Natchitoches union. [volume] ([Natchitoches, La.]) 1859-1864, 1862-01-16

gaIFfgHa Communieated9 !
The Cotton Question. Il


prosperous, and h s, subjects happy
but, like other kings, he is subject t
the vicissitudes Of fortune !; there Ii
ever remote danger that he may b
deposed, or, at least, the metropolis b
tie monarchy removed 10 some othe
part Of the world. In plain terms, the
cotton interest is greatly embsrrasse
by the impossibility of disposing of til,
crop on hand, and by not being able I,
determine what policy it would bt
safest to follow hereafter. Most men
think, sand justly | believe, tliat to
plant another full crop before the pres
ent'is sold, would be suicidal; that it
would not only bring down the price
below the remunerating point at once,
but would keep it down for many years
to come, the supply being greater than
the demand. Yet, if it c ascertained
IN Europe, that we had determined
not to plant any more until the present
crop is sold, il is evident that England
would strain every nerve to supply her
wants frem other countrics-South
America India Egypt and her Cpld-
MES in West Indise, For years she has
been attempting this and would now
expend willingly hu ldreis Of millions
to successfully carry out this policy
The want Of rail roads in India has
kept back the cultivation of cotton in
those Distrlc Is Of India said to POSSESS
Q good soil and climate for the growth
Of cotton The price f'labory there is
so small, the probability is, that the
growth of the article will be greatly
enlarged, Although the ability to labor
among the RyJts isnot as great as our
slaves. In Africa, too, there arc cotton
ands equal to ours, aud the great
obstacle to their cultivation is the
want of compulsory labor. This diff
unity will probably partly overcome
'ither by ho'ling out large pc,uniary
Inducements. or by force. To open UP
Africa to the culture. Of cotton, is the
principal motive for sending expetti. |
ions of discovery and exploration |
heir.
nr Livingston has found out large
racts Of country easily accessible, of.
inc soil and climate where the inhabi-
ants are more disposed to labor them
n the coasts where the slave trade
as 50 long been carried on There cam
e little doubt, but England will, after
few years, draw her cotton supply
argely from other countries than the
States. Tie cotton spinners
f England will spare no means to eff
set this object. If this be SO, some per
ons think it would be better to con
nue to plant as usual SO that when
yer our ports are opened we shall be
bic to meet this new danger by un.
erSelling our cotton in the European
larket, and thus regain in the end
hat we may at first lose To pre-
erve the cultivate control of the
Iarket is worth the partial loss Of q p
'op or two. We run no risk from or
mary competition, because we possess i
he best article. What then is the wis
1t course for the cotton Planters to {
llow? This is q question which onef
ill answer for himself That the Leg
lature has no power to determined
hat or when planter should grow, t
ther by total prohibition, of by tax
6 the article grown, there can be no
,ubt. AS well might they tax the slloes :
aker for making shoes, because the !,
arket might be overstacked and the c
ice Of shoes brought down. Conven-
ons to dertermine whether to plant
not, might and probably would in :
fence many but. having no coerciye /
,wer, their recommendation would 4
: followed or not according to the |
onions or wishes of each individual. 4
would be wise to wait for the devel- e
,ments OF the next three months, be k
re determining how to act j,
On one, thing most persons have a
me to the conclusion, that the self [
,posed embargo on cotton has oper- +
ed iniuriously on the country, as all y
1vernmental interference with the in t,
,orabe laws of trade generally do;- fn
has had no influence on France or q
ngland to break the Blockade, in i
der to supply their spindles and !
om., and will in the end probably 5