Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-12-02

towards the dignity and Importance of real city.
-.-B-s-
S65-We, in common with many other advocates
Of the go-a-head and progressive spirit have often
had to deplore what we have thought was the want
of enterprise and public spirit in those of our cti
zens, who, being wealthy, possessed of other
means of advancing the growth of our city and its
business seemed to pull backward rather than for
ward, and to retard rather than to advance, that
growth. Too many of our citizens have been thus
drawback to our interests, and some are yet so;
but we are glad to know that such spirit is fast
disappearing before the march of progress and
Young America. A chosen few in our midst have
always fought the spirit of od-fogyism, and worked
and contended manluy for progress and advance
ment For two or three years this contest be-
tween the advocates of Stdnd-sW and those of
Go-a-hsdd went on earnestly, and for time the
issue was doubtful but finally it was decided in
favor Of our best interests,--the old fogies gave
way, and the spirit of young America triumphed
The consequence has been a constant and healthy
growth Of our city alike in its trade, and popula-
tion and geographical extent--ap expansion of our
ideas, and, in a word, our sudden assimilation to
the ways and the appearance Of goodly city.
Among others who thus put their shoulders to
the wheels of our mired town, years ago and, by
their active eIertions and enterprsing spirit gave
a new and strong impulse TO our commercial u-
terests men, still worthy citizens here deserves
particular mention. These men are JonN X and
@, H. SMITH They well known 10 almost every
man who ever had to look to town for mar
ket for any of our agricultural products. We know
that they would naturally shrink from this public
mention, but we believe they deserve it, and we
will risk little shock to their modesty in subject
ing them TO it. They comm need life without any
of the extraneous advantages that wealth confers
and possessed only of such good name and in
domtable energy give. Their exertions and their
success are so web known that we need not now
dwell upon them Suffice it TO say that in few
years they attained high position and unusual
credit among commercial men, both here and
abroad; and, enjoying large monetary facilities,
they enabled to institute and carry out those
large business operations which have done SO much
to call forth aud deveope the immense resources of
the country around us. Their operations in the
purchase Of produce have embraced every staple of
the country about US; and the liberaty which they
have always shown in trade is known aud acknowl-
edged by all, The holder of any of our products
will nearly always find purchaser in one Of the
Smiths, and always at as high prices as the market
for it will possibly justify. glance around our
town will tell, in some measure, what they have
done for it. We find them the active pioprietors of
large warehouses tobacco stcmmcries, Touring
mills, and pork-houses in all Of which n heavy
business is annually done, and through the COM
bined operations Of which hundreds upon hundreds
Of thousands Of dollars are scattered through the
country We honestly believe that, through the
agency Of these two men, the business and trade of
GAINESVILLE has been precipitatcd by ten years -
that, without what they have done for it, it would
not have attained in ten years longer what it now
may boast. And while they have thus done for
the town, we are glad TO know that they themselves
have reaped a handsome fortune from their labors,
and while doing it, have preserved their reputation
for probty and iair-dealing untarnished. In all
the uncertain events Of speculation and trade, and
through all the vicisstudes of monetary affairs they
have never failed to meet their engagements fully
and promptly; and out of the memorable crisis OF
ls57-that time that tried mems sovency so thor
oughly-when so much solicitude and friendly in
terest felt for the issue as to them and others
out of that fiery trial they came unhurt and with
out reproach and to-day they stand among the
first and foremost of our acknowledged leaders OF
trade.
We have said this much of the Messrs. Smith
simply because we believe all of it, and even more
is due to them for the benefits they have conferred
upon our city and the country around in the prose-
eution Of their business. While We say this much
for them, as a tribute justly dive them, We DO not
wish by any means TO undcr-rate or forget the adj
vantNgcs that have been brought upon us by others
We speak thus prominently of the Smiths because
the benefits that have accrued to the community
through them, aud the impulse they have given tc
the growth of our city and the advancement of il.
trade, are 50 palpa5lc ami sclf-evi3ent. Long may
they live aud prosper in the enjoyment of their
well-earned fortune and reputation
ReA- Next Sunday at IL O'clock Rev. Mr.
Sawrie designs 10 preach at the Methodist Church
on the Scriptural character of revvals of religion