The national Republican., 1861-11-21
COTTON.

We print on the outside several recent notices
in respect to the rapid expansion Of the cotton
in India.
No error Is more egreglous, or indeed 30 en-
tirely destitute Of even plausibility as the sup
position that England will take the burdens
and risks Of war, for the sake Of getting cotton
from America. As . matter Of choice, che
would prefer to-day that America should never
produce another bale Of cotton, and the longer
the cotton crop Of America Is sealed up, the
better che likes II. We speak, Of course, Of
the controlling sentiment Of the Euglish states
men. merchants, manufacturers and people.
What they have desired for years, Is TO have
al independent supply Of cotton from their
own colonies. which has been thus far pre-
vented by the competition Of American plant
srs. and they will cheerfully submit 70 the
Inconvenience Of temporary high prcer while
the chiet source Of supply Il being shifted from
one part Of the world to another. This transit
tion period involves losses to individuals ard
classes, ard II Is the clamor Of these indvid-
usls and classes in respect TO the blockade OF
American cotton, which deceives those who
Judge specifically, as to what the real wishes
Of the English nation are. A recent number
Of the London Times observes:
"Our readers can be at no loss to remember r
the main difficulty which has hitherto prevent.
ed any extensive cultivation of cotton else.
where than in America. The Americans had
got possession Of the market, and retained
their monopoly by the punctuality and excel
lence Of their supplies. No cotton could boat
Nt.... o..
he had. Other descriptions could only contend
for the margin or surplus of the custom which
the favorite article might leave. Even now II
the crop ~ the Southern States could be lib
Grated. II would, AS far AS 1t went, drive all
other cotton out Of the market. Consequently
there was no certainty Uf demand or price r
Indian or other foreign cotton while this state
Of things lasted; and, II there had been II"
81 long time. Now, however, there Ia a sud
dsn opening. American cotton Is actually ou
of the neld for the moment, and there is NJ
saying how long It may continue so. Compe
t,tion is free to all, and there will be room
during this unexpected opportunity for the i'm
provement Of the Article up to the requisite
standard. When America appears in the mar
ket again. India ought to be her match; and
relieved from any risk Of another cotton
drought. while India will be- enriched by a
trsde Of many millions year"
The Times sometimes writes 10 . different
strain, but it Is in the views extracted above
that it expresses The opinions entertained il
England for thirty years past, and which tha
proverbially tenacious people are not ct al
likely to give up In day, and merely because
the s.orpsge of The American supply Of cotto'
causes the price Of the article to rise for
single year, or for two years. The Englis
are m sturdy and as dogged In theft CONNER
eiai policy, ss they are in their wars. The
are not blown about by every wind Of doc
trine. To get cotton from India has bee
their hobby for genaraton and the last thin
which All Englishman gives up, Is his hobb!
While the Southern planters have been delut
Ing themselves with the idea, that their cotto
was essential to England. the truth really i
that the English are rejoicing at the blockad
Of American cotton, and instead of desiring I
put an end TO it, only wish that 1t may bs pc
petual.
The actual difficulty we have to encounts
is not that Of maintaining our blockade, b,
OF meeting the competition in the business
cotton raising. which our civil war has stin
ulated in all quarters of the globe. And th
sequel will show that we cannot meet tn
competition without introducing into our co
ton cultivation the cheapness and sficienc
of free labor. 1t is in that way, and In tbs
way only, that we can recover our ancient 81
premacy in that branch of national indu.try.