently spoken of n
something permanent and universal in the politi
cal economy of the United States. "Cotton i
King" says one: and the STAKEHOLDER ponts L
it the one and allsufficient cause of the exis
rence and perpetuity of Slavery in this country
These views are exceedingly superficial but lik
other superficial theories have some present an,
apparent truth to support them In the last thrt,
years of American commerce and politics, cottoI
has had conspicuous part and seems to be King
1t governed the South, and the South governed
the country. 1t furnished seventy millions of our
exports per annum and thus furnished la-g,
part of the foreign exchange, and enabled ou
merchants and bankers to acquire credit in Europe
| Hence, that curious sort of politics which
prevails in Boston, New York and Philadelphia
under the name of Conservatism" 10 conse,v
good principles is good thing--but what is mean
in our great cities by conservatism What is tC
be conserved? Is it the morals, religion, or free
dom of the country? Is it the happiness of oul
families, or the safety of our property? Nothing
of the sort These are all safe, and, threatened
with no danger except such is common to hu
manity in its best estate Is it the Constitution
Happily all parties and all sections have beer
hard at work to conserve the Constitution. 1t i.
so well preserved that are afraid to use some Of
tho good parts of it
After the most careful examination, it will be
found that conservation in the United States-as
the term is employed no,c.a.dayS--does not mean
any special regard to the Constitution laws virtue
religion, or happiness of the country, but simply
means the conservation of cotton and negroes Ii
means that "Cotton is King" The superficial
writers of cotton politics have regarded its Gomin
ion as permanent and universal and have i'm.
pressed that idea the popular mind. But we
should remember that in these times. the reign OF
kings is very uncertain. The dominion of Cotton
Is thing of yesterday, and may disappear TO-
morrow as easily. In The convention which franz
cd the Constitution of the United States, the only
fn- CT
was its necessity for the cultivation of Rice, not
Cotton. The relation of Cotton to the commerce
and political economy of this country has chang
ed, and is changing, and there are events going
on which must result in the termination of any
kngship, if such there be, in Cotton. Let US ex.
anime the facts of its production and consumption.
The production of Cotton has unquestonably in
creased with great rapidity But the important
problems are, l. Its relation to the whole produc-
ton of the country. Q Its relation TO exporta-
ton. 3. The probability OF an increased con-
sumption, and 4. The competition of new fields
Of production. In regard to production, Cotton
does not hold it's own in relation TO other crops.
Thus, from 1910 to 1850, the increase of Cotton
produced was "a per cent. that of Indian Corn
60 per cent that of Hay 80 per cent. and that
of Rice $50 per cent. Since 1850, the gain of the
great staple crops Of corn and hay has been still
greater Gradually, cotton is becoming of less
Importance in the general aggregate of produc-
HOu anu dS III DeCOlHeS sOi inc CunserVutVeSt
whose ultimate principle is commercial interest,
will learn that the commerce of the United States
does not depend on Cotton. In very few years
this will be very obvious fact. 1t is not strange
that when we see cotton commencing in 1890,
with production of very small quantity, and
running up in sixty years to three millions of
bales, that commercial men should be deluded for
time with the idea that this vast fabric would
continue to prosper and become the ruling element
of American commerce. But cotton, relatively to
other productions, reached its zenith ten years
ago, and must soon be content with secondary
place, great is its positive amount in the scale
of production. This will more obviously appear
from its relative erportatiOn. Thus: ...
1851. 1857. Increase
Cotton export Sll2.3l5000 $l3l.575.00 Is pr. ct
Food export 2l.94S.000 74,677.000 $50 /:
Take again years at greater distance:
1895. 1857. Increase
Cotton export sos 900 900 Sl3l 575 900 100 pr. c.
Food export 2l.94S,000 74677.000 600 4:
The aggregate of exports of cotton and food in
1885 was 77.000.000 of which cotton was more
than fee sirths The aggregate Of these exports
in 1857 was s2O5 900. .OOO Of which cotton was less
han .Jow sisths. In these figures there can be no