Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-24
The American cotton Monopoly.

To the Editor Of the N. Y. Times.l
1t was reported short time since that
Mr.. Dudley, our efficient Consul in Liver
pocl had an interview in Washington with
Mr.. McCullOch, and urged an export duty
on cotton Of six cents per pound, as a means
of raising revenue in part out of British
consumers. Mr.. Lanier is also reported to
have advocated the same measure ina public
meeting in Germany. These gentlemen do
not, we presume, intend TO urge an amend
ment to the Constitution for the purpose CT
LAYING such a duty, but to get round the OBJ
vious meaning of the pFoyisO by some in
ternaI revenue tax or drawback" We
believe that others are urging the same
course on the Secretary ofthe Treasury, with
the idea that hundred millions or 30 can
be thus raised from British manufacturers
toward paying the annual tax resting so
heavily on the nation. They argue that
America possesse&practically monopoly in
cotton that Europe must have it, and that
Sd per pound would be readily paid by
foreign consumers in addition to a paying
price.
There are some considerations in connec-
ton with this subject which should not e'-
cane attention The United States has had
almost a monopoly in cotton. Climate, soil,
labor and means of transport, and the na-
tional energy, have enabled us to produce a
cotton of such quality, and TO export 1t IN
such quantity, az practically to command
the markets of the world. But this monop-
DIV has been rudely assailed IN this war
The high price has stimulated Its produc-
ton in every part of the world. Hundreds
of miles of railroads have been built IN In
dia. opening up immense tracts OF cotton
growing country 20 the demand. The pro-
duction in Brazil, in Egypt, Turkey and
other countries, has vastly increased. Brazil
and Egypt compete with US, also, m qlialty,
and their cotton commands "a high price a.
The American The Indian Is, indeed,
inferior. but the English m1nuiactG-
rers have learned TO mix 1t with other
stocks. 80 that it will be a competitor still
in the European markets. All that Egypt
and Brazil and India need 20 make them
absolute rivals in the markets OF the world
with our Southern States, and eventually to
break I'D our monopoly, Is a certainty OF a
higher price. Three pence pound, hSed,
would be precisely what every Egyptian
cotton-erower. or Hindoo ryot and landlord,
or Brazilian planter, has been praying Tor
| IL would build railroads, start gin manu-
| factories. erect machinery, clear up unoccn-
MED lands. and Law the foundation for per
manent cotton production. Such an export
duty would be bounty on eoiton-growing
| in all Asia and Africa.
Not the bitterest enemy in England tC
| American prosperity could ask for anything
| worse for the interests Of our great staple
The great bar to the production in India ant
Egypt are the expenses Of transport, th'
want Of machinery, and the uncertainties at
| tending Oriental affairs. A certain higi
price would enable all these 10 be overcome
that is. il would balance the risks ans
losses which these entail. Oriental cotton
growing would become permanent and re
muneratiye branch we should find ourselve
on the worlds market getting only hall
a third the former price for our greatest ex
nort Furthermore, in the beginning, whei
the English were paying this duty, win COZ
ton AZ a high price, and discharging Poriioi
of our national Indebtedness, we, the con
s,,ncrs in America, must, by well-knoWl
Law. paw a portion Of the three penny TAX
in The increase price Of cotton goods here
the monopoly Of the manufacturers bein
strengthened. -,
But we should also object to this tar o
moral grounds.
We need a cotton monopoly for the II
,erests Of emancipation. When the slave
were freed in Jamaica, one OF the greats
evils 20 emancipation was the low Igice
sugar, caused BY the sudden reduction OF u
English tariff The planters found their pr
fits Immediately reduced many eo1ld n'