The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-04-22

/ Here is bold assertion, not proof. All
agree that the expectation of cotton in any
quantity in September, 1861, twas an abso-
lutte impossibility." Why was it an impOs-
siblity, For no reason under heaven but
because the blockade rendered it so. " All
agree - Who are the aH' General John
ston and those who support his opinions
are considered as mere nobOdies-vain or
bad nonentites. But incidentally, Mr..
! Trenholm's dOgmatism certainly presents
the issue of fact. Is it trne that in Sep
tember 1S6O-'61, the blockade of the Con-
! federate ports was so efficient as to render
the expectation Of cotton by the Govern
ment of the Confederate States an ''absO-
lutte impossiblity," and an impossibility
extending throughout the next year or, on
the other hand, is it true, according to the
statement of General Johnston, that the
blockade was so inefficient as to be no seri-
Gus barrier. either then or until February
after, to the expectation Of cotton from the
Confederate States! Here is the issue.
Immediately after the organization OF the
Confederacy, two parties arose with respect
to the use which should be made of the cot
ton in the Confederate States. The one in
sisted that it.was mighty element of
power, which should be used by the Con-
fedtrate Government to weaken our enc
mics and to strengthen the Conftderacy.
They, therefore, opposed the expectation,
by individuals, Of cotton from the Confed-
crate States, and proposed that the cotton
then in their markets, or produced in future,
shouId he under the absolute control Of the
Confederate Government. The Confederate
States possessed far amtler means of living,
without the expectation Of cotton by indi-
viduals than their ancestors in their seven
years Of war for their independence, or
\. ~, az - han, t1,a Ia
Of their ports by Great Britain was COM
plete. That when cotton went out Of the
Confederate ports, it would aid the enemy,
could not DE doubted; and whether at Mas
san or at Liverpool, they could obtain it at
little additional cost Of freightage. The
people ought to be kept united in their
great enterprise of achieving their indie
pendence and liberty, by common efforts
and common sufferings. Introducing the
element Of money getting would demoralize
and divide them between those who fought
for the Confederacy and those who protited
by the war, through the blockade, by ship
ping cotton and selling the return cargoes /,
at extortionate prices. 1t would perhaps
be bette. to burn at once all the cotton in
the country, and produce no more, than
that such state of things should prevail, |
which might he fatal to the Confederacy. |
When Holland cut her dykes the sacrifice
was far greater. OF this party were the |
great body Of the people, especially in the
The other party contended, that cotton
ought no more to be controlled by the Gov
than any other commodity; that |
by a free trade in it, the wants of the people |
would be supplied by the importation of
necessary commodities, whilst the duties !
paid the impOrtatiOns would aid the |
Treasury. That by individuals carrying on
blockade running, their enterprise might be
used by the Government to import Govern
ment necessities; and instead of the people |
being dsunited they would he better united
by the benefits of blockade running. OF
this party were the merchants traders, and
capitalists in our cities generally. The
ready monev Of the COnfederacy was in
their hands, and their organization was
easy, and their influence powerful
At first, the opinion of the people pre-
vailed. But soon the temptation of gain
began to show itself in our cities to contra
yene their will Mr.. Trenholm probably
n Charleston. A ship was being loaded
with cotton for expectation. The people,
n silence, gathered on the wharf, and looked
IN. The parties concerned in the shipment
appealed to the Mayor Of the city, Mr..
lanes Macbeth, for protection against popu
ar violence. The Mayor replied, that I" If in
/ time of war, they thought proper to
outrage the people, by doing what they con-
idcred hostile to their welfare and safety,
hey might take the consequences. He
would not interfere" The ship was imme-
lately unloaded; and the cotton returned
o the warehouses and no further effort
vas made publicly to ship cotton from
charleston until towards the close of the
rst year of the war, when the policy of the
Confederate Government was known, in con-
equence Of proceedings in the Confederate
congress.