Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-07-02

itency in their management, what peoPie
Under the heavens can stand such state
of affairs +? Unless we arouse ourselves 10
the danger, the prosperity of the State
will be buried in the same grave with her
integrity and credit.
The Present and Future OF Southern Cot
| tom Production.
| It is now generally admitted, (says the
New Orleans Commercial Bulletin by the
most experienced observers, that the sg-
rrepate breadth of land devoted in the
South to the cultivation of cotton the
present year, is somewhat short of what it
was last year. This does not result from a
less inclination on the part of planters to
produce cotton, or TO less capital at their
command to assist in producing it. On
the contrary, thanks to the remunerative
results of their last years operations. they
were in an improved financial condition
and an eager mood of mind. such as would
take to plant more largely of cotton, but
for the Interpolation of single difficulty,
that of procuring an adequate supply OF
labor It is interesting to explain, and
| important to understand, the precise ma
ture of this difficulty ; and the stubborn
fact in which it has its root cannot be too
often or too wildly impressed on the COM
mercial mind.
| If cotton planters in general did well i'll
1868, the colored employees in general pros
olx
to their needs and expenses, perhaps in q
still larger measure. In proportion AS
their pecuniary condition was bettered
they were indisposed to hire themselves AS
field laborers, and ambitious to set up
farms of their own, On which little or no
cotton would be grown, or to engage in
some business requiring the least amount
of hard work. Some went so far AS to
dream Of au indefinite vacation from labor
Of any sort, period in which they would
abandon themselves to IL delicious indo-
Ience in q life of Independent leisure. Here
is tho secret of the sfringenoy of the labor
market which was experienced by planters
in preparing for the operations of the
present year ; and here is the principal
reason Why it would be rash to expect the
growing cotton crop to exceed, or to reck-
on with absolute confidence on its cIualing
the preceding crop. And, in the nature
of things, this shrinkage of agricultural
labor, ut about the same rate, must so on
from year TO year as long as the bulk of
its supply is confined to the freedman
population. It is tue that Chinese labor
ers may gradually fill up the place in
Southern agriculture vacated by the freed
men ; it is equally true that white labor,
either native or immigrant, may succeed
at length, by close and scientific tillage. in
making, from much smaller surface, a
great deal more cotton than is now pro-
cies which cannot be counted as factors in
determining the actual conditions of South
ern cotton production and the immediate
prospect of the cotton market as it may be
affected by those conditions For present
purposes of commercial calculations, it is
safe to assume that the crop of last year
touched the highest tidal mark of produc-
ton in the pending industrial situation,
and that the crop of this year cannot, pos
sibly, exceed it. and WILL probably, fall
below it.
And, on the other hand, it would be
quite absurd to construe the state of things
above indicated as signifying an absolute
Limitation to the growth of American cot
ton in the impending future. The pas
simist view of any matter is usually the
unsoundest and most pernicious of all.
The opinion that the magnificent cotton
belt of the South is gradually to sink into
insignifcance with reference to the pro-
duction OF this great staple, is no excep-
ton to the remark. The waste Of war, in
spite of many needless distractions, clear
heads, stout and hopeful hearts, and skill
full and diligent hands are gradually and
surely repairing; railroads will soon be
traversing the South in every direction,
leaving no productive region, however in
terror or remote, without speedy access
to market, and, eventually, the needed Ia
Dor. attracted 10y assurance of profit, and
facilitated by abundant and rapid means
of transportation will be had.
Nominations for 1879.
A few papers here and there, with more
enthusiasm than discretion, are parading g.,
the names of certain distinguished gentle
men as favorite candidates for President
and Vice-President. GRANT has hardly
l. l. L