Year: 1862

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decide whether We shall plant cotton this
spring. My own opinion is decided that
we should plant but very little, if any; but
plant the whole of our tillable lands iu pro.
vision crops, and raise no cotton for mar
ket during the present year. What are
the facts, and let US look them full in the
face? -....


l. We have on hand near four million
bales of last years crop, which, assuming
that none goes out, will be sufficient for
consumption of the Confederate States for
at least five years. 49,.


2. We are surrounded on all sides by
blockade or embargo, and not bale can
leave the confines of the Confederate States
legitimately; aud although few bales may
be clandestinely, and, as I think, uupatri.
otica!ly, smuggled through the blockade to
Europe, or to Boston, depending on the
market, yet that mode of trade is unbecom-
ing q free people, or people struggling for
existence, and certainly forms no basis on
which We should raise crop of cotton this
year, but is contrary-wise.


s. We have as much cotton as We can
take care Of; indeed, We have more have
had to burn some and will have to burn
more, to say nothing of what is pillaged
from US Then why pile up another crop
on the top Of the one we have?


a. IfEurope or the Northern States want
our cotton or wish us to plant again this
year, they know very we'll what to do to that
end; and that being done, We will plant
cotton. But until that be done, we should
not raise bale except for our own con-
sumption. The United States Government
may possibly defeat US 10 each and every
battle during the present year, but one
thing is certain, they can't make US plant
and raise cotton for them if we don't choose
We have liberty enough left to exercise
that choice, and it behooves US to look to
our own interest. .. .


5. We will stand in almost starving
need of d large provision crop, if the war
continues; and We see nothing now to the
contrary. In the way of raising provisions,
let no one fear we can overdo the matter,
be there peace or war. 1t viii! be the
spring-board of our success and prosperity.


g. If it be said that our not planting cot
ton will stimulate England and other ma
tiors to explore and develope the capacity
Of other countries to supply the deficiency
of cotton from this country, our reply is,
not whit more than they now do, or ought
to do, as things now stand. England is
not and ought not to be benefited by our
cotton crop Of last year, and never will be
as long as the blockade continues nor, in.
deed, does she deserve it. We are, in fact,
insulated from the balance of the world,
except the inroads and raids of the armies
and navies of the United States Govern.
ment They are the only people who come
to see US.


1t is of no consequence to England,
whether we plant cotton or not, if she don't
choose to trade with US; that being the
case, be it so, and let us provide for our
selves by planting and raising crop ex.
clusively of provisions, for one year at least,
if We intend to maintain our independence.


A word as to price: If free and open
trade should ever smile upon this country
again, and find an accumulation Of two or
three crops of cotton on hand, the price
will sink so low as not to remunerate the
planter, or be able to regain proper stand
ard for several years afterwards.


Then say again, why plant cotton this
spring? CoTTeN PLANTER.