Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-19
Letter from Baltimore

Correspondence Of Ire IieTUAdrin Gozette.
BALTIMORE, March l7.-If we would form
ii just idea of what a man is, we must watch
him in every point of view. If we want "a
person of marked caution and care, ascertain
how he manages little things. Do we wan.
energy and perseverance, ascertain whether
such person sleeps when he should be
awake, or does he sit, when he should be
upon his feet? As it is of individuals, so is
it with communities. Care and energy and
fidelity arc necessary to the proper success of
any community. 1t will not do to conclude
that because we can't be or get, all we want,
that therefore we should not aim to do all
we can. The great point is, 10 lo 10 he best
adcantdge mhaterer re undertake. Every me-
chanic should aspire to he at the head Of his
line, and every merchant at the hcad of his
calling.
Energy is necessary for success in every
branch of trade in your city, if she would be
what her present advantages would give
The trade of Baltimore is now depending
very much upon travelling agents with their
samples Of almost every description of goods
and traversing every section of our country.
Thousands of persons are buying goods
regularl in this city, whc nerer risH HH all,
but who deal with the travelling agents of
large AZ well as small houses, located here,
and some in very obscure parts of the city,
for cheapness of rent, &c., as location is Of
no Importance under such circumstances.
Alexandrians can adopt the same plan if
they will, and succeed beyond their most
sanguine expectations. 1t is fact, too plain
for denial, that the outlets for trade from
your city, are very important and instead of
your citizens taking hold upon them and
availing themselves of every advantage, they
sit as in sack-cloth and ashes, az if they
thought weeping and mourning was sutt-
cient to bring them living | once saw
two little boys playing with a kitten in a
room, where there was hot stove, and the
little thing slipped from their hands and
ran under the stOve-one of the boys threw
his hand to his head and began to cry, while
the other, nothing daunted, rushed his hand
under the stove, and in moment, extend
ing his arm to his brother, said, here it is.
Now all this little boy did was simply to Use
the power and energy that nature has given
him, while the other .fdiled to do 1t. Why
are the citizens of New York more energetic
than yours? Simply because they rW be.
Take an Alexandrian and put him down
in New York, and you see him at once in
the fast line; but follow the same person
home again and he is Immediately in the
slow line. The difference after all is not in
the place but in the people who make the
place. The cry is New York. and the rush is
to New York. Such is the talk with you and
here, also; yes, everywhere; and thus we all
become drummers for New York. But every
body can't live in New York, and the sooner
we get to understand that the better, and
instead of talking up said city, 60 to work to
build up our own. The example of the Lou
doun and Hampshire Railroad Company is
worthy of imitation that is, buy nothing
from home, that can he bought at home-en-
courage home manufacturers of every kind;
and instead of little more sleep and a little
more slumber, and a little more folding Of
the hands, let your mere hants and traders,
generally, 60 forth, showing and recommend
ing their goods and wares, and invite all to
whom you can gain access to patronize you
upon business principles, and ''it at first you
don't succeed. try, try, try again" In con-
clusion, let me say the patronage and en-
couragement given to the press and its con-
sequent ability and usefulness, has much to
do with the success of city.
~ ~ A SOJOuRNER.