Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-05-31
geaaing faa 9arp&eas*
From the Augusta Constitutionalist.
Let Cotton Alone.

after given present them, in such form and
manner as may seem to them best, to the
attention of the People of this State Mer
eminent in Georgia in political, agricultu
raj, monetary circles have approved them
and it is not impossible lasting good may
result from their dissemination.
The great majority of planters throughout
this State are venturing heavily in cotton
Of this majority another great majority are
operating on borrowed capital, and depend
Oh fair crop at good prices to repay loans.
liquidate hire, meet miscellaneous field ex'
penses, and yet have surplus for taxes.
household exigencies, and living profit
Striking out profit, every planter must see
that if cotton does not, at the end of the
crop year, at least bring him out even be
had better let it alone. Now fresh tax
of five cents per pound is proposed, will
doubtless be carried, imposed, and exacted
and the question for every man whose stand
has failed or shows signs of failing, is
whether be will, in the face of the probability
of fresh failure sudtbe certainty of enor,
nous drains on gross profits, replant cotton
or plough up the rotten stand, plant corn
and thus at least have reasonable chance
for his bread and meat. From one end Of
this State to the other there comes up to US
the cry that the seed fails to germinate or,
coming up, soon perishes away Hard en-
this comes the further cry that incleuent
weather and abundant fruits disincline the
blacks to work and furnish free sustenance
for them in idleness. And then, Pelion
upon Ossa, is the Tax-the thieving, blood
thirsty, unconstitutional, despotic, daughter
of the horse leech tax.
What, is the voice of all planting Geor'
gia, what are ace to do9 There is one
answer ana, after much pondering on com
munications sent US from many countries
and no little converse with leading men in
the State, We unhesitatipgly give that ans
wer in the words heading this article-LE1
CoTToN ALONE
If the stand is good, so much the better
for you-go on, in Gods name, and work
it out. If it is bad, don't waste time,
money, and toll, in delusive hopes of doing
better with fresh seed 1t is all doubtful
aud every consideration of prudence says
plough it up-make coru-fatten stock
and secure food if you can't get money.
Waiting on one planting, that has turned
out badly, you have lost valuble time and
if you risk another seeding will, should it
likewise fail, be so far left in the lurch that
you can't, perhaps, if you would, make
corn. Up with the failing stand at once.
There is not day to be lost. Look but at
this plain estimate for hundred bales, four
to the hand and see the justice of this ad
vice. given you, through US, by men well
known in this State, whom you love and
trust:
Contra.
Federal tax, Sc. per h.. ............S22SO 5000
Hire 25 hands al 50 per mo. 2,4OO,00
Feeding, clothing, ,etr............. l20,oo ooo
oV.Vo-o,to,oo
$4,000
Three hundred dollars to meet State and
county tares, family expenses, 'corh o.
land, stock, and implements, acear and
tear, etc., and achere you bank on borrowed
capitol-pre-paynaent Of principle and
interest,"
Let Cotton Alone. The mules and the
Federal government and the niggers will
eat all the meat and give you the polished
bone. You, poor cat, will pull out the
chesnuts but the monkey, your master by
right of brute force, will MUNICH the tooth
some kernel Put the ploughshare, friends,
to the sickly stand and then let cotton alone.
Plant corn. Corn is Bread and Meat-will
keep body and soul togetber-will satisfy
your hands when hunger begins to pinch
'em in the Fall-will keep you aAoat till
next year-and can't be taken away though
Capital should be SO blind as to deny you
further time to pay. And another thing,
So doing you will not only do yourselves
good this year, but for many, many years
to come. To the extent of full three hun.
dred millions of greenback dollars has the
cotton we bad at the close of the war helped
the Federal credit-and sorely did it need
it. That same sum this year would be a
further god-send, but are you willing to
bolster up government which, as per es-
innate, only leaves you for all extra-crop
expenses but one tUenty third part Of your
gross receipts? If 50, planters of Georgia,
you are indeed fit to be ridden, boot and
spur. But if, like the true sous of gallant
Oglethorpe, you declare you are no bond.
men Hebrews to make bricks without
straw-if you say by act and deed you will
not give time, labor, and money only that
the full profit Of all shall 60, half to the
negroes of whom you were robbed and half
to the debt incurred for the balls that killed
your kinsmeD, you will bring about such an
earthquake in Wall street and in Lowell,
in the National Bank system and the credit
of Federal bonds as will speedily work ty,
ranny's down fall. The great mass of the
North are willing to let you prosper if you
can, but they are blind to the devilment
plotted against you and need an earthquake
to open their eyes. Once awake then and
the Five Cent Tax will sleep with Hector.
They will learn that first lesson in political
economy-that Tyranny don't pay and