Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-12-02
RAIsrNG COTTON.

What is to be made by raising cotton
We are satisfied that the tax of two and
one-half cents per pound now levied will
be promptly repealed by the present
Congress, because our Northern COVER
nors have concluded it is folly to kill the
silly Southern goose which he's laid
them so many golden eggs. And, as
our market is governed by that of Liv-
erpool, the advantage will inure to the
planter. The cotton brokers will as
willingly pay the producer seventeen
and half cents as pay him fifteen cents
aud the Government two and a half
Suppose, then, seventeen and half in
greenbacks to be realized; that is equal
now to twelve and a half in gold, which,
before the war, would have Melted the
planter eleven cents, and will now net
not exceeding ten. Can freed labor be
paid one hundred and fifty dollars for half
work, and double prices be given for
meat, corn, groceries, etc, and any mar
gin remain at these figures to pay the
superintendenee, wear and tear and rent
of farm? Let every planter make his
own figures. There is but one class that
can make anything with cotton at pres
ent prices, and that is the class who hire
no labor and do all their own work.
This class may make comfortable liv-
ing by hard work But we are persuaded
would do a great deal better, as well as
live more independently and comforta-
bly,, if cotton was abandoned for stock
raising, with grain not for sale, but to
convert into meat and feed stock.
1t is human nature to consult ones
own interest And so it may be that,
hearing the large planters will abandon
cotton next year, some will make more
than ordinary efforts in that directions
under the impression that the price will
consequently go up. We caution them
that, looking to their own individual
interest alone, this is mistake. Many
thought that way last year, and strained
every nerve 10 make big crop of cotton
this, under the impression that as others
would make less they should have the
advantage of it II the season had been
good we should have had double the crop
we have, and we believe not half cent
less price. How is it that half crop
brings only half price, and so the pro-
Queer realizes only one-fourth the money
he counted on2 The reason is simply
that the United States is not now all the
world, as it used to be. Cotton is just as
much king as ever, and about as much is
now produced in the world. But the
king has crossed the water and has left
but baronet behind him. We supplied
Great Britain in 1860 with eight tenths
Of the cotton manufactured there. Aud
investment was so stimulated by our war
that last year we supplied Great Britain
only three-tenihs of her cotton. And
now that large capital is invested by
her millionaires in the culture of cotton,
tens of thousands of new and productive
acres will be opened every year, and the
whole production Of the United States
can be dispensed with, without any ma
ierial appreciation Of price. In 1860
Great Britain imported from al other
countries only 100000 bales, and re-
ceived from The United States, 2,76O,OOO
bales In 1866. according to the esti-
mate of the Cincinnati Chamber Of Com
merce, she received from other countries
ESQ 600. ard from the United States
only 10000 bales.
What is The rate Of increase TO be ex'