The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-03-17
THE FOOD QUESTION IN CONGRESS.

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THE FOOD QUESTION IN CONGRESS-
MIR Maxwell offered the following JOINT resolu-
tions In the Confederate Senate
Whereas, strong impression prevails through
ont the country that the war now being waged
aoaiase the people of the Confederate States, may
terminate during the present year, and, whereas,
this impression is leading many patriotic citizens
to,engaee largely in the production or cotton and
= tobacco, which they would not otherwise do; and,
whereas in the opinion of Congress, it is of the
utmost Importance, not only with view to the
proper subsistence of our armies, but for the in
terest and welfare of all the people, that the agrl
cultural labor of the country should be employed
chiefly in the production of supply Of food to
i..eet every contingency, Therefore,
lst. Resolved, by the Congress Of the Confede
rate States of America, That it is the deliberate
Judgment of Congress that the people of these
States, while hoping for peace, should look to pro-
'loneed war as the only condition profered by the
enemy, short Of subjhgatioD; that every prepare
ton necessary to encounter such should be
persisted in; and that the amplest supply of pro-
visions for our armies und people, should be the
first object of all agricuurasts Wherefore, it is
earnestly recommended that the people, instead of
planting cotton and tobacco, shall direct their
agricultural labor mainly to the production of
such crops as will secure suficiency of food for
all classes and for every emergency, thereby with
true patriotism subordnating the hope Of gain to
the service Of the country
Cd Resolved, That the President is hereby
requested to issue proclamation to the people of
these States urging upon them the necessity of
guarding against the great perils of short crop
of provisions and setting forth such reasons there
for as his judgment may dictate.
MIR Maxwell urged the adoption of the resou-
tions. The war was the great business Of the
country, and all efforts should be exerted to the
utmost the part of the Confederates to carry it
on to successful end. There were no indications
either in Europe or the United States which
would justify the people in diverting their labor
TO any other purposes than those demanded by
condition of war-a war growing every day to
greater proportions.
Mr. Yuncey supported the resolutions He
spoke Of the futiliy of all hope of European inter
vention. The English Government had plainly
declared that not even recognition would be
corded SO long as the enemy's forces were
land. at is a right" said Mr. Sancey, owe have
to claim If they do not choose to recognize a
right, 1t takes away from us no independence We
have, rowerwe have, no determination we have
to prosecute this war to successful termination"
lie believed the wisest thing the farmers could do
was to put every acre they could cultivate in &C.
reals, and that not one boil of cotton or one plant
Of tobacco should be aired the coming season.
MIR Clark, Of Mo-, favored the resolution, be-
cause It was calculated to impress on the minds of
the agriculturists the impolicy Of looking for
speedy peace, and the necessity of devotng all
their energies to the war, and nothing else but tie
war. This hope of an early cessation Of hostilities
hud arisen, in great measure, assurances
which had been held out that the Northwest
would put stop to the 1t was true that We
had friends in the Northwest and Northeast,
and many other places; but they not suf-
fciently numerous to he'll us. They were no:
able even to resist the entertainments on their
own liberties or arrest the that fast chain
ing them to the car OF despotism and destruction
They could not resist single act of the Yam
kec Congress passed at the outgoing session. He
claimed to understand something of the character
of the Northwestern people. He kscw their poll
ticans and their leading men. Some of them
were from the first opposed to the war, but they
were impotent to resist the power Of the United
States lie trusted the public mind would cease
to hang hopes upon. such brittle peg. In Mis-
souri, no man permitted to plant crop until
be gave bond Of loyalty to the Lincoln Govern
mens. Whoever refused to give the pledge was
banishcd the State and sent North. In Tonnes
see the enemy vas destroying all the crops, burn
ing the farming imp dement's, barns and mills.
This was but the programme they had marked out
for every portion Of the" Confederacy they could
obtain foothold on. 1t was, therefore, the duty of
every farmer to forego all hopes of gain at the ex-
pense of his liberties If the people of the a.ri-
cultural regions would only give bread and cloth
ing to the armies, in his opinion, before the end
of the year, not sing lie vanda tread of the Yam
kee would pollute the soil of the Confederacy
The question recurring the adoption of the
resolutions, the vote was taken by ayes and noes
and the resolution adopted unanimously, twenty
three Senators voting in the affirmative.