Civil War
    

The Cotton Fright in England

February 6, 1861; The New York Herald

It will be seen, from the extracts from the London journals published elsewhere, that the alarm occasioned in England by the prospect of the suspension of the cotton supply from this country is assuming all the features of a panic. The commercial and industrial interests there feel that their very existence depends on there being no interruption of, or considerable falling off in, the quantity of that staple which we send them. Several suggestions are thrown out by the writers of these articles as to the means by which England can be rendered independent of us for her cotton. Most of these are familiar to our readers, having been ventilated in one shape or other for many years back. For the last quarter of a century, in fact, this questions of multiplying the sources of cotton supply has been agitated both in and out of Parliament. The abolition societies and companies of private speculators have each in their turn pressed it upon the attention of the government. The publications of Dr. Livingstone’s African explorations revived public interest on the subject, which had died out from the impractical character of the schemes recommended in connection with it. It was demonstrated by his researches that abundant supplies of cotton could be obtained from the region under certain conditions. These were that Great Britain should take possession of the cotton growing districts, and employ slave labor, for without that no dependence could be placed on the supply. Even then the cotton thus produced could not compete with the American staple, as the latter had the advantage of all the organization and machinery suggested by long experience.

Now that secession has brought home to the English people the dangers to which they may be exposed by the interruption of our cotton exports, all theses exploded schemes are being again revived and agitated. That their government has but little faith in the practicability of any of them is evident from the letter of Lord John Russell, published in another column. All the aid that he can offer them is the services of her Majesty Consuls in the countries which are said to be adapted to the growth of cotton. The truth is that his lordship and his colleagues, like all person who have investigated the subject, are convinced that Africa is the only region, besides the United States, where this staple can be produced. As there it can only be rendered reliable by slave labor under British rule, it is useless for the manufacturers to count upon it. The English cannot stultify themselves by returning back to the system of forced labor, and they must therefore continue to depend upon American for their supply. The prospect which alarms them, is, after all, more imaginary than real; for whether there be a peaceable or violent disruption of the confederacy, the Southern States will still go on producing cotton so long as they find a market for it.

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