The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1891-10-29
SOME SERIOUS LEAKS.

In moving Tor reform In F0llt4>
cal matters, the people must net
forget or ignore the other great
causes which have Induced the
present depression.
The South, naturally, should be
the most independent section of the
unicn. On the contrary she is the
most dependent. The South, in
matters of agriculture, can produce
every crop needed as food for man
and beast. She has the fertility of
the Western soil with the greater
advantage OF a temperate climate.
So, that if we would, we can be in
dependent of the West. Being the
home of the great staple, the South
could be Independent OF the East by
the establishment OF industries for
J the conversion of raw material into
manufactured goods. Anyone who
will take the pains to consider the
facts can readily see that the South
is fitted in every natural particular
to be independent. She need buy
nothing froln other sections, if her
own advantages were seized, while
every section is dependent upon her
for the greatest of all crops cotton.
No argument is needed to prove
this fact. 1t must be apparent to
all.
But how different does the story
read. The South is absolutely de-
pendent upon both the east and the
west. She buys more than she
sells, and this has been her record
for the past twenty-five years.
There could be no other result
even without the unjust and dis
eliminating class legislation-but
increasing poverty and depression
of the agricultural interests, lying
at the foundation uof all other bust
| ness.
Think of the money the South
sends out every year for corn, meat,
-four and provisions! Think of the
vast sum that flows from her for
stock and cattle, and the hay and
produce to keep them alive Think
of the millions OF dollars for manu-,
featured goods of every character !!
Think of the tremendous amount in
insurance on life and property that
finds its way every year into the
vaults Of eastern corporations, to re-
turn only after years, if ever, suck
ed by many maws of distant mani>
pulators through which it has pass
ed. Think Of what a mighty stream
this makes Day and night it flows
out. Month follows month only to
swell the vast food tide Of dollars
always going from u.s.
And what replaces this? For the
drain of these hundreds Of streams
to what source do we look to supply
the exhaust? To one single crop
cotton. And that crop sold under
the ukase of the men who buy it,
and the price dictated by the ma
chinery of power gained from the
very money which has gone through
the channels flowing from u.s.
Calmly, honestly, is there any
wonder that we are depressed and
almost beggared Can any reason
able man for a moment imagine that
cotton alone can supply the great
draft made upon US by the hundreds
Of other expenditures? Calmly and
honestly, will reform in financial
legislation bring a wholesale pros
perity to the farmers Of the South,
unless there is cooperation among
ourselves; unless the channels flow
ing out are stopped strongly and
effectually and that flowing in in
creased by others?
We should not look alone to f.
nancial legislation for relief from
our depressed condition. Disap.
pointment awaits US if we do
! Greensboro Herald ournal.