Year: 1862

no THE COTTON PLANTERS OF


THE SOUTH


The Planters Convention, which met in Mem
phis on the 18th inst, adopted the following
resolution, offered by DR.. Gibson:


ResolUed, 1t is the opinion of this convention
that every planter throughout the Confedersey,
in determining the character and extent of bis
crops to be planted, should bear in mind that it
is reduced almost TO a certainty that the armies
of the Confederaey are to De supplied almost
exclusively with provisions from tie cotton
States


They also appointed a committee, composed
Of Maj. Oliver, Col Long and myself, to pre-,
pare an address to southern planters, urging
them to consider the subject of the resolution
with that seriousness which its importance de-
mands. The committee did not agree upon any
address before they dispersed It is a matter,
however, upon which very little need be said.
The action Of the convention could only be
advisory, and by no means obligatory. It is a
subject which addresses the sound practical
sense and the patriotic feelings of every planter
The resolution itself, and the address of the
President, indicate very clearly the sense of the
convention, and / win cause an extract from
that address to be appended to this note, in
which l concur fully l viii only add one or
two remarks TO what is said by the President
lst. Cotton has been made basis for the credit
of the government Of the Confederate States,
and if that basis is removed, the credit of the
government will be weakened. ID. Cotton is
greatly needed in Europe, and if their man
ufaeturers are TO be informed that we will
make no cotton or very small crop, they
VIII strain every nerve to stimulate the pro
duction in other countries which may end in the
loss to Us of a good market for the article which
we can raise cheaper and Of better quality shan
any part Of the world Even if we have to sen
at four or five cents per pound, we had better
make crop, than to plant all our gTouni or too
large proportion in grain. On the other hand,
however, / have no doubt it is the interest Of
planters, as well as duty, tO'enlarge their grain
crops 50 as 10 have large surplus Of grain aud
provisions for our army, and as far as this ne
csssarily reduces the cotton crop, let it be re-
duced. The call for provisions and supplies fol-
the army VIII be greatly increased, and must be
answered to a very great extent by the planting
States, for the reason which must be obvious to
every man that the grain growing States of the
ContedeTacy, viii, in all probability, be the
theater Of the war during the current year. OF
course their usual grain and provision crops
VIII be greatly diminished, possibly to such
an extent as to throw the entire demand upon the
planting States.


More nsghs be said on the subject, but have
not time to elaborate it, nor do consider il ne
oessary, because I think nothing could be said
which viii not readily suggest itself to the mind
Of every intelligent planter.


will only add that no other member of the
committee is responsible for anything said by
me- There was slight difference Of opinion
between Ma Oliver CHE ehairman) and myself
as to the quantity of land which ought to be
planted in cotton, bat this think is a matter Of
which every man must necessarily judge for
himself, and his conclusion must depend upon
the locality aud his own surrounding eircum,
Stances. 1t is only fair to presume that in the
presest condition of affairs every man viii con-
slider not only his own condition but also the
condition of his country. r. n. GAMES.