Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-29

Ehe Cotton QuestiOr-EO Time 10 be Eos.
In view of the vast Importance of the interests in
volved. we need offer no apology to our readers fo
again pressing upon their attention the industrial
problem OF the South now awaiting solution. W.
call it the problem of the South; but in truth it il
hardly less than of the North The whole natior
IS concerned in it, and if il could only be placed de
h1nlteiy and distinctly before the public mind. the
aeepeSt soicltude would on all sides be manifested
IN reference to it. We quoted, day or two since
the opinion of the American Consul at Liverpool
conelded IN by the Secretary of the Treasury to the
effect that the amount of cotton now on hand in Inc
United States inclusive of the crop of the present
fifty thousand bales. N
This statement would not be significant if there
were talr prospect that the next crop would be an
the coming year will be four or five millions of baie5
VINO can safely reckon appearances at present in
create tnat will be one million of bales? The time
lor planting is close at hand What is done at all for
the crop OF 1896 must be done within few weeks and
yet the industry OF the cotton States all in confu
SION; capital mas almost dIsappeared tools and i'm
trustfa the planters discouraged; the old order
OF tHpgS has passed away the has not been es-
tablished; the relations of master and slave have
ceased to exist those of employer and employee have
not been announced or defined
We cannot but wish that this question of labor
might take precedence in Congress for the time being
over the other details of reconstruction We wish
TINS Tor the sake OF the eolored man. for existence
comes before suffrage and his status as man capabIe
OF labor and needing bread is of more urgency tn
MN than his recognition as citizen; in fact he must
ue Kept awe IN Oruer that he vote. While we
are calmy discussing political philosophy he is hast
enng to his grave he implores food we promise him
the ballot; he claims our hearty and brotherly SYM
pathy and We dealing with him as an abstraction
to be reasoned upon and quarreled about we desire
no less for the sake of the ohe oftho South that
immediate consideration of the industrial question
rather than the political
Judlcious intervention between him and his for
mer Save would contribute much toward creating
confidence on both sides, stimulating the one To en-
tcrprlse protecting the other in his industry illus
the necessity of each to the other Hitherto capitai
IN 1he south has owned labor; henceiorward capital
au LABOR are TO DC united to each other by the bonds
OF mutual interest, and by the prospect of gains in
which each shall equitably share. How can this be
illustrated so speedily and easily by the leasing
oil plantations and the establishment of industrial
colonies where 1t can be demonstrated that the negro
Will work for wages and that the white man will pay
what he has prOmised2
With the wheels ofndustry again set in motion in
communities now desolated and disconted a better
heart would soon prevail, restlessness would give
their recent humiliation, and their present morbid
feelings toward the Government would gradually
glve way to a healthfu loyalty. With this accom-
pshed, they would ere long soon be Qualified In re-
sumo their functions in public affairs and they would
prove an acquisition rather than hindrance as
now to the national prosperity. But the longer we
remain UNCONSCIOUS of and indifferent to the existing
emergency. the more unsettled do they become, the
more divided will be public sentiment at the North
IN reference to them and the embarrassed will
be the General Government in dealing with them.
. Iheagency whereby all that we have thus imper-
found in the Freedmens Bureau. Nearly all are
agreed that this must remain in force for some time
to come. If so. why not give it new vitality in
creased efficiency and practical utility? By an en-
argement of its powers, it might be made to serve
most valuable purpose, setting an example which
would be initiated in each Southern State, end sun
plying In each nucleus around which skill and
ylGor would rapidly gather.
We have questioned above whether the cotton crop
OF 1896 will reach million of bales We believe that
the plan Of the Boston Board of Trade as now alluded
to by US, would insure twice that amount The diff
terence of million of bales with the price of cotton
at from thirty to forty cents pound would be from
one hundred and twenty to one hundred and ffty
millions OF dollars being much practically added
to our specie reserves and saved to the national
wealth. In financial, well as in q political point
OF view, therefore. not this subject worthy of
full attention. And if the plan proposed is not n
good one, who Will suggest better3 The humani-
tartan view must not be overlooked The life or
death OF thousands upon thousands will be deter
mined by the ISSUE ''A
This we are confident weighs with the President
OF the United States, in his anxious THOUGHTS On fhs
subject. and making him dOuby desirous to meet If
quickly and wisely. Let the Executive be assured
that the people Of the North enter into these
SlOns for sOcitude with him, and that thew will
heartily sustain him in his endeaVoTs 10 remove them
md 10 secure the blessings of freedom and of peace
or the now disorganized and demOralized Southi
Ne hope, Also that Congress will speedily give fhs
legislation necessary for the Temporary leasing for
tie purposes now set FORTH of lands to take the place
ofthe confiscated and abandoned plantations which
y the policy of the government are no longer avail
lle.-BoSton Journal.