American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-03-13
A Few Moro Words to the Planters.

We have not the slightest disposition to
dictate to the planters of tte country, nor do
we deny that they are as patriotic any
other class-indeed, on the contrary, we are
ready to affirm that they have given more,
and made more sacrifices to sustain the war,
than any other class os citizens. But in view
OF the fact thaJ-notwitis standing the i'm
mense crop planted last year-cern meal is
commanding two aud half dollars per
bushel, before n grain of the next crop has
sprouted, with the certainty of its reaching
"a higher figure before the incoming crop ma
lures, we hope n few more words addressed
tn the planters, in plain 'corn-dodger' style,
may not Ice considered out Of As one
of the many, then, who live corn bread
altogether, aud who will be glad if he is thus
enabled to subsist, for long time to come,
and at the same time considering the
cessities of our self-sacrifcing and suffering
soldiers,-to our friends of the agricultural
districts" we make one more earnest appeal:
Nv aband ming. almost entirely. the cultivation
NJ cotton last year. you have fed the armies of your
country and thus h. We kept fo in the field for
the protection of your homes. That same army is
bread. The enemy have und <puted possession of
che whole of Kentucky urge part of Tennessee
and Western Virginia. which have heretofore CON
trbuted very largely to provision crop. Their
forces occupy large proportion of the valley of
the Mississippi. and of the eastern shores of yir-
'sna and North Carolina. sections which embrace
millions of our most productive acres. They have
such control Of the Mississippi river to cut off
from the fertile Lands of Arkansas. Louisiana and
Texas. Thus our resource for provisions for the
army is mainly, almost entirely. upon the cotton
and tobacco regions. These articles command
a good price. and the temptation raise the crops
j. very great But on the other hand your coun-
fry's salvation depends upon abundant provis-
ion crop. Weigh these in the balance high prices
Tor cotton in one scale, Southern independence
in the other. Which will you choose? What
will pocket full of Confederate notes be worth
II Tie Confederacy fails to achieve its independ-
Cree. or what would purses we'll filled with gold
even. be worth If your are to BE slaves
TO Yankee masters? Think of the bleeding heroes
who stand between you and the invader suffering
for bread; think of the rain which threatens you if
they are compelled by famine to lay down their
arms; think of all the bright hopes of the future
which are suspended upon your decision, and then
settle TIE question whether you viii plant corn or
cotton Or if you will be controlled bs the consid-
GRAFTON of the profits the chances for money max
ing are on the side of the provision crop. IL you
make cotton. what will il bring you should the war
last, With a full supply already on hand, if you
add another crop to it. what will it be WORTH Who
viii buy IL? The manufactures will he stopped
The finances Of the world wiz be crippled,
merce will be destroyed. and where are you to find
market for the millions of cotton bales you will
have on hand? Where are ycn to get bagging and
rope for it, These are all questions which pru-
dent man win weigh well before he determines to
plant cotton. On the other hand. if the con-
tinues. there will be ready demand at home for
every bushel Of rice. peas, potatoes. wheat,
oats and for every pound of meat Jon can raise.
Patriotism and pocket alike urge you toplant little
Sr no cotton.