The Oxford intelligencer., 1861-03-06

chase Of provisions for the annual supply of its
citizens Every bale of cotton exported 10 pro-
vide foreign food for our inhabitants operates
only as an exchange of labor which could have
I been more economically expended at home in
producing the imported article-no permanent
benefit or strength accrues q the State or its
citizens If the planters, however, ldadopt
a system of culture commensurate with the ali
mental wants of the community, the surplus
labor bestowed in the growth and production of
cotton would indicate the actual strength of the
State in time of war and individual prosperity
in time of peace. Could no other reason be
adduced against the impolitic course of export
ing cotton to supply the State with food, when
the same could be raised as economically At home,
the science of political economy would suggest
one, sufficient of itself to change our customs
and habits in this NATTER and that is, the inn
poItance of saving the expense of transporta-
ton, which is a considerable item of expendi-
ture, and entirely lost both to the consumer and
the national wealth; to say nothing of frequent
losses sustained by auctuation under the eyer-
changing law of supply and demand.
Thus far feliow.citizens, we have only ad-
dressed the argument to your pecuniary inter
est, which we conceive sufficient of itself to
arouse your earnest consideration in relation to
a modification of the agricultural pursuits of the
State
1t becomes our duty, however, under the ex-
igencies of the country to appeal to much higher
! l,a Of if,,lo Of Gtota
perils that surround her, demand the united ac-
ton of all her people and interests to sustain
her.
The planting commuiity occupy prominent
position in this respect, and must incur heavy
responsibilities by their future course
Those States which by their repeated aggres-
sons upon the rights Of the South, have pro-
duced the present disastrous state of affairs in
the country, menace the seeding States with
the design of attempting coercion under the
pretext of preserving the Union. They refuse
security and protection to our property rights
IN the Union and deny US the privilege of peace
ably withdrawing from it. However unwisc
such a policy may bo--foreycr destroying all
commercial and social relations, and producing
hostilitics between newly organized governments,
which should cultivate by treaty stipulltons the
most friendly intercourse, so as to preserve as
nearly similar as possible the varied interests
that existed under the Conledoracy, yet the
history of man in the philosophy of his nature,
proves that his acts result, as much from emo.
tional influences as from mental or logical con-
cusiOns.
The bitter ordinations and rccriminationS
produced by sectional party conflicts have left
strong feelings of hatred in the minds of the
people Of different sections, and which may end
in civil war. Already declarations have been
made of determination 20 coercc The seeding
States 10 submission to federal authority. Such
an attempt of course will be met by stern resis-
lance. However deeply We may regret the ne.
cessiiy for such solution Of existing difficulties
between the North and South, yet wisdom and
prudence would urge upoT Us the most ample
PREPARATION for any sequence that may result
from the action of our State.
In case of war an army must depend for It's
supples almost exclusively upon the agricultu-
raj interest of the State. To meet this demand
change in the culture of the soil must be
made. The cotton crop must be diminished and
the provision crop materially increased. Other
wise where would the army and our citizens
who arc notagriculturaliSts obtain food for lhem-
selves and families War would cut them Off
from intercourse and trade with those north
western States, from which they have formerly
obtained supplies They could not be had from
the other side of the ocean, for the halfstarying
multitudes of those populous nations are them
selves dependent upon the alimcntary resources
of this continent for subsistence. The only ref
lance for provisions must depend upon the ac-
ton Of our own agrculturalists. If our plan
ters should pursue their former unwise course Of
planting cotton and neglect supplying the staff
of life, we place the power in the hands Of our
enemies of subduing us without fringa gun
An army without provisions must be disbanded,
and we shall present 20 the world the singular
history Of a nation whose forces were subdued
not by invading foes, but by the eupidity Of its
own citizens Shall such a history be written
Of our State? The answer TO the question dc
wolves on You, plaafeys cf Mississippi
In addition to our own supplies we must also
t remember the situation Of some Of the other
States Who viii become allied to Us by common
interest Some Of these States much older than
our own have by the injudciOus system of eul-
ture before indicated, drained their soil, by the
exhausting process of the cotton culture, and
must depend upon their effete lands alone for
food They Will naturally look to the fresh and
fertile lands of the west to supply the DEFICIENCIES
We feel confident that even in pecuniary
point of view no loss viii be sustained by adopt
/ ing the suggestions Of this address
The altered relations Of the State will furnish
ready market and rcmuncratiye prices for all
/ the provisions that shall be raised The dimin-
ution Of the cotton crop and consequent IND
proTement in quality from the greater time and
care allowed in gathering it viii necessarily en-
hance the price Of the staple. The manufactur-
er Of cotton will be compelled to purchase it.
! the SUPPLY even under high pressure system Of
production has scarcely kept pace with the de-
mand such is the increased necessity of the civ
/ ilized world for it The diSinclination Of the
I planters to buy property under present eircum-