The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-11-27
Cotton.

From the National Intell1gencer
Cotton is "a gay decever," says the Columbia
Is c. Chronicle. Down, down, from fifty cents a
pound" says the Chronicle, to thirteen cents a
pound" The Chronicle asks what it means, and pro-
cecds to answer the question as follows
''Simpy that we have lost control of the staple Of
the world, and been dcluded by the belief that all
mankind depended on the South for what they wear
and tear. No mistake more grleyOus. Eng
land has developed the resources of India to degree
which made her almost independent OF the South dur
ing the war; and she continues to grow more so every
year. Magnificent railroads, one thousand miles in
length enable her to penetrate the heart OF the India
cotton region, where labor be had for five cents
day. Magnificent lines of steamers communicate
weekly with the Indian ports, and nearly million of
bales in course of transit to the Liverpool
docks and warehouses.
"Blind to these facts, our people have gone on
making cotton trusting to the chance Of weather. rust
and caterpillar, hoping to realise small fortunes
quickly; crops have been mortgaged in advance to
obtain funds, and large OUTLAWS made, in the conf
dcnce that high prices to be received would more than
balance the account. Now, what disappointment!
Few planters likely to realise their salt. Half the
crop has been ruined in many localities and the re-
manning half must, perforce, be Immediately sold to
meet the demands against plantations by factors
In all this there isa lesson, and that lesson should
teach the Importance of changing our style OF agrl-
culture and grow crops that will pay, and not sub
ect to the immense speculative fluctuations OF trade.
Let our farmers turn their attention to corn, wheat to
ground-nuts fruit vegetables to the growth of sheep,
cattle, and horses and to manufactures. Let the
cotton grow to be made up at home. We can save
fifteen per cent in its manufacture alone and probably
thirty per cent. which goes into the pockets OF
the Northern spectators.
ave have gone through enough purgaton to have
learned some sense, and it is time to use it,"
We reproduce these views those, not only of in
tegent and practical people Of the South but of the
North.
Cotton cannot be relied uDon much longer as the
great staple for export. Enough may be made, in
patches to supply the South The Radical policy is to
eradicate the cotton culture, because it only be
pursued with advantage upon large plantations, the
efficient management Of which will render necessary
certain degree of control the freedmen who may
be employed by the planters.
Small patches of may be cultivated by whites
in some parts of the South, and are When
the negroes get homesteads in the cotton region,
they are promised, they may make one bale, here and
there, to every fifty hands.
Cotton for export will not be purchased in adequate
quantities to have much effect on the market. Some
cotton was imported last year for domestic manutac
ture and more will be in future. But the South it is
hoped will direct earnest efforts to manufacture and
become the consumers of its own cotton and its
fabrics.
Cotton-plantng upon large scale is not only dis
couraged by the abomnable tax which the Radical
Congress imposes upon it, but it is also to be virtually
forbidden by the negro Radical State legislation
to be established The landhoders and planters are
be taxed for the support of the idle freedmen to
extent that will far exceed Mr.. Stevenss "mild con-
fscatiOu.'