Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-11-03
Tn. Production OF Cotton.

or, and philadelphia North american of the
2sth ult., there appeared articles upon the
production of cotton, which We read with
considerable interest. From the Tribune we
learned that the English Government. slim
ulated by the manufacturing interest. which
feels and dislikes its dependence upon the
United States for cotton, energetically con-
tinues its exertions to increase the produc-
ton of cotton in other quarters Of the globe.
In Africa, it is said, there has been decided
improvement and increase in the cultivation
that new cotton lands have been discover
ed-and that the natives are being restrain
ed in their disposition to engage in petty
wars formented by slave Dealers and are
engaging with assiduity and success in the
growing OF cotton. 1t is also said that in
India, the production is rapidly increasing
and that SO soon as railroads furnish the
means Of cheap transportation to shipping
points, it will still further increase. 1t is ar
gued that, owing to the low price of labor
In both Africa and India, the production will
be at much less cost than in the United
States, and therefore, eventually. American
cotton, of the lower grades at least, will be
driven from the leading markets of the world.
Under the impression that this result will
have an important bearing upon the contn-
nation Of African slavery in the United
States, the philosophers of the Tribune would
gladly welcome the day when it shall become
affixed fact" -
The North American also refers TO the efforts
which the British Government is making in
Africa and India, and in regard TO what is pro
posed in the latter country, says, Mr.. JAS. Will
SON. who has received the appointment of
Chancellor OF India. has lately been making
public his views of the means that must be
used In India to bring up the revenue from
that country to the point that is required by
the heavy expenditure that takes place on its
account-an expenditure, by the way, that
must be larger in futu:e than it has been,
since the number of European troops to be
sent out from Great Britain, and maintained
In Hindostan, will be more numerous than
In times past, when the main reliance of the
British East India Company was placed on
the sepoys. Mr.. WILSON takes a sensible and
true view of the subject. He sees no way
In which the Indian finances can be placed
in o satisfactory condition, except by develop
ing the resources Of the empire. He be-
lieves this is practicable, and that it can
readily be accomplished under the influence
of BIRTHS capital, the application of which
shall be directed by energetic Englishmen
residing in India. He discourages colonial
ton in India by Europeans, on good grounds;
for he points out that Europeans cannot
compete with the natives, who work for re-
muneration that seems TO En- glshman to
be nominal. 1t is in this connection that Mr..
WILSON speaks of the cultivation of cotton,
in manner that must be agreeable to the
feelings of the members of the Manchester
Cotton Supply Association, who continue
to hold frequent meetings. The British look
ofMr. WILSON in their Oriental empire; aud
he gives sort of assurance that, so far as
his influence goes, the growth of cotton shall
not be neglected, nor the existence and object
OF the Manchester Association forgotten.
The continues the North Aneri
edn-under which the proposed development
OF India is to take placc--the relation of
labor and capital to each other--it will be
perceived, bears some analogy or resemblance
20 that in the southern States of our union
The capital aud general direction of indus
trial pursuits is to pertain TO men of Euro
pean origin, whilst the labor is to be perform
ed by the native who is the cheapest laborer
In the world. But slave labor, as it exists
with us, is confessedly dear; and the cost of
living in any part OF the United States is
very many times greater than in India Here,
then, We have given the elements of the prob
lem; and the question resolves itself into this
If the physical condition of any large dis
trict in India--and Africa may be inc luded
in the category be found favorable to the
growth of cotton, will English capital and
English directors, in command Of an mex
haustible supply of cheap labor, he able to |
reduce greatly the price of cotton, and I'M |
dersell our own planters.
The North A ; erioan Is of the opinion that |
1t is possible the next twenty years may give |
an Affirmative answer to this question. But |
IL does not, like the Tribune, see in it the
euthanasia of slavery. 1t thinks that impor-
tant effects would follow--one of these would
be that we should have the cotton growing
States demanding protection from our gov
eminent for their great staple. They would
be among the loudest advocates of protective
tariff, no doubt. Hence it may be well TO
suggest that they should take time by the
forelock. that they be not too fierce in their
denunciation of the principles Of protection.
and that they should concur and aid in mea-
sures directed to the building up Of home
manufactures. The day may come when
they will find the home market their only re-
lance. II the Manchester Cotton Supply
Association succeeds in their object the day
will inevitably come" This view of the
question is of not less importance to the poll.
teal economist than TO the planter; and it
would be well for both to reflect upon il.
On the other hand, the Courier and Enquirer
Is Of the opinion that the repeated failures
of the British Government TO get up a rival
to the United States. have satisfied both the
government and the manufacturers, and that
IL would now appear they have conclu to
be content with having their mills supplied ,
by US, that they have discovered that a crop
large enough to meet only their real demand
10 all they need. They do not wish surplus :
crop. They know that the manufacture OF /
cotton is not now confined to England alone,
and they fear an increase Of supply would
be advantageous to manufacturers of other
countries. u
Which Of the positions above mentioned is 9
he correct one, we are not prepared to say. n
We are not inclined to believe with the &
,l,,sri<r a,d Euots,r>~ tn AZ ths Rri,;sh a.
nent and manufacturers are content with a