The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-05-26
EFFECT OF THE WAR UPON THE
PRICE OF COTTON AND NEGROES.

| FhlCE OF COITON AND NEGROES.
The first effect of the declaration of war be-
tween the continental Powers of Europe has
been decline in the price of cotton. That
this result has not been produced by the de-
rangement which has taken place in monetary
affairs, is evident from the fact, that a rise in
the value of breadstuffs and provisions has been
simultaneous with the fall in the great South
ern staple.
! A general state of war in Europe cannot fail
to be attended with these opposite effects upon
the productions of the Northern and Southern
sections of our country. The hundreds of thou
sands of men called to the field of battle will
be distracted from the class who are now en-
gagged in producing the necessaries of life and
while material reduction in the amount OF
grain and provisions produced On the continent
of Europe will thus take place, the waste and
extravaganza of war will considerably enhance
the quantity necessary to supply the market
The contrary effect win take place in regard
to cotton. Not laborer viii be taken from
the cotton fields by the European war; The
production will go on as usual, and yet it is
morally certain that the foreign demand must
be lessened by variety of causes, even if Eng
land should keep aloof from the contest The
regular course of commercial intercourse can
not but be interrupted to some extent, by the
conflicts of arms upon sea and land, as well as
by arrangements in the currency. France and
the German States, which are nov extensively
engaged in the manufacture of cotton, will from
these causes. almost entirely cease to patronize
our planters; or, at any rate, their resources
will be so crippled that their manufacturing in
terests must suffer great abatement from their
present standards. The manufactures of Eng
land will experience severe depression from
like causes. Her markets will be crippled, and
her finances deranged and even if she man
ages to keep out of the war, she will cease to
require the immense quantities of American
cotton which she has consumed for number of
years past.
But it is the general impression, that Eng
land cannot avoid engaging in the war. Her
statesmen are anxious to escape the terrible
alternative; but if the London Times is to be
taken as an exponent of British sentiment, the
chances are against her maintaining the peace
We sincerely hope, for the sake of humanity,
that England may have no cause for engaging
in war, with France for an antagonist but if
such war shall commence, it will at once re-
duce the cotton culture in this country to a
point of depression which it has never vet
known; and as consequence, the present in
fated value of negro property will receive its
death blow.
1t may be said that the war with Russia was
attended by none Of the disastrous consequences
to the commerce of western Europe and Amer
lea that are here predicted of the present war.
But it must be remembered that the Russian
war was carried on upon the confines of Asia,
if we except the blockade of Cronstadt and
other Russian towns upon the Baltic The
peace of western Europe was not for moment
disturbed, nor even threatened, by that war, and
its only effects were felt in stimulated produc-
ton and enhanced activity in trade
The present embodiment is of far different
character 1t is war of races in the heart of
Europe, and will bring wars loud alarms to
every peasants door. 1t will be impossible to
carry on the ordinary operations of the farm
and the workshop with accustomed regularity
and success, at the very moment when the de-
mands of the commissariat and the money
chest will be redoubled. Under such circum-
stances, 1t would be folly to exP Beet that the
continent of Europe will require the same
amount of cotton, or cotton goods, that it has
consumed for number of years past The
army must be supplied with provisions and
clothing; but the people at home can dipense
with foreign Injuries, at time when every
nerve must be strained in order to pay taxes and
keep soul and body together
From the operation of these causes, we shall
look for great abatement in the zeal of the
Slavery propagandists, and particularly with
that class of them who advocate the revival of
the African slave trade, among the results of
the European war.