Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-03-29
Cotton is King. !.

Mr.. Yancey, it seems, has at length discovered
thatcotten is net king and he has also discovered
by actual contact and observation that the people
of the Confederate States because they own slaves,
have no friends and syinpathizers among those who
control European governments. II we had known
these facts sooner, especially from the lips of Mr.
Yaneey, the Confederate States might have been in
better condition than they are now, for they would
have relied more upon themselves, and would there
fore, have made fuller and more adequate prepare
tions for the great struggle in which they are
gagged. Mr.. Yancey has shown himself from the
very commencement of the revolution, well as in.
the steps which he took at Charleston ard Balti-
more to produce it, very much wanting in those
qualities of foresight and sound common sense which
are so essential to enlightened and successful states
manship. We have never heard that, with some of
his followers in this State, he engaged to pay all
the expenses Of the with ten cents and staunch
all the blood that would flow in it with pocket
handkerchief; but he did predict that the conflict
would not assume the proportions which it has, and
that cotton, bringing to its feet the crowned heads
of Europe, would speedily extricate from diff
culties, and render us, almost at once, Of the
controlling powers of the world. We regret that
the gentleman has found himself mistaken, as will
appear by perusal Of his speech in New Orleans,
which we publish to-day. But still Mr. Yancey is
to be a Confederate leader, and, as Confederate
Senator his word is to be law to his partzans and
followers. 1t is opinion that the Confederate
will not prosper all desire it should
til such false prophets as Mr.. Yancey disregard
ed and their false lights extinguShed.
Cotton is very important staple in its place, but
it is no more king than corn, and wheat and to-
bacco, and manufactures. We have said this all
along, and we have admonished the people against
that blind and absolute dependence on cotton which
is likely prove injurious to as in the present
struggle. In connection with this subject We make
the following sensible extract from letter which
appears in the last South Carolnian, dated Char
luttesville, Va, March H.
"If our lines are much more drawn in, the sole
support of our armies and people will be the cotton
States, which, fear will be poor dependence for
| believe that many people in the Southern States
would continue to plant cotton if starvation was
abroad in the land Cotton has been curse in
this war. Not only the people, but the gov
eminent, seemed to think that cotton would fight
battles for US; and now, after eight months
preparation by the enemy, with a well drilled army
of six hundred thousand men, our government is
almost without army, and arc Just getting to-
gether army, which will of course require months
of drilling to make it efficient Cotton has been a
curse and if people do leave off and go to
planting everything that will support life, the YAM
KEGS will stand good chance of subjugating u.s.
Armies cannot fight il they have nothing to eat,
and how they get anything to eat in the South,
cannot see, unless the farmers exert every energy
to raise hogs, potatoes, corn, peas and every thing
that sustain life. 1t is childs play now and
1t is time that planters should feel tit is time
for them to awake to the situation Of affairs as our
government has at last done Tell my father, for
Gods sake for our sake not to plant one seed of
cotton. Cotton is not king but hunger is; it knows
law, no tie compassion. But it is useless Cor
me to say more; we cannot influence the farmers
This much will say, that if ever conquered
it will be by the acts Of people. II we have
provisions enough, hunger may conquer us-thI
Yankees never"