The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-05-22
[roR rHr IAsoAsrrn Lrporn.1

The existence of war has been officially
recognised by the Congress OF the Confed.
crate States and large armies are already in
the field prepared for the deadly conflict.
which in alI probability, will have begun
ere this reaches you. 10 this emergency il
becomes necessary for every citizen to do
his duty and his whole duty, that grim Wis
aged war may smooth his ~rinkled front"
The crisis is upon US the issue is mnde--
and met and our social aud political exis.
tence must be determined BY the stern ar
bltrament Of the sword. The war is un.
natural. The parties speak the same Ian.
guage, are OF the same origin, and have for
nearly n century been living under cons
mon constitution, forming the closest ulli.
ance possible for separate sovereigns to
form and still maintain their sovereig gn
rights unimpaired. History teaches us that
war between such parties may be of long
duration. We should prepare for the worst,
With an army of 100000 men drawn in
par, from the producers Of provision, we
must expect our supplies to materially di.
minish, and the deficiency must be made
mp by an increased production Of provisions
in the Cotton States. Our usual supply of
pork and bacon will be curtailed and the
prices very much advanced. Therefore, we
should plant more grain and less cotton to
enable us to raise our own pork. Every
attention should be given TO the provision
crop, AS our usual sources Of supply will
probably be required for the army, and our
cotton market will be uncertain. In the
event of being deprived OF IL market for
the present crop. we would not have the
means of supplying ourselves with provis.
abundant. The time has not yet passed
for planting and maturing corn the present
season. Corn may be planted in cotton
fields in rows nine feet apart acros, the
cotton beds. Plant in every other bed oie
or two grains of corn, (owing To s"il) mud
Gu 'tivate as usual for cotton This plan
has been tried and works well II does
not very materially diminish the yeii Of
cotton ard produces half crop of corn
Peas should be- planted in abundance as
the time has not yet passed for that crop.
Many things might Yet be done TO increase
the crop of provisions that will rerdily sug.
gest itself 10 every farmer and planter. Bat
the citizens duty does not end with the tar.
mer, although, we nre apt to first look TO
him ns he carries the keys to the necrs,a.
rics Of life and when Ne look to him for
that life sustaining food which his industry
provides, We never look la vain.
There is another class who have an i'm.
portnnt duty to perform, that il. ihe mcr.
chant. Al this time his trust is very in.
portant and his duty plain. Our n,ral
sources Of supply for avery article almost
which we consume largely that passes over
the counter Of the merchant, has been inter.
cepted, and with the present war We must
expect this state of affairs to continue. =. Llch
will greatly diminish the supply aui give
an opportunity for unprineirild spectators
To take advantage Of tn" ncc"ssit;r, Of ,,c
people. Most severely would 'hi, be felt
in cctie", salt, bacon, corn, nYur, nui ....r
neces,nr.s Of life, which will be in great
demand and viii pass through the merchants
hands. Already we notice the prices for
all these articles advancing Perhaps this
advance is legitimate, but any advance in
these articles, caused by n withdrawal Of
large Quantities from market or other means
TO create panic, should be denounced BY
every good citizen, and the reckless and
unscrupulous specuator should feel their
just indignation.
Last. though not least, is the d"ty we all
owe 10 the families Of the brave defenders
Of our rights and liberties, who have vol
unfairly responded TO their country's call
and honofed US who are left behind with
the important trust Of guarding and protec.
ting those who are nearest and dearest TO
them during their absence.
] have extended this article beyond the
point intended and will now close without
....l Il