The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-01-29
Cotton Growing.

necessary product, Cotton. Previous to
the invention of the cottongin, Slavery
was not viewed so favorably, pecuniarily
or morally, as at present. The time and
expense of preparing cotton for market
limited its production, because it limited
its profit. The men of the South then,
to large extent, talked of Slavery as an
evil, to be endured only until, in the pro-
gress of time, it might be got rid Of
They threw about it such restrictions as
were calculated TO prevent its spread, in
expressed hope that thereby it would die
out of itself, causing no commotion and
no convulsion, WHITNEY's invention,
however, largely increased the ease of
cotton production, and the consequent
proftableness of the crop. Its culture
was of course largely extended, and the
capital invested in it greatly increased
Slaves Sere in greater demand, and pri-
ces proportio2ably accelerated, The
Cotton States offered profitable market
for them, and opened trade In them
with the more Northern States. Thus
the interest increased, and ramified
through the whole South, daily aggle-
eating capital, daily growing in import
ance, and gradually overturning moral
sentiment, until, entrenched as it is in
the pockets of the people, it warps their
consciences AMI their dgments into a
belief of its humanity and its business.
Cotton has been the power that has
wrought the change. The worlds de-
mand for this staple has increased in even
greater ratio than its production. The
world cannot get along without it, and
as America has enjoyed a monopoly Of
the market, its producers have come to
regard the world as subject to them.-
Cotton, they boast, is King, and can de-
clare its own terms TO the world. This
idea is the basis of all the arrogance ex-
hibted by the Cotton States, and in the
present contest we hear Of nothing so
much as the power and glory of Cotton
Confederacy, which, possessing cheap ne
groes, and free trade, will enable its clti-
zens to advance to the highest summit of
opulence, and to rule the world through
its productions.
However unsubstantial these views
may be, no one can dispute that they ex
list, and that they have had the effect to
drive the Cotton States into their present
position. And certainly nothing could
so soon bring them to their senses, and
so lessen their intolerable arrogance and
presumption, as the knowledge that the
world is not dependent upon them for
cotton In this connection, therefore, ii
becomes a matter of much interest to
every anti-slavery man, to every one
who hopes the time may come when
Slavery and tyranny shall no longer be
known in all the world, to know what
steps are being taken, and what promises
are given, OF cotton growing in other
countries. The Abolitionists of England
have long urged that the most effectual
way to abolish Slavery in the United
States, is to grow cotton elsewhere
Aud the British Government either in
this view, or because good policy, and
even self protection. requires that its
manufacturers should not be lief. with but
one source Of supply for SO indispensable
and vital an article, has been indefauga
bic in its efforts for the last few years to
increase the fields of production. In the
Chicago Tribune Of the 18th, we find a
summary Of these efforts, and we shall
repeat them. JOIN MITCHELL writing to
the Charleston Mercury, from Paris, says
that one object of the late Anglo-French
war with China, is to open new source
Of cotton supply. China, he says, pro-
duces six times as much cotton as the
Southern States combined. 1t is of
coarse kind, however, and the object is to
better the quality and increase the sup
ply. The labor is cheap and land plenty
for this purpose, and should the English
get a foot hold, Mr.. Mitchell thinks
American cotton would soon find but lit
lie market in Liverpool and Manchester.
Cotton has also been introduced by the
English Government, or by the Cotton
Supply Association, into Turkey, Greece,
Asia Minor and Australia, with fair pros
pect Of success. Africa is also being
tested, and promises more fair than any
other region. The supply, already, is
not inconsiderable, Egypt now export
ing ono hundred thousand bales, and will
probably soon increase 1t to million
Ir Western, Eastern and Southern Afri
ca, aud along the Niger and other rivers,
/ the culture has commenced under favor
ahla circumstances. And i'm the interior