Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-10-04
Att5m0n6 enquirer.
BIZ TYLER WISE & ALLEGRO.
THURSDAY MORNING, OCT. 3, 1851.
Confederate Government asa ~
~SpecuIator and Money Lender.


The Confederate Government AS a Cotton
SpecuIator and Money Lender
We look forward with great interest to tho
time when the vigor Of our arms shall have
driven the invader from our soil, and when his
nitrate vessels shall no moro lie Oft our ports
jikp robbers at an honest mans door. Welong
for the day wheuoo. the insults now offered us
shall be atoned for, and when the outrages
shall cease. We desire TO see our people free,
as is their indisputable right, to pursue their
various callings in peace, and to seek their for
tunes by all honest means, protected at home
and unmolested by foreigners.
Between this day and that, however, there
lies a season Of trial and sacrifice. The mis-
fortune from which no people are often long
exempt, has come upon US for the fourth time.
Twice, in common with others who are our
enemies now, We have had to withstand the
onset Of a kingdom then the most powerful
on the globe. Our domain vas ravaged, and
cities were captured and despoiled. Our people
suffered long and suffered much. But they were
unconquered. The march of the irresistible
army, which in the Revolution traversed our
Southern States, was like the path ola ship up
on the ocean, where the waves close as fast as
they are divided, and the sea retains no trace.
The roll Of events has again brought US,
through no fault Of ours, to the experiences OF
war. We trust we arc not less brave aud self
sacrificing than our fathers. We must accept
as heroically as they did, all the responsibilities
OF our position, and endure its Inconvenience
as uncomptainingly.
Upon our Government devolves the most
arduous duties. To its accustomed operations
is added the task Of repelling an enemy that have
thrown themselves upon US with 4 wild frenzy.
| They have called for nm army greater than
| Napoleon's, to trample us by a rush. East,
West and South-on the Potomac, the Ohio
and the Missouri-by land and by sea-they
arc precipitating upon US their numerous
hordes, and running themselves that they may
ruin US. Our government has to provide the
means of withstanding these. Men were want
ed. The call had only to be made, and gallant
bands assembled at the word. Money was
wanting, and the patriotism and lieerality OF
the people, and the wisdom of our rulers, have
met that want too.
But these wants Of the Government will be
continuous. They will last while the war
lasts. The necessity will, therefore, exist for
the continuous support of the people-both in
men and means. We must expect this. We
must be willing to it. We must provide for it.
The Government will necessarily need our
utmost help; and its energies and means should
be left as free as possible to be devoted 10 the
great work Of Confederat ate defence.
1t is true that while sustaining their govern
ment, the people will have to do so under dis
advantages. Our business has been interrupt
ed; our accustomed commerce has been broken
up. This may diminish our ability to aid the
government; but it should not relax our efforts.
If one avenue Of industry is closed we should
seek out another. If we cannot follow our &C
customed business, let US try something else.
All must contribute as much as possible to the
resources and credit Of the Confederacy and
the government.
These reflections are SO obvious that we al.
most owe an apology for presenting them
But yet we are sorry to think that
their utterance is not altogether with
out necessity. We have been panied to
see the ideas which have gained some curren-
cy in a portion Of the more Southern States,
and to which We respectfully ask tie candid
consideration Of our Confederate brethren
there. We are sure that an examination will
deprive them Of all favor. 1t is proposed by
some that the Government shall buy, either in
whole or in part, or at least make advances
upon, the crops of our cotton planters in order
to enable them to endure the evils Of the
blockade. In other words, while the Govern.
ment has the weight of the present war to car
~, and the means to provide for prosecuting it,
it shall also sustain q portion Of those to whom
it looks for support 1t is forced to use its
credit to provide means for the war-it is pro-
posed also that it shall lend its credit to a por-
ton Of its citizens, to support their private
industry.
1t is easy to see that under such a double
load, our credit would soon break down, and
benefit nobody. Our Treasury notes would
soon depreciate; and in the effort to do, in time
Of war, what no government would be able to
do even in time of peace, we should make q
general shiPwreck of credit and resources.
No one feels more sympathy than we, for
the interruption to their ordinary prosperity,
and the obstruction to their accustomed bust,
ness, which the cotton planters now expert
ence, in consequence of the blockade. But we
trust it will not long continue. We trust that
! the pressure from within and without-our
own vigorous efforts, combined With the wants
OF the world-will soon burst open our ocean
portals. Our policy should be directed to
this. 1t is Lincoln's policy to seal our ports
to prevent the shipment ofa bale Of cotion--to
prevent that return of articles from Europe
which we want, and which the shipment Of
cotton would ensure. II is his policy to turn
away the attention Of Europe from our cotton
felds-to accustom the people there to doing
without our produce, and to seek supplies or
substitutes elsewhere. Our policy is precisely
the reverse and just so far as We can give it
effect, the cotton planter gets relief. Let
us destroy this blockade as soon as We
can. Meanwhile, let Us welcome every
ship that breaks the blockade, bringing us goods
OF specie that WI want, and taking tho cot
ton which we wish to sell. Every bale so OK.
changed adds not only to private relief, but to
our aggregate resources.
But to the extent in which Lincoln succeeds
in his policy OF shutting in n1r commerce. and