American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-02-13
TUE NEW CROP.

From the Houston (feXts) telegraph.
We regret to hear from various parts of the
country. that cotton planters who have plenty
of corn are refusing 10 sell it on any trims,
aledping their determination to save their
corn fer their own use, and with view
Of putting the bulk of their fields in cotton.
1t is the old story of willing subsection
on our part to king cetton 1t is also proof
of what we have said. that far as cotton is
king. he is tvrant by whom We ourselves
are more oppressed than any outside people.
If cotton brings four prices. the necessary
result is and must be. that corn will COM
mand four prices as well For If left % them
selves, people will not raise corn to sell
when thev can make more by raising cotton
Ii patriotism or public policy could be
made to outweigh selfishness. it would in
duce people to plant corn. while We are en-
gagged in the war, to the exclusion of cotton.
1t will do 50 with many, and, we trust, with
the majority of the cotton planters For the
patriotism of those not so Influenced we
would not give groat. They are for self
before their country now. and exactly the
same ruling motive would induce them to
take the oath Of allegiance to Old Abe. were
his minions to get possession of their plant
atoms. There is no getting aropnd this fact,
and people must not shut their eyes to it.
We understand that some of those planters
who expect to make cotton exclusively this
wear, are quite bitter in their rnaledictions
standards of patriotism. Well may they be,
for by these standards of patriotism viii they
be Judged and condemned in the ewes of their
countrymen.
We also hear of some king cotton subjects
who sell cotton for specie. change that into
Confederate money al three for one, and then
preach To their creditors the patriotic neces-
sity of their taking Confederate money fol
old debts. under penalty of being declared
traitors to--not king cotton, but their country
Now We present these matters TO the coun-
try without comment We do not desire to
blow up the flames of discomfort and internal
eommotion among the people. Yet We tell
those people that the grass upon the prairies
is dry A fire. brand has but to fall In the
midst of it to create conffagration. 1t is
by means settled fact that if no one puts
4 it there, it will not fall from heaven. Let
them beware
People must have corn. 1t must be grown
on the plantations Negroes must plant and
cultivate and gather it If King Cotton at
tempts to starve the people he is in danger
of something worse than short crop
Giving many soldiers, their wives and
families to feed also. many artizans and
others. including the balance o. the popula
tion who by the conscr,ption law are not in
the army, but serving their country better
than if they We're and there is so much corr
required to feed them. Now, giving the
present condition of things and the present
discomfort with high prices and a good crop
what may be expected in short crop?
The standard OF seishness may be set too oN
for self preservation. Ii may IN the end prove
better 10 have planted all in ls63 and realz,
profit from it. than to have planted all coitoT
and made fortune.
We appeal to the patriotism of the country 4
plant corn. Let Us have corn to feed the soldiers
10 feed the people. Let cotton be let alnne Will,
/ our soldiers hungry. Citizens. our country
bleeding at every pore. She impiores yeu 70 save
her She points you to the chains tyrant has
forged for her. She points to the gaunt and hun
gry-strlcken men who stand between her and tbs
fyrant She points to her families about you
Can you be Indifferent Can you still pursue YOU
selfish purpose? Then God have mercy you
souls
i A letter from Murfreesboro reports the
extreme illness of General Rosecrans
He is confined to his room, and visitor:
are strictly forbidden admission.