The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-03


Following the depression of defeat that seized
%he hearts of the Rebel citizens of the South,
came arrogant and ovetreaching confidence,
based on the old dogma that by cotton the South
eontroIJed the world. In the autumn of 1865,
the declaration that "the world must have
cotton and the South alone can supply it," was
as frequently and emphatically repeated as
during the winter of 1860 ard the spring of 1861,
when The assumption Of British Intervention was
based on the prediction of cotton famine In
Manchester. The rush of spectators from all
parts Of the world into the Southern States to
gather up tie cotton that had escaped the de-
struction of the Rebellion, the leasing of planta.
tions by Northern men, the influx OF capital and
supplies into all OF the southern cities, the offers
OF factors to advance means TO planters to make
crops, and the anxiety OF freedmen to Iaoor
combined to inspire the belief that notwith-
standing his poverty and defeat; tue COTTON,
planter still ruled the nations and commanded
their finances. ,,-,,
moTaIized planters offered to sell plantations for
from So to $40 per acre that before the war
would have commanded from $50 10 Sl20 per
acre; but in the winter OF the same year, en-
couraged by the events OF the summer and fall,
they advanced their prices to S25 and $50, and
many who had been exceedingly anxious 70 sell
at any price, however low, subsequently refused
10 sell for any reasonable consideration.
When the planting season opened, the whole
region of the cotton.g gro wing zone was big with
hopeful efforts, and it was confidently predicted
that, in defiance of the dsorganizaton of the
labor and the poverty of the planters, nearly
full average crop of cotton would be produced.
Millions of capital we're invested In the pur-
chase OF stock and supplies, laborers were en-
poyed at high rates, plantations were leased at
prices per annum exceeding what they could
have been purchased at ten months earlier, and
every effort was put forth to produce cotton.
Every other crop and enterprise were sacrificed
to cotton. The whole South was devoted to
one purpose in the firm belief that the produc-
tion of a large cotton crop would again place
them independent OF the North and the world.
The old spirit OF intolerance again took possess
sion of the land, and no Northern man, who
did not lend money to Rebels or damn Yankees
without stint, was tolerated in the society of
Southern gentlemen"
terrible calamity, which threatened ire
trieyable ruin on all, soon lell upon the over
confident planters. The old cotton seed that
had remained in the gin-houses since 1860 failed
to germinate. second and third planting
were made, and still no stand was obtained.
The price of good seed advanced to SIS per
bushel, and could be obtained only in small
quantities from planters who had planted cot
ton during the war. This misfortune threw the
whole crop fully amonth late, and this made it
70 er tSe ands S"sdHaSes In some portions of
entire crop was swept away by the floods
When the waters subslded, many of the over
flowed plantations were replanted. In other
places the early and long-continued drouth
stin ted the plant and cut short its production
of fruit
Still, there was confidence in the vigor of the
plants and the propitiousness of the later sea.
son; and, during the month of August, it was
confidently believed that nearly 100000 bales
of cotton would be picked and marketed in the
United States. Early in the month of Septem-
Der, however, the destructive millions of the
army-worm made their appearance, and swept
across the entire Gulf belt OF the Cotton States
from the Rio Grande to the Atlantic, seriously
damaging the most advanced plants, and totally
destroying the late planted and back ward crops.
Had the worthless seed, the late frosts, the
foods and the drouth not belated the growth of
the plant, the appearance of the worm in Sep
/, nber would not have materially reduced the
yield OF cotton; but all these combined made it a
most disastrous year, such as is not experienced
once in a quarter OF a century.
Planters who had employed borrowed capital
pledged their crops for its payment In most
cases the proceeds will not reach, and the
planter remains In debt to his factor, and IS
without means to continue planting next year,
or to support himself in idieness. To add 6
the misfortunes of the situation, but little corn
was planted, and that, too, has failed through
out the entire South. 1t will therefore
require an immediate outlay to purchase forag
for the stock and food for the laborers.
In many cases the freedmen had contracted
to labor for an interest in the crop, and during
the year were credited for uch articles as they
chose to purchase, so that the failure of the
crops gives them but pttance for their
years service, and that, with mora, is swallowed
up in payment of what they have already re-
ceiVed.
Merchants, factors, and capitalists, who sup
lunuS W Ine planters, nave received so
little in return that they are not in a condition
TO advance additional sums next year. There
seems thus to be deadlock in the industrial
affairs of the South.
AS an example of the condition OF merchants,
we cite the case of gentleman in New Orleans,
strongly backed by Northern capital who this
year advanced over 100000 to planters in the
Gulf States, and now expects to receive only
$500 900 IN return.
In view of these circumstances, and the poll
tcal announcement suffered in the defeat of
President Johnson's policy, the South Just now
rs more seriously depressed in spirit and mate
rial resources than ii was in the spring of 1866
Again, land is offered for sale at exceedingly
low prices, emigration schemes are agitated,
and men and money are besought to come to
their relief, no matter from what State or nation
they may emanate.
Misfortune and poverty are often the most
potent teachers OF virtue and common sense.
80 In this case, men who swore that not one
loot OF southern soil should be sold to Northern
men, now pray that Northern men, ''Aboli.
tlonlsts and all" shall come and buy freely and
eheaply. Even from the State of 'Missis iooi m
where Legislatures enact most cruel la Ws
against laborers, and Executives issue mosi
vindictive procamations and make most foolist
speeches, we have an agent and a pamphle
Offering for sale to Northern men, without dis
tlnction of political creed, over one hundred
plantations 1t therefore again becomes thu
privilege, if not the duty, of italists farmers
and mechanics in the North to determine how
speedily and in what manner the late Rebe
States shall be reconstructed and redeemed
The President and Chief Justice Chas
Nnar SIS