The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-01-17
The Trade in cettOn Tho Rebels
Opposed 60 H..

Il Gotten. with s view doubtless Of poek-
esing the proceeds, snd escaping from the
cou1trT: and that the transaction might
be the better facilitated, il was iatimated
that ereenbacks would be an acceptable
consideration. The statement, coming
as it does from 3 journal which rather
excuses. than condemns tho rebels; and
one which rather msgnifee, shan UNDER
rates their resources, is CT great impor-
lance; and, we believe, should be en-
titled to credit.
In this transaction, however, we SUR
mise the leaders 10 question act upon
their own responsibility; they may be IN
sDired BIZ JEFF Davis and his Csbiast, but
we doubt il; they have more probably
wisely concluded to take care OF them
selves in this emergency, leaving the
Richmond junis to do likewise.
Bat whether inspired from headqusr-
tsrs or no, there certainly exists large
number Of rebel leaders who utterly OPP
pose. not only the sale Of public cOitor,
but Of that held By private parties; and
they very wisely enacted law prOhib-
ting, under the seyerss5 penalties, the
circulation of the national currency of
the United States, within what they call
the Confederacy. Tae reasons for this,
and the effects OF the circulation Of
ereenbscks throughout the South, were
given in q former article, and need not be
repeated here; bat 10 substsntiAte our
reasoning, and make assurance doubly
sure, we quote al extract from q speech
of Mr.. Foote, we'll known in Nashville,
10 the rebel Senate, on the bill referred 20,
in which be states certain facts of the
highest importance, and which cannot be
lightly passed over by those having the
control Of trade in the So1th. Mr.. FOate
said:
ain the country near the city Of Mem
phis the trsfiic 10 the enemy's currency
had been of more damage than the armies
OF the enemy. The traffic had com
mercsd and was carried On by people
under the pretense that it would enable
them to get supplies from within the en-
emy's lines which were necessary for
their support; but the country had been
literally deluged with motions not at ell
Unnecessary TO either comfort or subsis-
tence. Had those persons done accord
ing 10 their professions, every man, WO-
man and child would have had three or
four pair Of shoes, and the salt would
have been knee deep.
In all that section, such had been the
effect of this trsfils, nothing could now
be bought for Confederate money except
only when our troops were there 70 enforce
resDect to the Confederate laws. Citizens
had not only refused to sell their cotton
for Confederate money, but concealed it,
and when opportunity served transport
ed it to Memphis and disposed Of il for
greenbscks. 1t had been shown that
rot less than from one thousand 10 twO
thousand bales per week had been deliv-
cred at Memphis, and in return the coun
try wss overlooked with trifles, creating
artificial wants and producing an utter
disregard Of the laws and Of the interests
of the ConfedeTacy. lie would make
this law so as 70 bring the men who
we're creating this state of affairs; bring
ing distress and ruin upon the families
and homes of our soldiers, to that accOun-
liability which they deserve. There was
now no Law to reach the case, and our
courts should at once DO furnished with
he authority 10 deal with it."
Our authorities may take hint from
these rebel fears. An act Of such extra
ordinary stringency would not have been
passed at Richmond if the danger from
the trade it forbids was not great Even
if we were to gain 10 direct advantsge
by throwing open The trade, VIC ought
still to 90 it in the face Of this act, as a
sure means to harrass the rebels. 1,
may be said that il we do the leaders
viii force the planters TO burn their cot
ton, as an efTectual preventive to trade
Bat, we reply, let them try that; we shall
have gained much if We force the rebel
chiefs to attempt 3 general destruction
Of ottOn. The planters would rebe
against Davis the moment be attempted
to do this. It is notorious that bat few of
planters on the Mississippi burned their
cotton; the greater number hid theirs a.
way or carried it into the interior and
some, whose bales were threatened by
guerrillss, defended their property. Let
the Government give permission to all
proper persons TO buy cotton within our
lines, and LET it give notice that cotton
brought TO cur lines will receive . safe
conduct, and no questions asked, and the
balance of advantage from the traffic
will be greatly on our side; while the
spread of the United States Treasury
notes through the South, will still moIe
depreciats the rebel currency.