Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-02-26
THE REBELS AND KING COTTON.

The Confsderates are slowly learning some
things. After their three years' terrible ex-
perience they are even coming to doubt the ON
impotence Of King Cotton. the sovereign to whom
they bowed, aud to whom they declared the
whole world must bow. They began the rebel
lion with the belief and the declaration that, if
need be. they could bring not only the North, but
Europe to terms, by cutting oG the supply Of cot.
ton. What graphic pictures they drew Of the
! desolate appearance which the manufacturing
towns on both sides Of the Atlantic would pre-
sent, Of the suffering and the starvation Of the
| operatives, and OF the riots aud anarchy which
would ensue. But they have begun to see their
folly aud mistake. They have learned that they
do not hold the world in bondage to them The
Richmond papers have oil recently been discus
sing the subject. The Euquirer thus apeaks,
"Ihls theory OF our Southern statesmen has
been fairly, and fully tested. For three years
have we, with commendabe self denial, forborne
the use OF these sleeping energies of which we
are possessed. King Cotton has been bound
down in double irons-- Lincoln blockaders--Whilst
We embargo this unfortunate arbiter of ciyilIz,-
ton. Our Po icy, subordinAted to Lineoln's
policy, holds this captive. monarch in solitary
confinement, there to Wasie in neglect and
disease. Meanwhile the machinery Of the world
is fast adapting itself 10 fabrics from other mate
rials, and, when cur king is restored to liberty,
thousand interests will obstruct hls resun.t,on
to power.
Anl7 e4peIieoee OF three years is now an on,n
oook' inviting our earnest study. Has This d,s-
use OF colon-this wilful Imprisonment of our
o"u powers oy our own GOyeFnment-furced re-
cognillon from foreign nationsY If this book ~
experience teaches US auy thing. il ,sscbss W. W.
one Thing never to be forgotten Cotton. 10 be
nug, must be free to act and play his part on
the theatre OF The industrial world. AZ tlarga
anu 10 unrestralned fIeeiom every where TO visit
the shops OF industry, this Southern monarch
Wlelds 40 almost undisputed sceptre But chained
up by bloekaders and pinioned to the earth by I
our own emhargoes, this mighty potentate, like |
'ne oluafls or Bourbons, becomes su unhonOred /
sham and an empty pretensOn.
Cotton as prisoner cotton in confinement.
eouon bid in sWamps or burnt in depots. has
brought US no relief-it has procured US no in.
huence in the counsels Of foreign nations LET
US therefore, abandon policy that yields his
harvest OF domestic ruin, and only bears for us
these iiuits Of national abatement abroad. Il is
most evident that we cannot coerce foreign ma
lions by Withholding from their workshops
The empire of cotton exists only in its use, and
ceases when it is Withdrawn from commerce.
Let us partially change our administrative policy
In respect to the great staples Of cotton tobacco.
and naval stores. Let us freely license the ex.
port Of these prime necessities, and give them
free passage through our lines in any direction.
and 10 any market that individual enterprise may
elect"
ln another article the Enquirer says that Cen
iederate currency has nearly lost its purchasing
power, and that the use of the strong arm Of in
pressment has almost failed, and in a few months
more will have lost ito potency altogether. H. ;
therefore. recommends that the cotton and TO- 4,
oaeco which the Government hold be exchanecd :
Tor supplies for the army. The Richmond WING
strongly urges the adoption Of the plan. II tbis
suggestion Of the Richmond journalists IL adon-
it probably will be, the European holdeis