Year: 1866




From the Memphis Appeal


Going upon the well ll-grounded assumP-
ton that the tax of FIVE cents upon cotton is
proposed in Congress in spirit of revenge
full punishment, and that its imposition and
continuance will practically drive thousands
of our people from its cultivation-will, in
short lead, beyond doubt, to the abandon
ment by this country of its Pre-eminence
as the great cotton producer Of the world
it is not improbable, even at this early day.
to look around and SEQ into what channels
Southern industry and enterprise can be
directed with a reasonable prospect of
achieving redemption from present impoY-
erishment. Certainly the growth andspro-
duotion of cotton offered the surest and
speediest means of reaching this end; and
possessed, besides, the attribute Of double
blessing, in that while it should lift up the
South from the depressing effects of the
late civil war, it would at the same time in
fuse fresh and rich life-blood into all the
arteries of trade and industry at the North,
East and West. Statesmen and patriots
would have seen that this was an interest
that, for the benefit of the whole Republic,
should be fostered, cherished, encouraged,
stimulated by all Legitimate means. States
men and patriots would have seen that by
thus nerving the courage and perseverance,
of the white southron, they were restoring
to the Union the strength and cement Of a
manly peoples love, and infusing new vigor
of ability to the whole nation to early reach
the proud distinction of democratic gov
ernment setting the unparalleled example OF
making and paying debt, within the life
time of generation, that would, from its
magnitude, weigh down monarchical dy-
nasties for ages. The true and enlightened
philanthropist would have seen that in en-
couraging this culture, he was providing the
very best means possible for the Freedman
to work out destiny that would leave him
no cause to regret his unasked for and en-
forced emancipation.


But, since it appears to be the will of God
that the legislative branch Of the Govern
ment shall not, for the present at least, be
controlled by either Statesmen, Patriots OF
enlightened Philanthropists, but by cabal
of embittered, revengeful, destructive par
tizans of the One Idea of puritanic sectional
denomination. it behooves US as faithful and
loyal keepers of our pleged faith, to see
what is the next best thing we can do. II
the Rump Congress s0iU cut open the goose,
in the silly hope of getting all the golden
eggs at once-ifin its insensate fury against
the ''rebels" (so-called) of the South, it is
bent upon gratifying fanatical revenge al
the expense of national interest so great
as to have been for long years the assprity
for all Europe's keeping the peace


why, SO be it. We are PowerlesA9--
helpless to prevenStheir thus damaging the
national strength and resources. We are
powerless and helpless to prevent theil
thus sealing the doom of the great mass o


the poor liberated black men, thus turned
out In the world to compete with more
skilled and intelligent labor in pursuits


with which he is entirely unfamiliar. We
. can but obey the instincts of self-preserva


ton, and look to the means of promoting
the welfare of our own race and section.
# Fortunately, as if the All-GoOd had pre-
= destined the South to these trials and en-
IS durances, and in illimitible benevolence haC


provided the way of escape out of them
2 these means are in most prOdigai abundance
e within our borders. Our soil and climat


teen with rewards to the industry of intelll


gent man, directed to other products thai
- cotton. The civil war, for engaging II
R. which this astute Congress would now pun


ism US by burthening the cotton culture
!, has revealed to the Southern people yer.
he many invaluable lessons. 1t has proved t


them that they are under no kind of neces


sity to be dependent on Northern region
- for flour, meal, or meat. The songs of th


wheat-reapers may, if we so choose to b


independent, mingIe with the murmur {
- the salt waves that lash our Southern bouu


daFy. Our slopes and hillsides. over vas
- belts of country, Of hundreds of miles {
;. breadth, may successfully and most profit


ably be, under the skilled care Of the expe