The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-07-31
Southern Prospects.

The cotton crop of this season will, i
Is thought, produce nearly one hundred
millions Of dollars more than any pre-
'1o1s crop. In this city alone the value
OF the receipts will probably exceed by
twenty millions any previous years re-
ceipts.
This fact alone ough: to demonstrate
the important the commanding position
which the South ought to occupy in
directing the trade and controlling the
finances of the country.
But what will even this results be-,
compared with the prospective power
ana influence which must enure to the
section OF the Union that al.ne produces
the articles which compose three fourths
OF the eSportable values Of the country
in the years to come The experiences
OF last year and the year before have
demonstrated these facts:
|. That no country in the world can
compete with these Southern States in
the product of certain staples, which
are imperatively demanded by ths wants
and tastes Of mankind.
This is shown by the high prices
which steadily prevail, aud the inability
of the supply to keep even with the de-
mand. Despite the cheap labor and the
enormous bounties and facilities extended
to other countries, they have not been
able to supply the demand and keep
down the prices of cotton.
The peculiar product of this soil and
innate has no rival.
The prices Of cotton now are three
times what they were when ne produced
twice as large crop-'his. too, not
wi'hstanding the great impulse given to
production during the war, when the
South was virtually shut out from the
markets Of the Old World.
1t is obvious, therefore, that the in
crease Of production will not materially
affect prices. The world must have cot
ton, and it has no other country from
which to export the cotton it needs but
these Southern States.
This is comfortable fact to know,
especially in view Of tho indications of
an increased crop for the next season.
All accounts justify an estimate of al
increase of one-third on the total crop
of the last years.
Against the $4,000 bales which
have been received in this city, it will
be a moderate calculation to place fully
a million for next season. Is there any
reason to applehend any decline Of prices2
We know of none.
Equally cheerful are the prospects Of
sugar, tobacco and rice. These crops
all promise great increase, and their
yield must add largely to the aggregate
of the agricultural wealth of our section
If we cannot congratulate the grain
growers and meat producers Of the West
and North upon like prospects Of sustain
ed prices, with increased production, we
can at least administer to them the con-
selation of knowing that the South will
furnish them safe market for large
portion Of the surplus breadstuffs. AS
long as cotton and sugar rule at their
present rates, and grains decline to the
figures they have, our planters will find
it to their advantage to buy rather than
grow their grain. This result is one
which binds together the South and West
by the strongest of all ties, and ought
to give them common interest in each
others well fare and development. May
they always appreciate the strength and
value of this tie and relation, and bend
all their energies mutually to assist each
other in the fulfImcnt of their respective
N. o. Times.