Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-23
AgrieuIturc I'm the south.

From the Memphis Appeal.
Many of our Southern contemporaries
are engaged in urging planters against
planting too much cotton, to the neglect OF
other farm products. We infer from fhis
that the old cotton mama has retaxen pos
session of our people. Ifso, we apprehend
that the still small voice OF the newspapers
will be little needed. If the experience OF
the four years passed under strict seclusion
from the rest of the country, compelling the
South to develope and rely upon her own
resources, is not sufficient to convince the
Southern people Of the impolicy of stinting
and shaving themselves in order that the
world may have cheap cotton, then would
they not believe though one should rise frorn
the dead. .s-tf .sls
Great as has been the devastation Of the
South BY the war, the lesson taught by il
would compensate its ravagss, il our people
would but consider and profit by it. That
lesson, we had supposed, was SO plain and
palpable, so clearly elucidated and brought
home TO the observation of every one, that
il could not be forgotten during this genera
ton at least. That lesson was, that the
South has all the means Of positive inde-
pendence within herself, and that she may
grow richer by double, in growing one-third
or one-fourth less cotton. Wheat, corn, all
the cereals in fact, in ample abundance for
home consumption, can be grown all over
the South, while her undeveloped mineral
resources are abundant beyond belief Never
was there country that so beseechin2iy in
vited man to diversity his labor; aud we had
supposed that it was only the existence Of
the institution of slavery, necessitating as il
were the production Of one staple, the culti-
walton Of which was adapted TO the negros
skill and intelligence, that could have in
duced any people to turn deaf ear to the
suggestions Of Nature. To fall back, now,
into the old channel Of raising only cotton,
buying everything else, viii be little better
than fatuity,
The outside world, we freely grant, is very
much interested in having large crops Of
cheap cotton but we Of the South are infn-
itely more concerned in improving and de-
veloping the natural capabilities Of our coun-
try. Instead Of large cotton plantations, we
want small well cultivated, we'll stocked,
well improved farms, with plenty of corn,
and wine, iat ilocks and sleek herds Of our
own production. We want diversi6cation
Of our labor, whereby, in the development of
our mineral wealth, and in the manufactures
for which our country Is 80 well adapted, we
may dispense, in part at least, with cotton a.
a means of commanding ready money. I'm
der the old order Of things, the Southern
cotton planter was, in efiect--thoueh he liftle
suspected it-hut little more than steward
and overseer for the Lsrds Of the Loom
IN New and Old England. His inheritance
Of the burthen Of African slaves for whom
he was bound 70 provide, and hence was
under the necessity Of furnishing with en-
ployment suited to their capacities, perhaps
rendered it difficult 10 be any thing else.
But now that he has been emancipated and
set free from this obligation, 1t win surely
argue little for his intelligence If he volun-
tarily returns to the old seryitnde. II the
world wants cheap cotton, LET the world find
il AZ best il may. The Southron-whether
by birth or adoption--if he i wise, viii con-
slider that he has contributed his due proper
ton TO that specific philanthropy.
And 80 let him betake himself 10 that way
Of life TO which soil and climate invite him,
and become the well-Iiving, rubicnnd, inde-
pendent farmer and country gentleman that
he may-with well-sfored cellar Of wine Of
his own making, fruits Of his own growing,
stock Of his own rearing-owing no one, but
.n example Of the shriff, health, happiness
and real independent wealth that may reari-
mate our wasted Southern land ,by a proper
direction Of agriculture in the SoutA.