The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1869-04-01

| n0thlnS Dut cottou. he"'
they began to market the staple, as
prices had fallen to a decidedly lower
level, it Tas fo;iud that it did not return
then the cost Of raising it. Corn aud
wheat they had neglected, and it was
the bitter experience they then passed
through ds 4 consequence of this neg
lect which showed them lis folly, and
led them to a wiser course the past sea.
SON. Thus suffering and an identity Of
interests brought all classes together as
they never before had been, showing
the freedmen if he would eat he must
work, and the planter that he could not
depend Upon 'ezorbitaut figures, btt
must hire his labor so that he cah raise
his crop at a reasonable figure, and
must give up portion of his time and
land to food products. If this crop of
cotton had cost as much as the previous
ones, or if the South had raised no food,
they would have been compelled to
force the staple upon the market to get
themselves out of debt to provide the
necessities of life, and very little bene-
fit would have resulted to them from the
improved rates. On the contrary, the
planter now clearing over ten cents per
pound, and the South is making mil
lions of dollars, placing them, as we
before stated, in position of great
strength for the new year.
We have, then, in the experience of
the past, an unmistakable indication of
the course that should be pursued by
the Eouth, in order that the advantage
she now possesses may be maintained.
First, then, it is of the highest impor-
tance that the planter should not be led
oy present prices to contract with the
freedmen at exorbitant rates. The crop
urittst be raised Economically and cheap
ly, fGtr there is no wisdom in supposing
ts,!a:s ts!:ss it can be marketed except at 6g-
ure very much below present quota
tiens. 1t must be remembered that the
prices now obtained act as premium
for the cultivation of cotton throughout
the Whole world. Largely increased
supplies are likely, under this stimulus,
to be raised in India, Egypt, Brazil,
and other places, and although the
consumption is steadily increasing, a
decided reduction in the rates must be
the result of this eager competition in
production. We notice that there is
some iihidaiissriosition among the fFe,ed!peln
to contract for last years wages. This
is right where is be worth more but for
the planter to agree now to pay an ex
bitant rate, just beca>isc cotton at the
momeSt is high, would be only to en-
sure for both parties disappointment and
loss-in fact to check tho prosperity
which the past year has beg9n to devel-
op throughout the Soiith. Then, again,
it is of the greatest Importance that as
much wheat and corn and provisions be
planted as was planted the past year.
1t is desirable that cotton should be the
leading, but not the only production.-
A disregard of this idea was the error
of the FIRST years after the war, and short
breadstutf crops in Europe pat up the
prices of corn and wheat to figures which
resulted in the fearful distress of the
Winter of 1S67-eS.
We thiuka little caution now on those
points would be of inestimable value
to the South for years to come. Not
that VIC desire small CROP of cotton to
be raised-for we believe the true in.
| tereests Of the cotton States demand a
large crop and low prices, which will
drive out c;o'mpetition-but simply that
the greatest economy Of production be
used to contract for labor based on pre-
sent rateai Of cotton be made, aud a suf.
fcient supply of food products be pit in
to make that section Independent of
others for their daily bread. The oh.
scrvanse of these precautions will en-
sure prosperous year for the South,
and do much toward imparting activity
to the industrious of the Whole country.
Merchants Mayaissinss tdi Fsbraaoryy.
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