New-York tribune., 1867-04-30
UHAT THE SOUTH NEEDS.

We have received many letters from differ
ent portions of tho South setting forth the
fearful dcstitution there prevalent, and its in
inevitable tendency to paralyze the energies Of
the people for the growing season now fully
upon us. Here is a sample of the representa-
tions of that large and important class who will
accept no aims, but who wish to be enabled to
employ their still more needy neighbors, make
a crop, and thus contribute to the restoration
of prosperity and plenty. Writing from Port
Gibson, Miss, April %, planter says
ave failed last year In making crops arc aware
We have exhausted all means IN carrying our
crops thus far On place made corn enough to do
us 20 mako the present crop; but will want meat and
tho negroes require little flour, moasses tobacco &c.
aud wearing apparel. medicine, and little liquor; but
think they are better off without the last having rather
vcered around to the Maine Law policy. Now, want
to find some who will advance dry goods and sup
plies to the value of 81 OOo to parties who on reason
able calculation viii make 200 bales OF cotton. We arc
working the negroes upon shares as 1t is called they
taking part Of the crop for their labor We want goods
all Of American manufacture, some cheap good prints
for a Sunday dress for the women. and good coarse
fabrics to work in for both men and women-shoes hats
coarse boots, handkerohcfs shawls, and few other
articles such as plain workpeopc IN the condition or
lately liberated slaves ought to have do not think 1t
good policy encourage them 10 spend ther earnings in
finery as il called. but TO teach them the value OF
money and encourage them to lay up little every year
The laws this State give lien upon the crops for sup
plies OF this sort"
We ask the merchants and capitalists of
this City and vicinity to judge whether they
can afford to let such appeals pass unheeded.
Leave charity. pity. mercy, &C.. &c, wholly
out of the account, and consider that there are
hundreds of thousands of peOple-White and
Black-loyal and ex-Rcbel-who are willing and
eager to work and make great crop but can
not do it for want of bread and other neces-
saries of life. If this City were to lend
them Si0O0OO,0O0 tomorrow, they would want
it all in Corn, Flour Meat. Cloth, Implements,
Groceries, and whatever We have to spare and
want to sell, reviving our languid trade and
giving assurance of future prosperity. For this
loan would double the crop of vast regions
every S1OO adding at least 800 to the staples
which we shall buy of the South and sell TO all
the world in the course of next Winter and
Spring. Idleness, vagrancy, outrage, crime,
misery, would be signally diminished, while in
dustry, thrift, and comfort would be increased
and diffnsed over region larger than New
| York and New England. if such loan could
be effected.
Why do not the Banks and the merchants OF
our City move in this matters We only ask
them to regard it i'll the light of their own inter
ests and those of the community. We are well
assured that there are thousands of instances
where bare 800 would be 50 invested in bread
and bacon as to help planter through with n
good crop; whereas without it he must tell his
laborers to go wherever they can find bread. for
he cannot supply it, Is it possible that whole
counties are to be given over to famine and
industrial anarchy for want of an advance which
would enrich the lenders while saving the bor-
yOWers2