River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-02-20
| efforts, TO wisdom, justice, fraternity and
/ political purity OF our forefathers.

efforts, TO wisdom, justice, fraternity and
political purity OF our foretathers,
A memorial TO the Patrons of Hus-
bandry in cotton states was also pre-.
scented and unanimously adopted. 1t
is an argument in favor of mixed hus-
bandry in the South instead of ex-
pending the energies of the people in
raising a single crop. II says
During the past seven years our cotton
fields have added 10 the wealth 1t the world
81 GOO 000 900, aud caused prosperity 10 smile
upon every one who has handled our crops,
cave those who struggled for its production.
Annually the energy Of the cotton planters
have been exhausted IN attempting TO pro-
dnCe a maximum crop of single staple,
whilst quite as frequently he has reduced his
means IN supplying his necessary wants. A
system based upon such a policy, and pro-
ducing such results, must be radically wrong.
and, il persisted In, will lead to bankruptcy,
and ruin. No people can ever become pros
perUus who are not set-sustainlng. Our fer.
lille soil, cXhaustless mineral wealth, abundant
water power, and genial, salubrious climate
avail ny nothing il annually we eXpend mil.
hons for Subsistence. IL Is generally conceded
that homegrown bread is cheaper than pur.
chased supplies and the observation Of every
live WITHIN themselves are more independent
and less iucumbered with debt T. an those
who have relied solely upon the Cottot crop,
We're II otherwise, II il hazardous for any
people to rely upon others for those articles
which are necessary tor daily consumption.
1t then refers TO the famine which
more than once has occurred in India,
owing to the efforts of the people to
grow cotton, to the seclusion of bread
stuffs, and adds:
During the past year sections Of Iowa.
Minnesota and Dakota have been invaded by
grasshoppcrs, which destroyed every vestige
OF vegetation. Imagine your condition
should similar invasion become general in
the Northwest. Couple with this idea the
total lallsre OF cotton crop, either from the
worm, tfom drought, or any other unavOida-
bic cause. Improbable as such vista
ton may appear have we the power to
prevent them, and Is it wise to subject our
selves 20 the possibility Of becoming the
victims OF such calamities Our wiscst
and safest policy is, as far as practicable, to
produce az home our necessary supUhes Is
there farm in the South upon which this
cannot be done and at the same time produce
an average cotton crop? Is this not the re.
sui OF the farmers annual abors. We be-
+ leye there Is not annually ioO0, 600 000 bales
( OF cotton produced upon southern soil f.:
but what proportion Of this vast amount is
returned to indicate our prOsuerity? One
T bail OF It Is expended for necessary supplies.
whilst the remainder Is divided between labor
aud taxes. Hence, the cost OF prodIc-
ton has exec eded the value OF the
article produced. Shall this policy
continue Extensive cotton crops have
evnced our unity OF purpose and entallel pow
erty upon Ms, aud equally uniform adhesion t.
mixed busbandry would secure our rCcurera-
ton. Cotton Il a necessity, and the extent OF
that necessity can be calculated with exact
ness. II 100000 bales are grown they viii
be consumed before another crop can be
gathered, and rcmunerative- market price
will be sustained by the consequent demand.
II 4,300,OO0 bal are grown, the large mar
ginal excess will control and depress the mar.
het. Alternatives for success are numerous :
hut we need rely upon the single Que of Co
operation m the determination TO subsist at
home. With this end attai ed. there is no
reason Why We should not be the happiest.
most independent aud prosperous people on
earth
The memorial is signed by the mas
tiers OF the State Oranges of South aud
North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi,
Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia
and Tennessee, and was not only hear
tily approved by the Committee on
Resolutions, but endorsed by every
member of the National Grange.