The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-24

upoa fading it unsalabls, determine to invest
nothing in lawns and musiins for the demands
of summer, he would act ~ wisely ~ do such
| faint hearted friends of internal Improvements,
especially when it is remembered that the
prosperity of each project always depends to
no limited extent upon the creation Of other
and kindred Improvements.
IT, in the case of the canal, Washington does
not at present profit to the extent Of the hopes
of many of her best and truest citizens, it should
at least be qualification to US to know that
her sister cities of Georgetown and Alexandria
are deriving very considerable advantages, in
common with a vast extent of country through
which that canal has its course, that the sue
cess OF that, noble enterprise is daily on the
increase, and that it will surely prove in time
as advantageous to the holders of the scrip of
the company as to the people who avail them
selves of its business facilities.
The character Of each improvement proposed
should be well considered, and the minds of
the people should be thoroughly enlightened on
every recommendation before their being called
upon to act on an important measure; and to
this end every project submitted to them should
be clearly set forth and eaborately discussed;
yet it is their duty TO ACT, and if the alterna-
tive lies between the choice of measures not
quite equal to others that might be adopted,
on the one hand, and positive nertness on the
other, il were better that the former should be
chosen. We can only succeed by means Of ef-
fort-by continual effort, and that to the full ex
tent of all our means. The General Govern
ment, In the prosecution of its own affairs, may
from year to year do much to beautify our city
and render it attractive; but if its people are
not enterprising, cheerful, and hospitabIe; if
from every possible point Of access avenues are
not opened to this capital, and each passenger
upon the great national highways invited as it
were to its precincts, the grass will grow upon
the sidewalks, and the dust will continue to
arise in clouds upon the air.
But we are hopeful Of the success of Wash
ingion. the outspread prospect is cheering
In every point of view. The country around
US, once regarded as sterile, is proving, under
the hand of industry, exceedingly prolific;
The health of the city and vicinity, Gas
we shall in day or two demonstrate by
indisputable data,) is equal to that of any
city in the Union; our facilities for intercourse
with all parts Of the country are soon to be
greatly augmentation the south by railroad
connection with the main line of travel; on the
northwest by the Metropolitan railroad; and on
the northeast by more liberal course of policy
on the part Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company, or, as many hope, by the construc-
ton of an air. line road between Washington and
New York. If we add to these advantages
the incalculable blessings of bountiful supply
Of pure water from the Potomac river, soon to
be provided though the munhcence of the Gov
ernment, what more can be asked to inspire
hope within the breasts Of ala
Let US, then, adapt to our use the words of the
Tribune: Qua PRosP ERIrY MUST BE WON BY Eff
FORT, AND By EFFORT MUST 1T BE MAINTAINED
If any doubt the wisdom of this saying, and
are content to await supnely for the coming of
prosperity, we trust they may not thwart the
effort that others would put forth, but content
themselves by the practice of mastery in |
activity" in the conduct of their private inte-
rests only. Upon Witnessing the realization of
their success, we may possibly assent TO an ex-
pertinent upon more extended scale.