Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-04-25
Letter from Baltimore.

BALTIMORE, April 22-Th" Daily Ex-
change Of this city, referring to tn" Month
~ Advertiser of the Richmond Enquirer,
says:-"lt presents a fair opportunity for
comparing Northern with Southern enter
prise. There are 31s inches of space III itS
columns. occupied by advertisements, Of
which Now York has JOS inches, Pniladel-
phia - inches, and Baltimore 6 inches
The remaining space Of 81 inches being
filled by Richmond itself" In view of the
immense prosperity of New York, is it UNI
fair to conclude that in a commercial point
of view, she is the most enlightened commu-
nifty in our country, and that all may profit
by her example. Why, then, does New
York, with her present advantages, ac-
quired by a zeal that knows Of no abate-
ment, sustained by a determination that
never tagged. still find it to her interest to
avail herself of every means 10 make known
to the country what she has, and in what
particular locality of her city it is To he
found? The answer is in the fact that there
is yet a large and good trade that does not
60 to New York, and nothing short Of uN
will satisfy her. Hence, you see her "ccu-
plying 30S inches of a Southern paper out Of
37S inches-"Eyery department Of trade and
manufactures is represented i'll the New
York advertisements. proving that her enter
prising men find it 10 their interest. not
only to crowd their " immense and nu-
.. 49, o.. a ,i.,, .n,
but avail themselves of every opportunity
offered by the press Of distant cities for the
same purpose
Let us call to mind one thing which is;
New York was once n small place and
her growth is attributable u her indomita-
BILE energy, added to her enlightened com
mercial policy, which has made her what
she is. Why is not Baltimore to-day equal
TO New York in commercial Importance
She has the advantage in her Western con-
nexions and in nearnrss and access II the
South. Perhaps the answer may he found
in the difference between 3OS and 6-And
why is Alexandria So far behind Baltimore?
Once she WAS in advance of her. l. the
difference 10 be found between six inches OF
enterprise and none? We often hear the
crv of want of mean, to do business upon
and it is an important cry; but New York
WAS not always u city Of large means. Her
great capitalists for tho mos. part started
poor, with two important ideas. one was TO
do to the best of their ability with what they
had, and what they had not III money, make
up in energy and attention. The other was,
never to spend u~nficipntoi gains. aud with
the motto of DIR. Franklin that ~ penny
saret is Il penny made they became mil
lionairs-and So II must ever be- here, there.
and every where-lndustry coupled with
iudicious care will prosper. But, says the
Exchange" continuing the remarks Is 10
tn. importance of advertising, what we
wish 10 impress upon our usine men as
the idea Of advertising with more system and
more discrimination. No man in trade feels
that he has done himself justice unless he
has a card or q notice of some sort in some
paper. He therefore makes q contract, sends
in his advertisement. reads it once or twice
himself, and then lets it stand month after
month in weary sameness. Much more ike
" to repel than attract attention. The
proof that daily or frequent changes III
our advertisements will be- very advantage
GUS is found in the mind of every reader OF
a paper, and that the system "f advertise
ments as adopted by New Workers, is almost
necessary in this day 10 success in any line
of business needs no proof. Quackery Of all
kinds il sustained by it alone: and here we
have another evidence of what energy will
do and the Importance of keeping ourselves
prominently before the public. Referring
again to the views Of the Exchange, | find
the ~following:-"It would he perfectly easy
for us to fill our Monthly Supplement-
with matter from the same quarter tthat is
New York hut We shall rigidly adhere to
our determination to eyrimie all advertise
ments conpefing wiM Baiimore niercSfs.-
We do not ask any special favor on that ac-
count because we are aware that III proin"t-
ing the prosperity of Baltimore we are pro-
moting or, Own." Let this feeling be once
generally ditiused, not with the editors of
the press only, bu. among all classes, and in
stead of the trade of the country being done
mainly in one great city. others will largely
share in it, and Alexandria. being in a posi-
ton to enter heartily into the contest, may
expect ample returns.
We have the most cheering statements in
regard to the growing wheat crops from
every section of the country. and no State
affords more pleasing accounts than your
own. A short trip into a portion Oh the best
wheat growing counties Of your State. salts
fed me of the truthiulness Of the accounts
the advantage in the advanced state of the
wheat is that it will probably be harvested
two weeks earlier than usual, and thus di-
minish the chances of a failure or injury
The produce market, and trade generally
here. are certainly dull.