Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-08

The Cotton Question in London Further
Views Of the London Times.
The London Times Of the 22d ult, has the
following: ..t
The American revolution is advancing
with rapid strides to a consum nation.
Within week or two we may expect to
hear of civil war between the States of the
Great Republic. Anxious as we feel to
escape such conclusion, we do not see how
1t is to be evaded. The North is no longer
disposed to make concessions, even if the
South would listen to compromise, and, al
though we may allow for certain amount
of clustering on the part of the Secessionists,
nobody doubts that Americans are ready to
fight. We look upon this prospect with un-
affected horror. Independently of our
natural sympathies, we have enormous in
terests, at stake-such interests, indeed, that
our charity must begin at home. -
We deploTe the political catastrophe, but
our first thought must necessarily be given
to its commercial effects. IL the Southern
States of the Union are convulsed by war, a
servile insurrection will be only too probable
an incident of the strife; if the slaves rebel,
the cotton crop perishes; and with the
failure of the cotton crop comes the para
lysis Of our own staple manufacture. The
question is so momentous that it can not be
too seriously urged or too expeditiously
entertained. Lancashire depends on South
Carolina, and what South Carolina is doing
becomes terribly evident from each success
sive dispatch. The kilograms of Saturday
last were the most ominous yet received
and If we compare with those reports an
article from weekly cotemporary, which we
yesterday transcribed, the perils actually
ahead of US will be distinctly appreciated.
Not doubt exists about the resources at
our command. Cotton can be grown almost
as commonly as wheat. The best seeds and
the best staples are now well understood,
| and the proper methods of cleaning and pack
| ing are easily taught. The rest IS the work
of year or two. Since the publication of
our last remarks on this subject, we have re-
ceived communication from one of the So
cieties interested in African civilization, in
| forming us that the progress of cotton cul-
| tivation at Abbeokuta, as actually and au-
thentically recorded, is such as to match the
| beginnings of even American enterprise.
In 1850, that obscure, though productive
region, sent about half a bale of cotton to
| England. In 1855 this medium had been
| increased about forty fold, and in 1860 it
actually amounted to 1000 bales We are
assured that the district could easily grow
cotton enough for the consumption of all
Lancashire, and we are asked whether the
introduction of skilled negroes from the
| United States would not soon give US new
| Charleston on the African coast? From
India the offers are the same. IT, in 1857,
India could send US, as she did, $50, 900 bales
it is with the encouragement of strong de.
mand she could raise her supplies to 1000, 00C
bales-nearly half of our immediate wants
Then, again, there is Australia actually in.
quiring for staple article of produce, and
desirous of nothing better than to be set cot.
ton growing for England. We do not dis.
semble the particular difficulty of the case
We have repeatedly observed, and we ac
knowledge once more, that America has got
the call of the market. 1t is not that hel
advantages might not be equaled in the enc
by those of Australia or India, but at pres
ent she enjoys all those facilities of organiza
ton and traffic which woIgd have TO b,
created elsewhere.
The creation would be perfectly praetiea
be, but it has still to be accl mplished, an.
in the mean time there is the Old fashionel
firm, with its capital, its connections aud al
that makes business profitable, yet undam
aged. Nobody can say, however, that tn
security will last month longer, and beside
that, our national interests call imperativel,
for new supplies. 1t is worth rejecting tina
if the agriculture of the slave States snoult
be ruined, there will be a trade of E4O, 600,
coo year 10 be picked up by some othe
countries.