The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-18
Uhf SeslalIy gr9ns.
Independent IN Eoeryt1siasq.
Concluded from second naee j,


err, and genial, sanbrious climate avail ns
nothing if annually we expend millions for
subsistence. 1t is generally conceded that
home grown bread is cheaper than purch-
ased supplies, and the observation of every
planter is, that those Southern farmers who
live within themselves are more independ
ent and less encountered with debt than
those who have relied solely upon the cot
ton crop. Were it otherwise, it is hazard
GUS for any people to rely upon others for
supply of those articles which are necces.
sary for their daily consumption.
The horrors of famine which have more
than once cursed the people of India in
| their efforts to grow cotton tc the exclusion
of breadstuffs, would have been repeated
in our midst, but that we are able to sup
ply our necessities from the teeming gran
aries of the Northwest We shrink from
the contemplation of what would be our
condition should disaster deprive us OF that
resource. During the past year certain
portions of Iowa, Minnesota aad Dakota
have been invaded by the grasshopper.
which has swept their fields like fire and
destroyed every vestige OF vegetation I'm
agine your condition should a similar inya-
sion become general in the Northwest.
Couple with this idea the total failure Of a
cotton crop either from the worm, FROM
drought or any other unavoidable cause
Improbable as such visitations may appear
have we the power to prevent them? And
is it wise to subject ourselves to the posi-
bihty of becoming the victims of such cal
antilles? Depend upon it, our wisest and
safest policy is, as far as practicable, to
produce at home our necessary supplies.
Is there farm in the South upon which
this cannot be done, and at the same time
produce an average cotton crop as the net
result of the farmers annual labors ? We
believe there is not, and you have only to
practice this policy for the year 1874, and
harvest time will proclaim redemption to
the South and return to the wonted pros
perity.
AS our constitution expressesit, the pros
perity of a nation is in proportion to the
value of its productions. Then how mag.
ni6ccntly prosperous should be the cotton
states of this Union. Annually four mil
lions IA 900, 000) Of bales of cotton are pro
duced upon Southern soil, But what pro
portion OF this vast amount is returned tt
J Indicate our prosperity? One-half of it i
expended for necessary supplies, whilst tn,
remainder is divided between labor ant
taxes Hence the cost of production ha
o exceeded the value of the article produced
Shall this policy continue? Extensiv
cotton crops have evinced our unity Of pur
: pose, and entailed poverty upon u.s. Al
It equally uniform adhesion to mixed husban
dry would secure our recuperation.
:, Patrons. OF the South, do you appreciat
u your privileges? Reflect upon your op
!. portunity to exact tribute of the world
Cotton is a necessity, and the extent of tina
q necessity can be calculated with exactness
1t is equally well known what proportio
- of that necessity must be supplied by th
cotton states of America, Ii three million
FIVE hundred thousand bales (3,500,00(
are grown, they will be consumed befor
! another crop can be gathered, and RENT
nerative market price will be sustained /
\ the consequent demand. If four million
= FIVE hundred thousand 4,5O0.000) bale
are grown the large marginal excess wi
" control this feature Of our condition A
al ternatives for success are numerous, but W
d need rely only upon the single one of C
e- operating in the determination to subsi
at home, With this end attaIne'. there
. no reason why we should not be the hapI
est. most independent and prosperous pc
\ pie on earth.
ile D Hyatt Aiken, 5 c. Member Eek Com Nat Gran!
W hambers, Master Alabama State Grange
A j Vaughan, Master Mississippi State GranG
Ben Wardlaw Master Florida State Grange
John Jones. Master Arkans4 IS State Grange
ar W Lewis, Master Louisiana State Grange
Smith, Master Georgia state Grange.
A W Maxwell, Master Tennessee State Grange.
Columbus Mills, Master State Grange