Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-06-23
HOME GROWTH.


had occasion to refer 10 the gratifying indica-
tons Of prosperity in this and other cities.
These indications rest upon incidents common
and trifling in themselves, but of great impor-
lance when taken all together 1t is the little
things which suggest character, and illustrate
progress.
Before the close Of the present year, the
population of this city will undoubtedly ex-
coed $4,000. During the Spring which has
just closed, tenements have been procured
with difficulty-the demand being greater than
the supply. The advertising has been alto
gether on the side of those wishing to hire,
not, as in SIS, on the side of those wishing to
let. And the growth which is now so marked
and so encouraging is natural, safe ana reiia-
Bile. 1t is created by the increase of means of
industry, and the attractions of business en-
terprise.
If the Sagamores Hoorrawanwit and Wooan-
naskochu, who sold the EIGHT miles square,"
on which the town was planted, for f10 New
England currency at three months, two coats
and four yards of trading cloth, could see,
from the higher light in which their spirits are
doubtless rejoicing, the change which has
come over their hunting grounds, they would
be quite likely to think that their bargain was
not a remarkably shrewd one. And if that
sagacious BODYBUILDING committee, which
thought the tract sufficient for "a town of
about thirty families" or sixty upon pres
sure, and which took early care to settle a
minister of Gods word among them, that they
might not live like lambs in large place"
could now look upon our thriving population of
scarcely less than five thousand families, we
surmisc that they would be quite willing to adj
NIT that they somewhat miscalculated both
the resources of their beautiful valley and the
comprcssibility Of the human family.
1t would be interesting to refer to some of
the epochs in the history of local enterprise,
when after temporary reverses, business has
revived again, slowly and cautiously at first,
and afterward courageously "making up" for
its depression and decline. In every instance
of depression of which there is any record, or
memory, the recovery has been speedy, mani
fest, and satisfactory. The checks and rever-
SEES, which have had the appearance of misfor-
tune, have been generally regulative in their
ultimate results, and have prepared the way
for more healthy and vigorous enterprise. The
discouragements Of the last two years will not
be likely to constitute the first exception to
that excellent rule.
1t is now freely admitted that much of that
go-aheadativeness" which characterized some
Worcester movements, from three to five years
ago, and which had the fair outside of thrift
and prosperity, was simple recklessness.
Somehow or other, property acquired a spec
ulative appreciation very far removed from
the true one. The rapid increase of popula-
ton, especially in the southerly section of the
city, and the promise of great industrial actv-
ity gave an air of plausibility to the fabulous
prices at which all sorts Of unproductive real
estate were held. The high color which that
section wore was not the glow of health, but
the flush of fever; and it was not long before
it became very "sick man" and went into
retirement for season. 1t has not yet wholly
recovered. The fictitious valuation of proper
ty may not be soon realized. Population has
slightly increased, but not by any means pro-
POAhiOh"oiy WIN ObhSi SCSLOHSs We trust,
however, that the season of penance is nearly
over, and that that attractive and enlightened
portion of the city will speedily attain the
height of prosperity to which it has ardently,
ifnot wisely, aspired.
When business began to decline, and orders
for machinery and manufactured articles were
received with less facility from the newly set
tied and less developed States, many Of our
mechanics conceived the idea of removing
their energy and their capital and max
ing machinery and manufactures upon the
spot. 1t was serious loss TO Worcester and,
in many cases, a grave mistake for themselves.
The middle and the Western States had lover
done" in proportion to their maturity as much
as the Eastern, and the same shadow hung
over them all. The places, however, which
they left vacant, have been nearly or quite
filed. The tendency now is toward and not
from U.S. We trust the Heart of the Common
wealth will not be "hauled up" again till her
valuation reaches at least to $4,000, 900, and
her population to $4,000 souls.