Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-05-16

W v v u u
For Tho Indiana American.
Mr.. EprroR:-Many have contend
ed that Brookville was on the decline,
and one argument TO prove this asser
ton is the number oil families who
mooved from our midst to seek homes
in the far west.
But lot those who use this argument
remember that in less than three
months time the places OF those who
have left, have been supplied by new
comers, who are men Of character and
business capacity, not interior to those
who left.
For the last six months the business
Of our town has evidently improved,
and presume that doublrIthe amount
Of dry goods have been brought here
and sold the present season. that were
sold in the same length of time last
year. But there Is plan by which
IN the opinion Of your correspondent,
the business and prosperity Of our
town might be increased. and the mum.
Der Of It's inhabitants augmented. But
there are so many difficulties in the
way Of accomplishing the end pro.
posed. that I almost Ldispair Of seeing
il done.
That we have facilities for manufac-
turing a great many articles in this To-
cality, need not be argued: all that
We want is capital to develop this
branch Of business. Suppose oui
merchants could be induced to give up
one or two branches Of their business.
and cease importing certain articles
that could be manufactured in our
town just as cheap. and better than
the imported article can be procured,
| refer TO the Boot. Shoe. and Clothing
business. In the Boot and Shoe bus
mess alone il they were manufactured
here the population and business Of
our town would be greatly increased.
Suppose this branch Of business
which is heavy, was given into the
hands Of the manufacturer; II would
require. say not less than thirty hands
to do the work neede.l here. and in the
surrounding villages, say twenty Of
these are men OF families. who would.
Of course. seek home among US, this
would Gil up all our vacant houses,
and create a demand for more. These
men would earn. on an average, eight
dollars per week, this money would be
spent here, and would not our mer.
chants make up tie loss they would
sustain by an abandonment Of the shoe
trade in The increased amount Of dry
goods and groceries sold? Besides
hi it would give employment con-
staniIy to ten or dozen women in
shoe binding.
The same may be said Of the cloth
ing business. II the clothing sold,
W as manufactured here it would cre-
,te demand for tailors. who would
live and spend their money among us.
and thus increase the population and
business Of our town.
Our present policy has tendency
Of driving from our midst our mechan-
les and laborers who are our consul
mers to great extent. while we are
increasing the dry good business.
Again we are having built up
among US Literary Institution. yet
IN its infancy. but which has already
acquired reputation and character
Quite number oi students
from distance are in attendance at
present, and we may reasonably sup
pose that the number will increase an
nually.
There is no town in the state. more
healthy than Brookville. This fact
will attract The attention Of parents.
who are under the necessity Of sending
their children from hem for the pur-
pose Of educating them. Besides. we
have a moral community, and two good
churches in eligible positions, where
gospel truth is dispensed every Sab
bath day to attentive listners.
Shall this institution be sustained
by our own ciiizensl Is it not our du.
ly. as we'll as our interests. and that
OF our children TO rally to its support
by contributing Of our means for its
completion, and the furnishing The
necessary apparatus. and by avsiling
ourselves Of the privilege Of sending
our children to 1t. and thus prepare
them for respectability and usefulness
in the world?
II is plainly to be seen by the most
common mind that just in proportion
to the interest we take as cilizens in
our College. in that proportion will it
prosper. And the more studeuts we
can get from distance. the more will
il adj to our pecuniary interests. But
this matter OF dollars and cents is a
MINOR consideration when we take into
view the amount Of good we are ac-
complishing in training minds for posts
of rrpectibilily and usefulness in our
great and growing state.
But will our cI.izens rally around
this institution and sustain il? Will
We as band Of brothers belonging to
the great family Of man, throw away
our jeaioussies pryudieies and selfish
ness. both political and religious. and
labor unitely for the general good.
Ny God hasten the dayl
vINDEx.
May g. 1856.