American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1862-04-05
corn AND COTTON.

+ So long as the theatre Of war was con
fined to a narrow belt on the Northerf
frontier Of the grain growing States of th,
Cnnfederacy. and there was prospec
of the blockade of our ports being raised
early enough to allow of he shipment o
the present crop of cotton before anothe,
vas ready for market. SO long the ones
ton for the planters TO decide in the mat
ter Of planning corn or cotton was one oil
dollars and cents merely; but The occu-
pancy of Kentucky. Missouri. and por-
ition Of Tennessee. By the enemy. presents
/ the subject in new light. While the
States named are under he control of the
| Yankees. the supply of provisions fror
those immense granaries Of the country
will be in a great measure cut of. This
will also be the case with the grain pro-
ducing regions of Alabama and Georgia.
as. even thotgh they should not become
the seat Of actual hostlities. their prox
unity to the enemy will have tendency
10 derange the business plans of the peo-
pie! Ii will then devolve upon the cotton
growing portions of the Confederacy TO
provide food, not only for the people OF
those States, but for the armies of the
Confederacy. If they do not do it there
is danger that another year will find the
people of this county suffering from
want Of the actual neeessaries of life. Ii
is madness and folly. therefore. if not
treason. for planters to devote their lands
TO the culture of cotton, when so much
may depend upon the production of a
large supply Of provisions.
This is matter which appeals directly
to the patriotic impulses of the planters
AS well as to their pecuniary interests.
and we trust that none will fail TO heed
the warning given by Governor Shorter,
in his recent proclamation. There is no
need Of laws to regulate this. for the
planters as body are patriotic enough
10 give the subject all the consideration
its Importance deserves. Let il be un-
derstood at once. that the planter who
cullivates cotton 8hen there is such an
urgent demand for food. is in effect Civ
ing aid and comfort to the enemy By
gripping the resources OF the country. +
Whenever this fact is fully appreciated.
we think there will be but one voice
among them all. and that In favor of be-
slowing all their energies OH the produc +
lion of grain and other articles of food .
A contrary course would starye our gal /
liant army, drive it from the field. and
leave the cause of freedom to die an in
glorious death at the hands Of it's own
friends, and consign tie people of the
South to lasting shame.
If there are any. however. who love
money better than country. honor or Ito
ertv itself. we believe that ii is for their
interest to devote their cotton lands to
grain. A large crop of cotton is now on
hand and there is no Immediate prospect
hat it will find market. While it re-
mains unsold, the production of another
:rop would only have the effect to crush
lown the price of the whole amount be-
ow the living point, and the two crops
would probably bring very little if any
more than tie one now on hand there
ore there is a strong pecuniary reason
Why no. more cotton should be planted
nan is actually required for domestic
purposes. On the other hand, corn md
PROVISIONS of all kinds are certain to
'ring remunerative price. If money
$ the object Of the planters they cannot
10 better than to produce all the grain
possible. How much corn each should
'rodace is question the planters must !.
ecide for themselves. They must have
nough to feed their families. to support I
heir stock, and last. though not least TO d
arnisil a large surplus for market. The t
7ants of the soldier must be supplied
'hatever else fail. and the cities which
ave been in the habit OF drawing large
= upon the grain products of the North [
Vest. must ROW depend upon the cotton j.
egion for food. Ii every planter will y
eiernnine that. so far as it lies in his I
ever. there SHALL be no scarcity of pro-
isions on his plantation or in the mar o
cts near him, all will be we'll If he neg u
scts to do SO. we will not answer for (.
le consequences. We hope this matter
III be taken aP at once by the people t,
Ed the press. The time for planting is y
kaad. aad the decision. right or wrong. y
tst soon be given. Let meetings be {.
eld in the various cosnties of this State,
nd ascertain what is the sense of the W
aople in regard TO this matter. The des- Ii
aies of tie country are IN their hands p