Southern Standard

For the Southern Standard.

The Cotton Growing States--Their True Policy.

While the South is on her watch for enemies abroad, she should not neglect to look into and correct the evils which dwell in her midst. The relation which the Southern bear to the Northern States of this Union and to the world, in consequence of her peculiar Institution, demands that she should make herself as independent of each as a prudent and wise forecast will enable her to do.

What, then, are the evils, which the people of the South, especially the cotton growing States, should look to and correct? The over production of cotton will be the ready response to this inquiry, by all those who have thought upon the subject; this is the chief and leading error of the cotton growing States. And how, it may be asked, are you to establish this proposition? Cotton, it may be answered, is pre-eminently governed by the principle of supply and demand. The quantity consumed, by the various manufactories of the world, is the measure of the demand: and there can be no difficulty, therefore, in arriving at a knowledge of the needed supply. If the supply reaches the demand the prices will be uniform, if it goes beyond the price will be entirely under the control of the purchaser and ruinous to the producer, and if short of the demand, prices will advance under the control of the planter. Looking to these principles of trade, what line of policy is it the interest and duty of the cotton-growing States to pursue? They should fall as far short of the demand, or consumption, of their staple as is compatible with her interest and independence; because she can more profitably grow corn and small grain and raise her own pork, horses and mules. This is demonstrated by the course now pursued by the cotton-growers of the South, being the reverse of the policy above mentioned-an over production of cotton, a neglect of corn and small grain, and a consequent necessity to purchase pork, horses and mules, and frequently corn. The result is, that the planter gets a low and frequently ruinous price for his cotton, and has corn, flour, horses and mules to purchase. If the cotton planters would reduce their acres one half, and double their corn and small grain crops, and thus be able to raise their own pork, flour, horses and mules, they would get more money than they now do, to be expended in their own section, in the erection of manufactories of various kinds, and in the construction of Rail-roads and other internal improvements. Let the cotton-growing States pursue this policy, and they will render themselves the wealthiest and most independent community on the globe, and this will necessarily beget respect and dependence on the part of foreign States and nations. This policy would multiply and diversify labor, open new avenues to wealth, invite, instead as now, repelling emigration, and do much to harmonize political sentiment, and give stability to Slavery; and of a necessity arouse for its emancipation the South, would have some resources at hand to fall back upon. In the wake of all this, would follow a necessity for direct trade with European nations, and all the benefits derivable from a vast commerce with every part of the world.

These desultory hints are thrown out upon this important subject, with the hope of eliciting the attention and securing the services of an abler pen. The people of the cotton-growing States should have their minds directed to this subject; and interest will lead them to abandon the suicidal course they are now pursuing.

Who will enlist in a cause so good and great? and do more to build up the South and her institutions than all the political demagogues, who are seeking to make the States the mere stepping-stones to Federal preferment, that inhabit the Republic. Increase the power, wealth and respectability of the States, and direct the public mind from the dazzling deception and liberty destroying influence of a huge national Government.

One Who Loves the South.

Noxubee Co., Miss, Sept. 22nd 1851.