Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-09-26


The following article has been On our
table several days. We give il publicity
though we canpot endorse its sentiments.
We believe that All the small towns that
grow up in our asishborhood by becoming
tributary to Davenport. viii assist it in its
growth full Is much a. though the same
amount Of capital were Invested in our city.
The picture he draws Of Railroad villages
il everwrsught and cannot apply to any o.
those towns recently laid out on the line of
the n. & NJ Railroad.
For tho Gazette.
REFLECTIONS.
Peaple in their rage for speculation, TO
wit, money making in an easy and quick
way BY the mere exercise of intellect, often
miss the very object Of which they are in
pu-sui, and which they most desire. and in
grasping for wealth with sueh inconsider-
ate rapacity. .injure themselves and the
community in which they reside. This
premise. confirmed by much experience, is
now suggested from observing the wild rage
manifested BY many OF our citizens in favor
of getting sites for towns surveyed on the
line OF Railroad from Davenport to Iowa
City.
All Of those men who have taken the
deepest interest in this kind Of regulation.
and who are so urgently inviting their neigh.
hors to promote their Uiopian schemes. are
large property holders in and around the
city of Davenport This being the fact,
the question would naturally present it,
self TO the early inhabitants of our city,
who have labored with 4 hearty zeal for
its growth. prosperity and distinction,
what are the motives which ac,uate these
new town site proprietors! Let every man
who is at all interested consider this ques-
ton well. Has Davenport become so
densely populated that it is expedient and
. absolutely necessary TO send out colonies
If it was practicable for our men of wealth
to withdraw their capital and invest it in
one Of these visionary towns. Any one
can see tina: it would result in perfect ruin
to our city. Examples are abundant. Its
apparent that the only way in which Dav.
export can maiatain the proud position
which she row holds, is by increasing her
manufacturing and commercial capital
What lack Of foresight. what want of econ
omy then for our citizens to fritter away
tneir time and money in trying to build up
little petty towns in our vicinity. Can you
forget the rivalry between this and cur
neighboring town and county! Will you
now wantonly translate your property in
/ to their precincts to increase the wealth oil
their county! Do you see the master spir-
its OF that rival city dividing their means
and bu lding up villages in their vicinity
would say to you who have property in
Davenport, If you wish it to increase or
even continue tits present value, you mus,
make our city a mart for business. Build
your factories Of all kinds here where social
/ enjoymeats are easily obtained; where the
health Of the place is proyerbial; where the
scenery is charming; where variety Of
/ facts and novelties excite and give zest tc
life. Here any number OF laborers can a
+ any time be obtained; bu, commence your
manufacturing operations gu. on the bleak
Z prairie, without barrier against the winter
wind, without tree to shade your burning
brow, or drop of pure water TO mois,e n
your parched lips, and what reason have
you to hope for success. Can money in.
duce men to reside at such place, The
( boundless prairie stretched gu, before you,
marshes, stagnan. pools and muddy creeks
within the purlieus of your place. la such
/ locations. with q miasma steaming up
around you, it requires no prophetic vision
/ to contemplate the misery and suffering o.
the early settlers. In the providence OF
God such places have their use, but when
man undertakes to convert and change ma
ture, he will be met by such violent obsta
cles as was Peter the Great, and success
will be obtained only by the most fearful
sacrifices. This subjec. is fruitful of reflec
ton, but desist.
+ TIE OTHER SIDE.