Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-09-30
TIE SOUTH AND TIE WEST.

A recent article in the New York World,
specializing on the politico- economic situa-
ton, in the event of the Southern States be-
ing restored to their rights in the Union,
with a representation in Congress, thus
speaks Of two impostant questions, and the
bearing they haveupOn thetwo largest,
richest, snd most populous sections of the
country. It says;
"If the South were readmitted, we sup
pose the first question it would agitate in
Congress would be the repeal Of the enor-
NOUS tax on cotton. As the South would
have to rely mainly on arguments, and COM
paratively little on votes, no harm could re-
suit from the discussion for unless it was
made apparent that the repeal or reduction
of the cotton tax would be for the general
interest the votes of the Northern members
could not be secured. To admit the South
20 the discussion, would be merely to do it
the fairness accorded to suitors in a court of
Justice in allowing them standing in court,
and counsel to present their case. We have
no doubt that the North, il the question
were we'll argued would consent to the re-
peal or reduction Of the cotton tax. If cot
ton culture we're revived on its former
scale the price would sink to twelve cents;
an excise Of three cents would there
fore be, taking one year with another,
tax Of twenty-five per cent. on the
value Of the product; tax as burdensome
as twenty-five cents bushel on wheat when
wheat sells for a dollar. II the crops Of the
West were taxed in proportion, the whole
West would justly cry out against the bur
den as enormous and oppressive. To inn
pose such tax on Southern agriculture,
when no tax is laid on Western agriculture
is an inequitable exeriion Of Legislative au-
thoritv. II, after discussion, the tax still
appeared to be Tor the interest Of the North,
the North (haying the power would be
very likely 70 purae its interest. But it is
not Tor the interest Of the West TO narrow
and destroy its own best market. Three
cents a pound tax on Southern cotton ope-
rates as bounty Of three cents pound on
the production Of that staple in Egypt
India, and all other countries suited to the
cotton plant. But in proportion as cotton
culture is discouraged in the Southern
| States, and the planters devote their land
to other crops, they viii glut the over
stocked grain and pork market, and reduce
the price Of Western products more than
they would be reduced by heavy excise.
The West, therefore, has nearly as great an
interest as the South itself in the removal Of
the cotton tax, aud whenever the Southern
view is fairly presented in Congress, the
West and South viii probably act as unit
for the repeal ofthe tax
Another question which the South would
be likely to agitate in Congress, is the repeal
Of ihe present enormous tariff on imported
goods. The counties ships which 60 abroad
laden with cotton may as well return with
freights as to return empty. There IS no
reason why they should no; bring back such
goods as can be purchased thirty to forty per
cent. cheaper abroad than they can be man.
facsared in this country. There is no reason
why planters or why anybody, should be
compelled to pay bounty Of thirty or forty
per cent. totheNew England manufacturers.
90 this point, again, the interest Of the
South and that Of the West are identical,
and soon after restoration those two great
sections would Be found acting together in
opposition TO high protective duties. lfthe
/ West, BY cooperating with New England,
could snoceed in curtailing the Southern
representation, il would rue its action with
in ten years, as having weakened valuable
l ally in the great battle for free trade"