Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-06-21
HARD TIMES IN THE SOUTH.

A few days ago was talking with Geor.
gia planter about matters and things. This
planter had thousand broad acres cultivated
by his "late slaves" whom he spoke Of as the
"happiest people on earth" They were, in
fact, happier than he, for they could not see
so far ahead and the fact that they would be
reduced to meat once day before the end of
summer had not occurred to them. The ef-
feet of the war in Europe had not reached
their plantation, but was coming. This plan
ter was very gloomy about the war, in fact
mad that there should be one. "Can't the
confounded fools settle their differences with
out upsetting US in this way2 Why should l
be made to pay thirty per cent extra for corn
and -four and then have twenty per cent.
knocked of my cotton, all on account of lot
of cut.throats in Europe2" Alas, my planter,
all the world are kin, and an upheaval like
this in Europe affects every man who breathes
air. Wherever bread is eaten the war is felt.
The loaf which the baker now brings you is
smaller in size or higher in price, or both.
The planter was sad, and saw no prosperity
for the South as long as the war lasted. 1t
has, as he said, raised the price of provisions
he was compelled to buy thirty per cent, and
knocked twenty per cent. off the only thing
he had to SELECTION.
A moments reflection will show how and
why this war will be severe blow to the
material interests in the cotton States. The
provisions they are compelled to buy 90 up,
and cotton, which is the only thing they have
to sell, goes down. There is not an interest in
the cotton States that will be advanced by
this war. A few men in the cities who hap.
pen to have stocks of provisions on hand will
reap benefit, but how small in proportion to
the burdens which are imposed upon the great
body of the people. As means Of relief
the Southern papers are all yelping at the
planters to grow corn, peas, potatoes, vegeta-
bles-anything, no matter what, that the peo-
pie can eat. Stop the cotton, say they, for
the indications are that if the crop is large
the price will not pay for ploughing. But
with all the preaching that the editors can do,
q great cotton crop is put in. With fair
year the product will be over four millions of
bales. The planters would serve themselves
better if they would put in half crop, and
the rest of the land into corn, peas, or any
thing that would grow. By restricting the
production to say two millions of bales, the
price could be kept up to good paying point.
But every planter feels the need of money.
He must have cash. Cotton brings cash, and
so he puts in every acre possible, and goes in
debt for bread and meat. The system is
wrong, and an injury to the producer, just as
the over.production of coal oil is an injury to
those who produce it. I'the supply could
be restricted. prices wouh advance to q pay.
ing basis. 1t is within the power of the South
ern planters to put cotton up to say eighteen
cents, and keep it there, if they would all act
together. How much better it would be for
the cotton.growing region to put in but half
crop for few years, and the rest in corn
and peas, or anything that man or beast will
eat. But, like the coal oil producers, they
cannot be made to act together.
Taking the whole country in view, North,
South, East and West, the war works more
injury than benefit. Where one man, who
grows corn, is benefited, ten who eat corn are
injured. And the laborers in the large cities
of the North will suffer along with the labor.