Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-13
FREEDMEN'S LABOR AND COTTON
CALCULATIONS.
From the Now Orleans Bee.l

] FROM the new orleans Dec-j
The VARYING estimates which are put on
the number of laborers in the South devoted
to agriculture, and on the amount of cotton
to be produced by these laborers the coming
season, prove undeniably either the ele-
ments Of Southern labor are profoundly dis
organized in condition and uncertain as to
results, or that data on the subject are Who'll
ly insufficient to form a basis Of correct gen
e-al conclusions. Some respectable author
tiles have differed to the extent of million
and half Of bales in estimating the num-
Der of laborers. On the one hand, three
million of bales are confidently assumed as
the cotton crop of the season; on the other
hand, it is asserted, with not less confidence,
that fifteen hundred thousand is figure that
will amply cover all the cotton that can be
made the present year by the available labor
in the South 1t is useless, as some are dis
posed to do, to try to adjust these discrepan-
cies on the basis of splitting the difference;
for where the difference is so wide, and con-
sequently where ascertained facts are so few,
the correct figure is about as likely TO be
outside as between the varying estimates.
This large variance, which fuctuates with
the shifting phases of the labor problem and
the irregular statements of hypothetical data,
is to be regretted. 1t indicates margin in
the cotton market for corresponding uncer-
tainty and huctuation which, if they foster
the spirit of speculation, and favor an un-
wholesome species of commercial gambling,
are in an equal ratio calculated to discourage
the solid enterprise which always looks to
something more than precarious and cOnjec-
turable results. Fortunately, the agricul-
tnral situation in the cotton States is begin
ming, if we mistake not, to present more
definite and satisfactory aspect. The time
for sowing the cotton seed is now at hand,
and the quantity Of land previously prepared
for the seed by ploughing and otherwise can
now be ascertained; as also the number of
hands regularly employed in cotton cultiva-
ton. In this connection we are glad to have
it in our power TO point to the result of re-
cent observations in the cotton regions of the
South by planter of experience and intel
Hgence, Gen. Albert Rust, formerly of Ar
kansas, now residing in the parish of Ouach-
ita, Louisiana. Gen. Rust, as we are in
formed, concludes from what he saw in an
extended tour recently made through the
Southern States, that the area of cotton cul-
tivation the present year is not less than
one-half of what it was before the war.
This conclusion is sustained by the tenor
of intelligence conveyed by the country pa
pers in this and other States concerning the
progress of agriculture in various localities.
The limitation of cotton cultivation to the
half of what it was formerly is fixed only
by positive lack of labor for extending it
further. We must infer from this that not
less than one-half of the former number of
agricultural laborers in the South has been
extinguished in five years or has been with
drawn from agriculture. The extinction
and the withdrawal have been, perhaps,
about equal. If so, one million blacks must
have persisted from the commencement of
the war TO this time, and one million must
have been diverted from agriculture; where
upon two millions would remain from which
to draw able bodied field hands for making
cotton. Supposing these to be one-fourth of
that number, five hundred thousand effective
laborers would constitute the whole cotton
tilling force of the South. Under the new
system of labor no one has ventured to claim
over four bales to the hand.
As to the present disposition of freedmen
to live up to their contracts by reasonable
good faith and persistency, information from
the interior of this State and from some 9TH
er States is of highly gratifying nature
this character, contained in the letter of an
intelligent correspondent at Monroe, La,
and in the editorial remarks of two newspa-
pers, one at Monroe, La, speaking of the
crop prospects in the Ouachita district, and
the other at Natchitoches, reporting the sit
uation in the same regard in one of the fine
planting regions bordering on Red River.
1t is to be poted that the particular testi-
mony referred to comes from points COM
paratively sequestered, and where the freed
men or their employers are least likely to
be disturbed by political agitations and
passions. This fact may be cited, along with
many others, to sustain the argument of
President Johnson that Gne of the strongest
guarantees of the personal rights and the
welfare Of black laborers in the South is the
urgent need which exists their for their la
Dor. Mutual interest would soon adjust the
relations Of the Southern whites and blacks
on terms Of such advantage to the latter as
to satisfy the most ardent negrophilist, if he
were honest in his professed friendship.