Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-03-24
For the Standard.
KING CORN rs. KING COTTON.

Mr. EpIToR:-I fear there will be a fearful con-
hict between King Corn and King Cotton, if some
thing be not done, and that quickly, to reconcile
their conflicting interests. King Cotton, it is true
swayed the sceptre OF the world in 1860.
His rue was then not only omnipotent-it.w
omnipreSent His obSequious and benghted wor-
shippers went so far as to write and publish big
book and put it up in calf and gilt, to figure, more
fttingy perhaps, the greatness of their god But
To- in the lapse of two brief years, "how hath the
mighty f;lllenI" Denied and forsaken by his most
servile votaries he is found in the highways and
by-YayS stripped of the insignia of royalty and
exposed 10 the pttiless peltngs of wintry storms,
without a covering of sober sackcloth.
How great the nfatuation of those who were
wont to style him liking of Kings and Lord OF
Lords" But another king king Corn" now
claims the royal regaa and points to ;he disruption
Of the gOvernment-to the war and its attendant
horrors as evidences of the weakness and wicked
ness Of the fallen monarch. The justice OF his
claims is universally acknowledged. The Governor
of North Carolina and the Editor of the Standard
have been forced to recognize him as mighty among
the powers of the earth. The Governor took quite
patriotic grounds when he said the soldiers families
should be fed as long there was bushel of corn
pound of meat in the State. l would here
mark that King Corn is omnipotent in an inverse
ratio to his quantity. Unlike King Cotton there
will be no surplus. Hence the great necessity and
importance of econonizing what we have and look
ing to the future to see how and whence the next
supply is to come The Standards suggestion on
the subj ect does not meet the general appreciation
of its readers neither is it applicable as far as
Johnston county is concerned. The corn crop in the
county last year was very light owing principally
20 two causes First the iRceSsant rains destroyed
the crop on bottom lands Second, the crop grown
BY the subjects Of King Cotton, was failure, as
most OF their time was spent in preaching king
Cotton" "peaceable secession" and Yankee cow
srdice" After that failed, the residue of their time
was spent in electioneerinE with their poor neigh
borE to get them into the army and to keep them
selves and their out of it; so that but few Of
them found exposed to the dangers of peaceable
secession or Yankee cowardice. And even now,
true to the instincts of self preservation they are
daily seeding from Eastern to Western Carolina,
where they promise themselves ingloriOus obscure
ty, alar from the turmoil and danger of soldiers
life As the Governor has taken decided ground
in favor of King Conn., may not a lother be heard
in hisIehalf? | have no idea Of writing book as
the cotton barons did, though much be said in
praise of King Corn. l will content myself simply
with throwing out few practical suggestions as to
the best mode of pcrpetuating his power. l would
first suggest that neither nor beast be allowed
to eat the bread Of idleness There is enough for
all to do, and if all do not come I'D to their duty
the Governor has clearly the right under the much
abused plea of military necessity, to have oilers
arrested under the vagrant act and to press pleas
ure horses and sumpter mules into the service of
Sthe State, to supply the places of those taken from
OUT FARMERS Wl6n SO muCQ neeQeQ at nome
pairing food for both army and people.
We don't want any more tom foolery; there
must be prompt vigorous concert of action. 1t
won't 10 to have so many kings in so short a time
True, variety is the spice of life but to have four
kings in two years is goingit rather strong without
we could have better prospect Of peace. King
Cotton promised us peace, but failed and was de-
eapltated. Kings "peaceable secession and Cyan
kee cowardice" promised the same, but failed and
shared the fate of their ustrious predecessor Then
came the stereOtyped absurdty of foreign interven-
tIon-the exuberant offspring Of King Cotton-and
yet we have no peace. But our President tells US
IN MS message, that peace is prospective and will
most assuredly come this year. will not take is.
sue with him on this subject, but would most re-
spectfully ask, whether he has not been mistaken
IN this matter heretofore? / don't know that nm
derstand exactly our Presidents stand points: but
some now have gotten it in my head that he wor-
shipped at the feet of King Cotton-preached peace
able secession" and Yankee cowardice," and ad
Tocated foreign Intervention. / have at LENGTH
grown somewhat distrustful of the Presidents nro
Phetlc talents. should like to know of Mr. Davis
oy Wnat sort OF legerdeman it is that we thrash the
encroacirng upon daily.
tnlnk lhaVe seen it stated that these Y.nLoos
hold Newbern, Roanoke Island Washinoton FL
beth City and several other places of minor imnor-
lance IN North Carolina and that even the kiaodoD
OF South Carolina had beer desecrated nv Ymio"n
mat me magnificent harbor of Port ROYAL and oil
It's productive seaisland farms were in their noScos
s'Ons Inc SOIL OF the Empire State has also baen
polluted by Yankee footprints, while nearly ali tn
coast OF little Florida is now under their dominion
tt.sSslPPl 100 Is gone save streak not broader
Vian oay-oreak half an hour old and Grant iS vDIJ
ing an IRON scepter over the heads of her Law Io5;
IL" ABIDING people. New Orleans the great ennSS
nun OF the South-is bowed in the dust. Pennies
See' 1exas' Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, INV