The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-07
The Gotten Trade-GreenbackE as
ConcIIIaI0rBs

The Gotten Trade-Greenbackg as
ConcIIIaIOrs.
Within the last few days two impOr-
tsnt manifestoes have been promulgated;
one by the Secretary of the treasury, per
hitting free trade in Kentucky and Mis-
souri,, thereby giving an assurance that
trade is to follow the flag, as fer as prac-
ticsble; and the other by Gen. Logan
ordering all cotton buyers from the
front.
It Is not our intention here to criticise
the FIRST, because it does not go far
enough; but to conine our attention al
most entirely to the latter, as a measure
which is unwise and impelitic. As q mill
tary man, we have an almost unbOunded
confidence in Gen. Logan; but as an adj
ministrative officer, in one respect, at
least, we believe be has erred.
What is the situationr Cotton is not
king; the loyal States can live, and -four.
ish, without it; but then it is, IS Mrs.
Toodles says, "handy to have in the
house," we needit, and that sadly, though
it is not essential to our existence; and
knowing the advantages of possessing
supply, we should provide for one, if
that can be done without hszarding the
interest of the nation. It would not be
the part of wisdom to buy cotton, if by
that means aid and comfort were given
to the rebels; were IL only obtainable 10
return for articles contrsbsnd of war, Il
would be the part of patriotism to endure
any sacrifices, rather than purchase 8
pound; but if on the other hand, it can
be bad without supplying such aid and
comfort to the insurgents; If the purchase
were purely q matter of indifference to
them, every consideration of political
economy would demand that the supply
should be obtained; but when advan-
tsges to The Union cause would ensue
from the purchase of the article, there
can be no excuse for prohibiting it,
It should not be paid for in gold; that
could be made to aid the rebellion; the
compensation should not be made in the
shape Of clothes, or provisions they
would be the articles most needful to
rebels, and would bs welcome supplies
but let the holders Of cotton have green
backs, and greenbscks alone they will
be valuable in proportion IS the security
upon which they sre based, Is permanent
aud certain and as they rest upon the
faith Of the government, they stand o.
fall with it.
We have no great faith in rebsl idess
of political economy; bat there are none
so blind, in all Dixie, as not to perceive
this truth: that the more We interest men
in the stability of the Union, the greater
will be their opposition to rebels. Green
backs will only become valuable, in the |
Southern States, as our armies advance
holders Of that currency are subject to
heavy penalties, while they are in the
power Of the rebel authorities viii they |
not then welcome the advance Of our
libersting armies Why has England
passed safely over every era of agitation
while scarcely continental government /
has escaped revolution Because her
people were all interested in her securi-
ties. Let us learn lesson from history
The cotton producers will all accept
despite the ediets of the
Richmond authorities. No fears need
be entertained on that score; and it GER
lainly is the part Of wisdom to place
he people, IS far as possible, in sntsgo-
lism to the COnfedoraey. Place them in
! position to be liable TO prosecution from
he subordinRtss Of JEFF. Davis, and rem
Ter them stockholders in the United
States Government, and there need be
title fear Of evil consequences 70 the
after.
Depo,s in the rsar of our armies
hOuld be established, and open routes
,spt by which producers could resoh
hem; and then a full aud free COMPETE
ion should be extended to all buyers;
,ut they should be restricted 10 the use
{ greenbscks in payment. Any viola
ion of this rule could be readily deteo-
ed, and II detected the offender should
IL punished sammArily and severely By
DO military authorities.
CuKIosrTfEs OF A BArTLEFfELD.-At the
,attls Of Gettysburg $4,000 muskess