The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-09-15
The Income IRON, Cotton.

We published yesterday an article
from the Augusta Chronicle and Sen
tiael-against the abandonment of
tho culture of cotton by the South
ern people--and agree with the
writer that it would he very foolish
for them to do so. A limited culture
of the staple is desirable, and indeed
is, in measure, forced upon lis by
the decrease in effective labor, and by
the necessities of the planter for the
food requisite to raise cattle and
stock. But limited culture is compen-
sated by an increase in value, and the
difference in the various estimates,
therefore, does not affect the return
value in proportion to the difference.
The lowest estimate VIC have seen
is 1880, 900 bales, and the highest,
that Of the New York Mercantile
Journal, 100000. Higher scatter-
ing estimates have been made, but
we do not think on competent autho-
rity. Let us take the lowest and es-
innate the average weight OF tho
bales at 400 pounds each, and the
price at twenty-five cents per pound,
and we have a gross income to the
South of S125, 900, 600; the highest
estimate will increase that income to
$500, 100000. OF course expenses
labor, bagging, rope, &c.-havc to be
deducted; but both our estimate in
weight and, we think, in the price,
are below rather than above what
will be realized.
This is an income that the South
cannot dispense with, and two crops
of S200,000,O00 or $3.50, 600, 900
will nearly set her right upon her
feet again. BY that time, the guam
tity and quality of tho labor, oithc,
white or black, will probably be i'm
proved, and the cotton growing
States be prepared to enter upon n
new career OF prosperity and indie
pendence.
But, as in previous artl. les VIC
have shown, the income from the
hingly staple direct to the South,
might be doubled, were her people
to engage in its manufacture. This
income would even be more profitable
than that derived from the simple
culture; for it would give employ
ment to large class of those among
us who are not fit for field labor, and
thus diminish the number of the poor,
and tighten the burden of taxation
in that proportion. SO that, besides
an income of $500, 900, 600 or $500
600, 900, We would render the hum
blest class of our population self-sus-
tanning, and thus add to the prosper
ity and independence of the South.
This we believe to be the future mis-
sion of King Cotton; let him not,
then, be ruthlessly OF rashly deposed.
A Southern correspondent ola New
York paper, in reccn. letter, directs
attention to the fact that many of the
dlsturbers of Southern peace, and the
most unscrupulons assailants of the
restoration measures OF the Admins
tration, are occupants of Federal
Offices. and in receipt OF pay from
the Government they abuse This
Is true, not only of individuals en-
ployed under the Freedmen's, Bureau,
bnt OF other officials, who derive
their power for mischief from their
connection with the Administration.
1t is to be hoped, therefore, that the
cleaning ont process which has been
commenced in the North will by and
by be extended to tho South, where
thorough work is greatly needed.
There, if anywhere, perfect harmony
between the Executive and the Office
holder is n necessity