Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-06-19
COMMUNICATED. 1

Mr.. Snowdea:-From nv Office address yo1.
Whether it is merchants Office, or a clerks, or
LAWYERS, or q doctors, is not material am
moor writer; but even that does not matter: I0r
nv object in writing is not 50 much to show my
ability as to propose . subject for others to write
upon my object is to go plump into the matte,
to awaken enquiry among our citizens upon
this question, viz: Vhat means can be adopted
TO render our fown more prosperous?
II appears to me, this is favorable time 10
investigate this interesting question;-there iss
calm in the political world, and there is leisure
enough among our men Of business: and have
no doubt you will gladly open your columns to
any of US who will take Up the subject with abII'
~ and prudence. That our Town is pleasant!
situated-that it is we'll planned-,ha. 1t Is
heal,hy-that it has a fine back country-thatI
has a fine harbor,-in word, that It has every
natural advantage requisite to fourlshog t-!
strangers, as well as ourselves. allow. But does
it flourish as it ought! Why? Cannot ne ADOPT
measures by which we may make 1t SO to pros.
Der? This question propose to the intelligent
and patriotic among our citizens Tor discussions
and call upon them to come forward Lei "
cast of our sloth and slusgishness, aud 20 "'a'
we can to elevate our beautiful little Town
the rank it ought to occupy.
Allow me to assure YOU, Mr. Editor. that
have no interest separate from my feIlo"'e'''lem
| have no censures TO pass, no ffseh'ihe"''
crafty: on the contrary, ] have every reason
wish the prosperity OF Alexandrla-anu ="
wish it, say all this about myself. 'ha' ~ Wv
NAV suspect me Of being disappointed nan
a woud.he phiantbropIst Yet whatever 81
intention may be-, however pure, | am 'eI'''..
of my inability TO propose plan Tor t'e oe'S"
pIishment Of my earnest desire; an" ,'F'''%
purpose, by these remarks, to provoke 'no'e
have ability-and there are many su'n s"'
us-to do what cannot, and what II Is "e'"s,
should be done. On beautiful areh 10 ~
street. a few years ago, We read, "fo5 "a
TO be free, It is sufficient that she WIS u
would parody it thus: {" For City to De s .,',
it is sufficient that she wills it." "ee"P
Der if we please. Every thing IS N our "a"
We only want the will. Some are Of Op'"SS,
that the Canal is to pour wealth into our 'p
IL will, if we hasten It's complexion DIV
not likely that the employment oil our e.r
and population in Manufactures would 0e"
mote our interest! Only look what numU,,
stores aud shops we have;-how 90 '"ey -"
of maintaining so many shopkeePef" W. ',
not, iu fact, preying upon. and 'npo'e'.~
one anotherl While 50 many families AZ. !"
supported in this way, must not the oee's b
Of life be charged to the consumer aOoJ t. v
vaiuea Through how many hands 90 e'O~
among Us before they reach the persons ""L
for them? The Wholesale merchant se ~. ND
cash to the North to buy his goods: ne ' IN ds
to the retsiiers, and these again to the sue" n,
ers. Each of these must. OF course nav ''' u,!s
fit on the same articles; and while W." ''.:,, a
them dearer to the very people ~ho are ZEE, scs
to pay for them. it is readily granted -. .a n..'
of those through whose hands they P''''
large profit. nn-Gi
the same amount employed IN Mao'iis as
which would give employment to man. IL,
to shopkeeping because there is notA'ns ,ca,
do, would keep thousands OF dollars '"'
which now 60 to the North. Ih
beg pardon for iutruding 50 long