Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-02-19
\ MEMORIAL,

a memorial to the Patrons of Husbandry
in the Cotton States was also presented
and unanimously adopted. 1t is an argu-
ment in favor OF mixed husbandry in the
South, instead of eXpending the energies
OF the people in raising single crop. 1t
says:
During the past seven years our cotton fields
have added TO the wealth of the world s., 900,
OO0, 900, and caused prosperity to smile upon
every one who has handled our crops, ave
those who struggled for their production. An
nually the energies of the cotton-planters
have been exhausted in attempting to produce
a maximum crop of single staple, whilst
quite rs frequently he has reduced his means
in supplying his necessary wants. y system
based upon such a policy and producing such
results musC be radically wrong, and, if per-
sisted in, will lead 10 bankruptcy and ruin.
No people can ever become prosperous
who are not self-sustaining Our fertile
soil, eXhaustless mineral wealth, abundant
waterpower, and genial, salubrious climate
avail us nothing if annually we cNpcnd
millions for subsistence. 1t is generally con
sidcred that homegrown bread is cheaper
than purchased supplies, aud the observation
of every planter is that those Southern farm
ers who live within themselves are more indie
pendent and less encountered with debt than
those who have relied solely upon the cotton
crop. Were it otherwise it is hazardous for
any people to rely upon Others for supply of
those articles which are necessary for their
daily consumption.
1T then refers to famine, which more
than once occurred in India, owing to the
efforts of the people to grow cotton to the
exclusion of breadstutls and adds:
During the past year sections of Iowa, Min
ncsota and Dakota have been invaded by
grasshoppers which destroyed every ves,ge
of vegetation. Imagine your condition should
similar invasion become general in the
Northwest. Coupled with this idea, the total
failure of a cotton crop. either from the worm,
from drought, or any other unay oidable cause,
improbable as such visitation may appear
have we the power TO prevent them, and is it
wise to subject ourselves to the possibility of
becoming the victims of such calamities? Our
wisest and safest policy is, as far as practicable,
to produce at home our necessary supplies.
Is there a farm in the South upon which this
cannot be done, and at the same time produce
an average cotton crop?
What is the net result of the farmers an
nual labors ? We believe there are annually
4 600, goo bales of cotton produced upon South
crn soil but what proportion of this vast
amount is retained to indicate our prosperity?
One-half of it is expended for necessary
supplies, whilst the remainder is divided be-
tween labor and taxes. Hence, the cost Of
article produced. Shall this policy continue?
Extensive cotton crops have. cyinced our unity
of purpose and entailed poverty upon us, and
equally uniform adhesion TO mixed husbandry
would secure our recuperaton Cotton is q
necessity, and the extent of that necessity can
be calculated with eXactncss. If $500, 600
bales are grown, they will be consumed before
another crop can be gathered, and a rcmunera-
tive market price will be sustained by the con-
sequent demand. If 4,500,0O0 bales are
grown, the large marginal excess will control
and dcpress the market.
Alternatives for success are numerous, but
we need only rely upon the single one of Co
operating in the determination TO subsst at
home. With this end attained, there Is no
reason why we should not be the happiest,
most independent and prosperous people on
earth.
The memorial is signed by the Masters
of State Oranges OF South and North
Carolina Alabama, Mississippi, Florida,
Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia and Ten
nessee, and was not only heartily approved
| by the Committee on Resolutions, but in
dorsed by every member of the National
! Grange.