The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-05
THE PRECURSOR OF A LARGE
COTTON CROP.

There are many things in this world
that have 10 be construed by con-
trariee, just as the Irish interpret
their dreams. The harsh, offensive
caterwailing which vexes the ear on a
dark dismal night, creates the impress
sion that the felis domesticd are exter-
minating each other, when, in fact,
they are only increasing the cat crop
and when planters tell each other
and their merchants that there is an
overproduction OF cotton, that cotton
raising is a losing business at present
prices, and that they intend to reduce
the acreage one half this year, it may
be accepted as an unfailing sign Of a
still larger crop. Throughout the en-
tire cotton-producing region the plan
tiers are discouraged on account OF the
present ruinous price of cotton, and
they jointly resolve to reduce the pro-
duction. Each believes the other in
earnest, aud fancying that the small
amount raised will command fabulous
prices, all increase instead Of dimin-
ishing their acreage, aud the result is
oyesproduetion and loss instead Of
profit. When the war first commenced
Lincoln issued several proclamations
ordering the rebels to disperse. But
the more proclamations he issued the
more the rebels banded together and
the more they fought. And It seems
the more the cotton merchants OF the
South advise the planting OF one.third
less cotton and more grain and grasses,
the more the planters issue their
proclamations, pledging each other to
reduce the acreage, the more is plant
cd and less the price. 1t seems that
the experience Of the past twenty
years ought to induce planters to prac.
tice what they preach. The belief
that small crop will be planted and
that as a consequence cotton will COM
mand fabulous prices, induces each
planter TO prepare for the harvest. All
are animated by the same motives,
and hence overproduction and ruinous
prices. The Memphis Cotton Ex-
change on Tuesday Last adopted reso-
lutions impresSing ON planters the i'm.
portance OF reducing the cotton pro-
duction and enlarging the food crops.
The close of each season convinces the
country more and more of the blessings
OF self-sustaining farming. He who |
would thrive through the summer and |
winter is the one who, from his own
production, feeds his laborers aud his
stock, and whose smoke.house and |
granary are located on his own land.
The history Of the planter since the
war has been working to this point. |
Cotton has been dethroned Of much
OF his monarchy, and loyalty to this
king has made slaves of the planter,
Is the cause Of all his woes. Notwith.
standing the fact that the South has a
monopoly OF cct.on-raising, that the
crop commands gold in all the mar |
kets Of the world, and that the indus
try Of spinning is extending the use
Of its fabrics into all corners of the |
ealth, the price constantly declines.
Obviously, something is wrong in that
system Of political economy which |
draws the vitality Of the producer, en-. !
riches the merchant, the speculetor
and the spinner while inn
poverishing the planter. The
history Of the past twenty years, and |
especially Of last year, ought to di-
vorce the planting Ephraims from
their cotton idol. The price con.
anues ruinously low, and planters
part with their hard earned product |
in despair and disgust. But in the
face nj the advice Of their merchants
and in utter disregard of their pledges
to reduce the acresge of cotton the
planters continue in the old rut
and make no change except to make
more cotton.