Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-03-27
Do not Run Crazy Over Cotton.

The su0JOlned ortcle Is from inc Columola
PLoenir. We admire and endorse it; and, as
exhortcd by the Phoeair, cndenvor to keep the
subject before our planters and farmers:
aWhy should the planters of the South raise
cotton, With population starving around them,
to supply the factories of New England or foreign
markets? The Government tax is heavy-about
one.ffth of the former price Of the staple the
proceed, must bcSpcnt to buy bread and meat from
he West, and much of the money received is
spent OH the productions Of tho looms Of New
England, enhanced, as their real value is, by
high Bounty tariffs and unjustfablc profits.
Surely our people will gee tho folly Of this
suicidal policy of keeping the mills Of Lowell
running full time, when thousands at home are
lacking bread. If the South did not supply the
cotton, that monster monopoly of cotton manu-
fc;ures in New England, secured and fostcrel by
unjust legislation against every other sec'ion OF
the country, woull be stricken down. We would
get cheaper goods from England and elsewhere,
while we would bo laying the foundations of home
manufactures throughout the whole South. These
matters should be carefully considered, md the
dictates of common sense, prudence and patriot
ism prevail over old habits and prejudices Let
cotton slide for one year Mt least, rs production
for export and we have little doubt but the result
will prove so clearly that the wants and interests
of our section have been vastly benefited, and
TINT q new policy will be inaugurntcd in the as-
| ricultural Of the Gull States of the South.
"But, besides the necessity Of such o change IN
general principles mt this time, and The peculiar
circumstances ia which the people of the South
arc politically placed, there is still the greater
incentiye-the higher duty-to raise bread for
the people. Another year Of want and suffering
will almost decimate the Southern population,
md they will only have to cmigrate to more
favored sections of the country, or-starve. We
trust that tn: matter will be continually kept just
now bcfor. cur planters md farmers oy our con-
temporar;es of the press in every State, county
and di.,ri.t in the South, go that if tho dire re-
suits - hich must follow the old system should
como upsn US, the press will be clear OF any blame
| in the promises"
The general estimate of last years cotton crop
was, we believe, ABOUT million and half bales.
| If the South had made but half this, aad had
| consumed half of that in her own factories, she
would be more appreciated than she now is.
Things are ripcnins, and if the South may but
rM it, her situation financially and politically,
may yet be endured. For months past, the press
Of the South has urgently advised our planters
not to repeai the unwise experiment of the past
own sakes and for the sake of their outraged see
lion, to plant bat half the cotton lhia year they
planted last. We say to them, again, that IL they
z5rurrv nrffon uEfcs; tneSc VIII bring tIci
as much money Us million, becauac they will
get double price for it. Then their plain path OF
duty is first to plant rs much land in corn, wheat
oats, potatoes onions, and other articles of food as
will last them for two years. Get one year ahead
.ciM faod. Have grasses and fruits and vegoia
| bles in abundance. The man who has nm ahun-
dance Of grain aad hay and oats, nced never buy
meat from the Northwest. Having these products,
hogs, cattle, horses, mules, sheep and poultry.
We buy and consume vast quantities of food
which comes altogether from thu North and North
west. Much Of this-very much Of it-our reo-
pie might themselves produce. Tao South has
been dependent long enough. Our people should
see this and wake mp. There should be general
resolve throughout the South to raise this year,
and forever in future, all the food necessary for
our people. To this end, it ia evident thst more
extensive grain crops must be plnnted than evor
before Let the Southern people do this and wt
are safe. We can then defy the milice Of all
Radcaidom. We have the soil and the climate.
Let us make uso Of them as sensible men. Let
us first feel our selves abuudantly, and drive away
want from every door. Let that be our frst duty.
Then let the balance of our labor he given to
raising q moderate cotton crop. We need many
things which We can not supply from our own
region Lctusraise cotton enough to purchase such
necessares as we must have and cannot ourselves
producc-such as sugar, coffee, ten, woo!ens, &c
&c. Let us also buy machinery to spin md weave
our cotton. A small crop will thus pay us more
than large one. And we shall set Sumner and
Stevens and spraguc, the Rhode leland Calico
Factory Senator, to thinking. Without cotton
this Un:on becomes third rate power. ComneTcc
has made it what it is and cotton has fed CON-
mcrcc. Nothing has so filled its sails as the
white lint gathered from the fields of the South.
Cotton is . political as well as financial lever.
Let use it as statesmen. Plant full, very full
crop of grains and roots, and SOW al abundance
of grass seeds. Raise cattle, and hogs, and sheep,
and horses, and mules Work for your homes
and your own people this year; but plant not
near so much cotton. Twill bring New England
to her senses, and win for US justice.
---< - <----
NN- SHAKESPEARE SAID, "THRow PHYSIC TO
THE Doas."-Ths will do very well when you arc
not sick, but whom you are, it is we'll 10 know
where genuine physic can bo had we therefore
remind our friends that Mcssrs. GooDRIcH, VINE
NAN Co., No l53 Meeting-street Charleston, S.
c., keep most desirable Stock, selected with
care, and which they warrant the quality Of Give
them call if you wish genuine articles.
| -------<-e-
s. NS> There ara SAWS tho New York Timcs,