The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1860-12-19

1914 ~



Icondition of our interests. We now see the
election o. Black Republican President
Whatever might have been done by the peo-
pie to prevent the calamity, it is now too
late: our political leaders have led US until
thew can lead US no farther-and we should
now, as they seem to nave let all hold loose,
try and devise some protection to our inter
ests and institutions generally. The people
are those who should do these things, and
now have full opportunity. see the legis-
latures Of Mississippi and other States have
resolved the purpose Of calling together a
convention of all the slaveholding States to
consider upon means for proper action for
the safety and good Of all Of our people.
The very unsettled condition of financial af-
fairs throughout the country has caused quite
depression and constagnation in our cotton
market. Cotton is our support, and a boun-
tiful provider, if We will only protect the
market in which we throw it. The cry for
some time has been an oyerstocked market !;
the price has been controlled by this cry
whenever there was no other excuse as there
exists at present. Can We not protect our
great staple from tho ravages Of the moneyed
vampire! Can We not, the producers, adopt
mutual protection to ourselves by calling a
convention Of every State and county in
which cotton is grown and agree upon some
course to avert the almost certainty Of every
year falling in the hands Of these ungody
shy locks9 Can we not establish satisfscto-
~ reduction in the production Of cotton'
counties, with penalty sufficient 10 protect
such laws from violation. Say, for instance,
the cotton planter in the aIluvial or swamp
lands be allowed to. plant six acres Of cotton
per hand. Those on the lands above over
flow, which are not billy, or might be term
cd second rate lands, plant seven and half
acres per hand, and those on the hill Or pine
hill lands be allowed to plant nine acrcs;-
that each parish or couhty appoint survey
or, one or more, whose duty it shall be, as a
sworn officer, to survey each cotton crop in
their respective appointments, and be empow-
cred to qualify each planter or agent as TO
the Number of hands each plantation may
have on it; and the amount surveyed is all
the cotton each place may have in culliva-
ton at the time, and any other provisions
that may be necessary for the payment Of
said officers and the punctual fulfiment Of
the laws or compact that may be agreed up
on by the planters or their representatives in
convention or legislative halls. as may be de-
termined upon. II the cotton planters will
adopt this plan they will not produce so
much ce.ton, but better article will have
time to cultivate it well and handle it nice
Both the greater demand and superior quail
ity that will follow this course will increase
greater per centage, added to the lesser
amount produced, and yield more actual
money than we can obtain if we produce
the largest crops ever mace, and thereby
keep the market overstocked. We shall, BY
this course, have steady and certain de.
mand, beside an almost established price.
Beside this, we will have time to withdraw
from our crops sufficient labor to produce,
say, one third more corn, besides ether food
which will be sufficient to feed our own
country at least. We can then have more
time and more food to attend the importance
Of raising our necessary stock, horses, mules,
hogs and cattle; and all that is necessary for
us to do this, and compete with any portion
Of this Union, is time and food, which we
cannot have if We strive to produce twelve or
fifteen bales Of trashy cotton per hand--to do
which will consume the labor Of every day ID
the year, Of which every cotton planter has
had practical proof
Now I propose that immediate action be
taken upon this subject, and that our repre-
sentatives in this Southern convention be in.
ssructed By their constituents through pri-
mary meetings, to be held in each county OF
parish, ard be advised to have before them
this subject, when all the cotton States are
represented otherwise that convention
for that PurlDse be called.
Should secession be forced upon us luring
tho administration Of Black RepubIicanism.
se would then Be found prepared 10 feed
ourselves and hare protection from the rule
OF any power on this earth. With sufficient
and the establishment Of manufactures
aasong Us, together with our cotton, We have
I'll that any country can boast soil that
produces the growth IS every climate on
earth iron and coal mountains and every
facility Of navigation and commerce. within
our reach, and Why not 10 moment act for
orr interests and their protection, when it is
u our power At any moment " may choose
~ 10 nrATTnN mr. ! N,rr,r.