Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-05-04
EVENING STAR.
WASHINGTON:
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1853.
Rise IN WASHINGTON PROPERTY.

city. All who have attended the recent
sales of land have returned home well con-
WINGED of this important fact.
Notwithstanding the governmental neglect
that has been experienced by the people
with reference to lighting their streets,
furnishing them all with pure water, and
the suppression of the shin-plaster currency
that has long been and still is one of
the chief curses of the national District,
there has been a steady accession to the
intrinsic value Of all kinds of real property
in Washington.
This is certainly encouraging; and if the
addition to this class Of estate does not
become fctitious-if it is kept free from the
control of stock spectators and land gam
blers, we shall go en- increasing in our
career of prosperity.
There is tendency in all the human
family to extremes. Society is made up of
currents and counter currents. If the tide
once commences flowing strongly in GER
tain direction, there is great danger that it
will become too violent and sweep away the
banks ON which our best social structures
are built.
The moment property reaches the specu-
lating point, farewell for many long year
to the real advancement of Washington.
1t is to be hoped that the day may never
come when our real estate here shall be
70 no 90
spectators from abroad Let our citizens
be awake to this important matter, and
keep the staff of accomplishment in their
own hands.
What Washington wants most now is
feeling of independence, Of self reliance, of in
nate poWer. Our city is destined to grow
with every rolling year. But to be perma-
nent, her growth should not be fictitious,
not extraneous, not by imported capital
but by the industry, the economy, the
personal application to business, of our own
citizens.
The impression should be done away with
as speedily as possible-done away with at
once and forever-that this goodly city of
ours is GOVERNMENT PAUPER. The time
has come for resident Washingtonians to
show to the country that the dependence that
exists here is mutual. This city is made
the Capital of our great Republic, because
no other city in the nation possesses equal
advantages as relocation, salubrity, expanse
and quiet. If we receive benefits at the
hands of the National Government, we give
back freely our local facilities in return
Every dollar that any administration ex-
ponds in Washington is indirectly an advan-
tage to the whole nation
In advancing the lasting prosperity of this
city, very much depends on the municipal
authorities. 1t is for them to express and
carry out the will of the people in this mat
ter. As they shall legislate with reference
to our local business, as they shall present
the real claims of the Metropolis to the at
tention of Congress, SO will it be with the
real advantages we shall derive from our ia
vorable location and facilities.
We are glad to see property advancing.
But we want our fair city to profit by the
example of certain other places in this
respect, and snake haste slowly" This is
q fast age, and the tendency of things is to
push ahead quite as rapidly as times and
tides will warrant And remember, too,
that as real property increases in value so
should the wages of labor increase with it,
If the demand for money is to be augmented,
in consequence of growing desire to in
vest in land at the capital of the nation, let
it not be forgotten that the elements of
active industry should be encouraged at
one and the same time. Investments in
idle land will add nothing material to the
general revenue. Land, to be profitable to
the public, must be occupied; and that
occupation requires industry; and that in
dustry, to be kept healthful and active,
demands, and has right to receive, fair
equivalent for its toll. Let property con-
tinue justly to advance and then let all
s. h. ILL.,