AGRICULTURE AND WAR. 39 



cotton crop of 1859 was four million eight hundred and fifty- 

 thousand bales, worth two hundred forty -two millions five 

 hundred thousand dollars. The cotton consumed in England 

 in 18G0 was two millions four hundred thousand bales ; in the 

 United States one million bales. It has thus far superseded all 

 textile fibre by its cheapness, and since 1793 has created a new 

 business in the world. In England it gives employment to 

 twenty-eight million spindles ; and in Massachusetts alone to 

 one million five hundred nineteen thousand live hundred and 

 twenty-seven spindles, thirty-two millions dollars, and thirty-five 

 thousand eight hundred persons. Thousands of vessels are 

 employed in its transportation. In its growth it occupies about 

 five millions acres of land in the Southern States, and can be 

 raised, according to Hon. Dixon H. Lewis, for about three 

 cents per pound. It is raised on land unfit for grass or grain, 

 and the amount produced by each laborer is from eight hundred 

 pounds to two thousand pounds. Besides "what is raised in 

 this country, large crops are grown in India and Africa, the 

 former of these countries consuming three millions in her own 

 manufactures. From these various countries the manufac- 

 turing states of Europe may obtain a ready supply ; and it is a 

 serious question whether we should benefit ourselves very 

 materially by resigning to them the markets for cheaply manu- 

 factured cotton goods, while we were engaged in the more 

 expensive operation of raising, and spinning, and weaving flax. 

 I submit these facts for the consideration of our farmers, when 

 they shall again be urged to convert their cornfields into flax 

 grounds. 



For myself, gentlemen, I would have Massachusetts devote 

 herself to those products which are best adapted to her soil 

 and climate — diligently, skilfully, and successfully. I would 

 have her so strengthen herself, both by her internal economy 

 and industry, and by all her civil relations, that no jealousies 

 nor rivalries can interfere with her progress. I feel that she is 

 entitled to her share of the markets of this continent, and that 

 as she values the welfare of her people, she must secure the 

 raw material for her manufactures, without being exposed to 

 dangerous and destructive foreign competition. Her citizens 

 are entitled to their proportion of the golden opportunities for 

 future acquisitions to that republic of which she forms a part ; 



