Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-04-24
The Cotton Question.
EDtreR TRUE DEMOCRAT

EDtreR TRUE DEMocRAT-
 It is mortifying to find, yet it should be gene rally known, that in this, the hour of nations peril, she still has enemies within; who should be her staunchest supporters Yes, sir, the |" act concerning the cultivation of cotton" passed by our patriotic and arsceing legislators, the late session of that body, has proved crucibe in which to "try mems souls" l am, indeed, sorry to see the baser metal rise to the top of the cruciblo from nuggets which heretofore presented such pure and brilliant exterior that the presence of dross was not once suspected.
 When our grain raising sections of country have been almost depopulatcd by the different calls of our army commanders, who could have failed to sec the actual necessity that the former cotton sections should turn and exert their whole force to grain culture--to sustain those noble men while they struggle to free country from the simy embrace of the vile Anaconda that would crush and then swallow it. Let every man cOncerncd, now coolly and quietly ask and answer himself the questionif the slave population is nothow brought forward to sustain its part in this rovoution what is to become of that interest il any event of the contest? Yes, sir, this act has unmaslcl enemies in our midst, whom until they""thought their mate rial interest touched, appeared great patriots One says he will plant full crop of cotton in defiance of the law-futher saying, they had no moro right to pass such law than they had to pass ouc defn- ing what species of poultry should be raised. So much for the able decision and exposition of the civil colonel who ,cns a great man. Another in. tends to eyado the law by giving his negroes cich
 cotton patch of five or six acres, or rather raise full crop upon the credit of his negroes. In such cases make motion that the darkie whose patriotism is placed in such questionable light, be admitted Il witness to state whether or not he received the full proceeds of his patch. But I am glad to see large majority of our cotton planters fully and enthusiastically endorse the act and even whisper that the graveler after the almighty dollar who is such dastard as to violate its provisions shall not be troubled to gin his crop after it is gath cred and put in convenient piles to burn.
 heard yesterday letter from Gov. Pcttus of Mississippi, to his agent in this county. It was in answer to letter which his agent had written ia- forming him that he had directed his oyerseer to plant no cotton. In answer the Governor says: '" I fully sustain you in directing my ovcrseer to plant cotton, but corn, vegetables and every thing that will afford subsistence for our army and the families of soldiers whO are not well provided for; and will go step farther, and say him that all the time that he can spare from his own crop to spend it in working the farms of men who are ill the army and have left one to work them" He says further: '' do not desire one half dollar as income from my farm until this war has an ending. I want every thing that is made it, after the ne cessary expenses to maintain the farm, to go to- wards supporting our struggle for independence" There is the ring of the true metal, which deGc3 the detection of dross. Would to God our Cover nor and every man who has an interest in Arkan- sas, entertained the same sentiments.
 HOFFMAN.
 Coaon Valley, Prairie O., Ark, April l5 'C2.