New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-10-15
RELfEF on TrsE pF.ANTERs.

81
Many suggestions have been made in regard to
the relief Of the planters Of the South during the
continuance Of tho war. They need plantation
supplies and clothing for their slaves and they
need money to pay their taxes to the State and
Confederate Governments. They have cotton to
sell, but of course have no market for; it. The
Charleston Mercury, in an article which we copy
below, objects to any legislation or action on the
part Of the Confederate GoTernment, and recon-
mends that the relief if afforded at all, be afforded
by the State Governments and the banks, the Con.
federate Government having nothing to do with it.
Here is the Mercurys article: Rs
We are at a loss to discover how the Congress of
the Confederate States can under the Constitution
OF their Provisional Government, eonstitutionally
pass o law authorizing the Confederate Govern
ment TO purchase the produce of the planter, and
give him Treasury Notes in payment for the pro-
daee. Are there no other means by which the
planters and producers of the Confederate States
may be supported, SO far as their plantation neces-
sites and taxes are concerned. We think that
there are. The Sovereign States, which compose
the Confederaoy, and the banks, can afford these
means. RI
The old habit, induced by the malpractice of the
United States Government, of looking for every
thing to that Government, is not yet eradicated
from the minds Of our people. That Government
had stretched its impertinen. and tyrannical inter
yenton into all our affairs. The people naturally
square their expectations of their Government, by
its practical operations. There Is, therefore, a
mistaken proneness to turn to the Central Govern
ment for remedy for all inconveniences or neces.
sites. The new Government we have created
among the Confederate States, leaves the States
untouched in their sovereignty, and commits to
the Confederate Government only few simple
objects, and few simple powers to enforce them.
Abe States have ample power TO meet the necessl-
ties of the planters. Their legislatures nave all
Isr a1sffn and mink
can pass a law authorizing purchase, in their
| behalf OF a portion of the crops of the planter
and give their credit for the purchase. By this
means, the Confederate Government will be left
with all its resources of credit, as the central
power to carry on the war: whilst the States
would by their credit, also aid in the great enter
prise for our deliverance. In effect it comes to
pretty nearly the same thing at last for whether
the States or the Confederate Government put out
the obligations to pay, the produce Of the planter
Will be the source to redeem them; and should
there be any loss in the operation, the people of
the Confederate States will, in both cases. OBJ
liged to pay the losses by which twill be satisfied.
The agency OF the States, it appears to us, will
also be more safe and efficient. Impositions will
be less likely to take plaee--a home public opinion
will restrain undue faVoritism, and surer and
more direct responsibility will secure more faith
full discharge Of duty. The States, therefore,
in our opinion, should assume the obligation of
eleving the planters and producers of the country
II, such relief shall be deemed necessary.
But the states ought not alone to discharge this
duty. They have given to the banks the great
sovereign power of making and controlling the
currency of the country. The banks ought to
assist, by their credit in carrying on the mighty
contest, in which their existence and property are
involved in common fate with the whole country.
They have, thus far done their part nobly. Let
them aid the States in the effort to supply the
means by which the four millions of slaves in the
Confederaey shall be supported with the necessi-
ties of life, and the taxes laid by the Confederate
Government shall be paid. By such a course Of
patriotic duty they will support themselves and
the country with which they are identified. We
believe the aid they may be called upon to afford
will be but temporary. We repeat it--that by
January American cotton will be used up in
Europe. European nations must have it; and if
we have the power and the wisdom to hold on to
it, and compel them, as the only condition by
which they can obtain it, to break the fraudulent
and Illegal blockade on our COATS set up by our
enemy they will be imbeeiles if they do not
sbreakit. Bat vigorous campaign into Maryland
wond contribute greatly to this result. With such
campaign States and banks would be perfectly
safe in issuing any credits upon produce placed
under their control. Our plantation necessities,
in that7event, would only need to be provided for.
Our taxes, State and Confederate, are not payable
until next Spring. -.-