The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1878-03-05
All Cotton Means Starvation.

The Hon. b. II. Hill, of Georgia, made
the following terse and pointed remarks
in speech delivered by him, a short time
ago, in that state. He said:
tell you to day. care not what
seasons may come, what large crops you
may raise. still, under existing conditions,
you will ever grow poorer, who produce
cotton, and they will ever grow richer
who handle it alter it is produced. With
out great change the southern states are
destined to become so many plantations,
practically owned by northern people,
and the southern people 30 many hireling
slaves to W york them And in this condi
ton you will reap scarcely the wages and
not half the respect you accorded your
former slaves. And yet, the very reverse
of this fate is in your power. Under the
present policy the next generation Of
southern people will become the poorest,
the most powe.less and the most contem
tible of earth's inhabitants, while under a
wise policy, the next generation of south
ern people may become the richest, the
most powerful and the most respected OF
people. Which destiny will we choose I
But, you ask, how can this better des-
tiny be secured will tell you.
First make cotton you surplus crop
In these five words lie the Samson locks
of your future power Make your own
fertilizers by resting, cropping. grassing
and mannring your lanns. Thus, you
become independent of the guano mer
chants. Your cheapest and safest line
of transportation runs from your own
fields and hog pens to- your own barn.
and meat. house. With no debts fer youl
supplies, you will need no accommoda
ton credits at two per cent per month
Thus you become independent OF bro
kers, cotton factors and lien merchants
You can then sell your cotton at youl
own time, to your chosen buyers and viii
get your own money. None of these
things can a planter az who plants Oh
credit and borrows money to buy his pro
visions.
But, you say, the western states raise
provision so much cheaper. we can make
more money by raising cotton and buy
inc from them. This is the teaching oil
figures, and greater lie was never
taught.
Now, affirm it is cheaper for you to
raise your own provisions than to hav,
them brought from the west and giveI
to you at the nearest depot free Of cos
and charges. How is tnis2 In the frs
place, il we raise 5000, 600 bales OF cotto
we will get no more money for theI
than we could get for one half that mum
Der. Then, out of the same amour
realized, you pay for raising the 1000.
600 just double the cost Of production
Half the labor and supplies employed il
raising 100000 bales OF cotton conld b.
employed in raising supplies without re
ducing the value of the cotton crop on
dollar. But half the labor would rails
more than you need for supplies. Yo'
could employ much of it also in enrich
: ing your lands and improving your prop
crty in many ways Then you woul'
come to the end OF the year with you
crib full of corn, your smoke-houses full
of meat, your family full of smiles, you
self full ofindependence and your peck
cts full of money for investment. Ant
how would you invest it ? In cotton fac
tories on the waterfalls which God ha
sent all through your country to rul
spindles. This would make you indie
; pendent Of Old and New England boil
rn.", "i"~' -" wand mine your owl
implements OF husbandry which woul
make you independent af Pennsyvani
foundries and Massachusetts workshops
Iu word, every improvement would b
built up in your own country. and all tn
profits of those Improvements woul'
go into your own pockets.
Go on as you are now going, maxim!
cotton your chief crop, and slavery is tn
doom Of your children and your chill
dren's children forever. A people wht
depend on other people for food anG
clothing are and must be slaves.