Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-20

Before these remarks meet the public eye, the
stock of American cotton here will be reduced to
about $4,000 bales. This would be of compare
lively little consequence if we knew that a large
crop had been grown in America, and that the
greater portion of it would find its way here as in
former years. But 1t is of startling Importance
when, as we are credibly informed, the present
crop Of America is likely to be very short one,
and in the face of the fact that not single bale of
IL has yet reached any of the cotton ports nor will
do 80 during the continuance of war whose tiers
minstion nnot be foreseen by the most farsighted
politicians.
As the year rolls on this cotton supply question
forces itself more and mere upon our attention:
and though for many months past we saw the sp-
preaching evil, while many Of our contemporaries
ridiculed our fears, we really stand aghast at the
terrible reality of a dearth Of cotton which is
now confronting US. When the stock of American is
brought down to 100000 bales, we fear it viii be
in less than six weeks then prices Of that descrip
uon OF cotton Will be forced to q point which will
compel spinners either to enormously curtai their
consumption or to use East Indian cotton, against
which they entertain so strong prejudice. We are
convinced that even at this moment few realize the
extent Of distress which dearth Of cotton must
bring on this country especially.
The substitution without further delay of East
Indian for American cotton, and an immediate gen.
eral resort to short time can alone enable us to
tide over the coming winter with comparative safe>
~. Strange that those most deeply interested are
80 blind to their own interests es to persavere in
using American cotton almost exclusively, and in
working their mills full time while it is impossible
to forecast the duration Of the cotton famine
The American crop is slowed away by the plan
ters IN the seed, to facilitate its destruction by fire
the Northern troops should penetrate to the plan
tatlons. This Is By no means an impossible or even
very improbable contingency. Naval expeditions
against the South may bring it al to pass sooner
than any OF US Imagine. And if such expeditions
should effect landing, and penetrate inland, the
only allies they would meet would be the negro
population OF the Confederate States. Terrible al
lies those. Such expeditions if successful, might
result not merely in the destruction of the present
crop. but might prevent the planting of another,
and so deprive us for years to come Of our Ameri-
can cotton; calamity which can only be estimated
by calling to mind the fact that in 1860 we drew s.
per cent Of our total supply of cotton from Ameri-
We are no slRrmists all we have hitherto fore.
snsdcwed has too surely come TO pass. But We
sincerely hope that the Federal Government will
pause IN their mad career before they nflict such
terrible calamity on the industrial population of
the world: In view Of such appalling danger we
care not to have recourse to the figures of the cot
ton tables to show hew rapidly our stock of the
raw material is being used up by our manufactu-
rers with reckless prodigslity.
Even the advancing prices of Goods and Yarns
IN Manchester serves for the time to increase cur
danger, because it causes many of the mills to con-
tniue working full time.