American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-03-06
PROVISIONS rnE PRESENT YEAR.

PROVISIONS THE PRESENT YEAR.
By far the most important problem
which remains to be solved duIipg the
present year. says The Montgomery
(Alabana) Advertiser. is that 10 regard
To provisions. Thus far The country and
tie army have been sustained with great
difficulty. thanks TO the prudent fore-
sight and pasrioiisn of tie producing
classes hui. this year. owing TO the fact
that considerable portion Of country.
from which last years supplies we're
dra0n, IS now in the hands of The enemy
and that still larger extent OF country
has been desolated and laid waste by the
consending armies, greater exer'ions are
necessary. or the people will suffer and
the cause perish. Last year. it will be
remembered. so great breadth Of land
was devoted to wheat, corn and other
cereals and vegetables. that many sup
posed the supply of articles Of food would
be superabuniant. and remarkably cheap.
II was thought the price Of provisions
would not pay the cost of production
and hundreds who devoted the larger
portions of their lands to breadstuffs, did
so more from sense of duty than from
any belief that they would reap pecu-
mary reward for their labors. Some.
without patriotism or foresight enough to
guide them, planted largely in cotton in
the hope that the ports would be opened
in time for them to realize a fortune from
their crops, but in this they have been
disappointed.
As is well known. the last wheat crop
of the country. from various causes.
proved almost complete failure. while
the extraordinary drought of the summer
greatly diminished all other crops. and
the consequence was that there has been
no surplus in the markets, and provis-
ions of all kinds have been sold atenn-
precedenfedly high prices. Wheat -four
has gone beyond the reach of men of
price almost appalling TO shose who have
not independent fortunes. This condi-
lion of things ought to be strong induce
ment to our planters 10 endeaver TO raise
large crops of corn. oats. potatoes. peas.
carrots. parsnips. beets, turnips. and ev-
cry sort of vegetable capable Of being
used as food. There is no danger of
overstocking the market; scarcity is the
only thing TO be feared. Profit and pa
triotism both urge the policy of planting
for provisions. They are certain TO
command good price, and will make a
better return for labor than could be
hoped for under the most favorable cir
Ecnmstances from the same breadth oil
land devoted to cotton.
The people at home and the armies in
the field must be fed. The soldiers can
not fight our battles unless their craving
for food is satisfied. The enemy may
uot be able 10 conquer us. but starvation
certainly will. unless the planters Of the
Consederacy resolve 10 do their duty.
and plant nothing but articles of food.
Let no one be deceived with the cry OF
peace. tits delusive. and will lure the
country to destruction if listened to. II
il comes within the year. we'll our sur
plus breads,ufs will find ready market,
and fit does not. we shall be alp the
better prepared for war, if our granaries
and store houses are full. The surest
way to obtain peace is 10 make vigorous
preparations for war, and in no way can
The country be so well prepared to meet
the shock of battle as by attention to the
matter Of food. The planters of the
sConfederacy are appealed TO by every
consideration which can induce men to
labor, to spare no effort to increase the
supply of provisions If they do their
duty faithfully. they may expect TO re-
ceive the blessings of heaven. the graf
itude of their fellow men. and enjoy the
proud consciousness Of having contribu
ted in no Insignificant manner toward
the independence and happiness of their
country.
Peace Sentiment Announced.
In an article crilicising the temper Of
Gen Rosecranz's letter to.the Ohio Leg
islature, and replying to the Gazette, the
Cincinnati Enquirer is bold in announc-
ing its opinion as to what it believes TO be
the sentiment of the people Of Ohio
Gen. r.. said in his letter that che who is
in favor of peace on any terms is fit only
10 be slave, and he who gives utterance
TO a peace sentiment is traitor. 10 bis
country !" 10 which the Enquirer re.
spends:
There is not one man IN ten in Ohio
who is not in favor of Peace upon some
terms. A large majority Of the people
are in favor Of peace either upon terms
Of compromise or division. If vote o
the people were taken to-day upon the
question. peace or no peace. without
respect 10 terms of settlement, the peace
party would be two TO one Of the other
The peace party Is ia ma
iorify in Ohio. and will not much regard
The Interpretation which General Rose
cranz puts upon their views. nor vii
they be greatly troubled at the Gazette
exclamation point: Rebellion party
question =, Whether or not "a party
1 against war is as legitimate IS part,
/ for war;, party having the majority i
a pretty legitimate party at any rate
and il its members are all traitors. the,
! will be able 10 keen each other il coun