Smyrna times., 1860-02-16
NELLIE BEATTIE.
To The Editor Of the Smyrna Times.

DEAR SIR There is another subject that
engages portion of my daily thoughts, and in
measure oppresses my spirits almost beyond
endurance. When see a town like this, that
was once (even in its embryo state) noted as
great grain market and for the celebrity Of its
merchants, now, since it has moro than quad
duplicated itself in population, descending in
the scale of enterprise, ask myself, "What is
the cause!" How is it that when the old
inhabitants placed the trade and commerce Of
the town in a position that it was above all
competition from this side of Wilmington
ext nling not only to Cape HenOpen, but as
far down as Cape Charles (the eXtrtme south
ern point of the peDnsula) that we, their sue
cessors, have permitted it to decline in eur
hands!
The adjacent villages and hamlets have re-
Gently arisen from comparative obscurty from
accident; or with tact not peculiar to them
selves, have readily embraced the modern fa-
cIities of improvement, while Smyrna has
stood aloof or rejected them. 1t is law in
eligion as well as science, that if we do not
progress we will retrogress. believe this law
is carried out through all the ramifcatons Of
life. WoRK-W WoRK-W oRK-is the law
given by Jehovah to Adam when he exiled him
from the beautiful garden of Eden; and from
that hour through all the successive centuries
that have elapsed to the present time, man has
sustained himselfby the sweat of his brow
But it requires extra exertion Of head, heart,
and hand, to keep pace with Young Ameri-
co." There ure many things that may be pur-
sued and embraced with heart and hand, but il
the head is not equally interested in the pur-
suit and appropriation, there will be but lIttle
gained. When we permitted the Delaware
Railroad to pass outside Of the limits Of the
town, we acted like men that had fallen into a
deep sleep. We did not see the tide coming in
" which taken at the food, leads on to fortune ,
We did not take the current when it served,
: and therefore we have "our ventures" W.
ell feel the injury we have sustained from tina
moment. The effect upon the town is complete
; prostraton.
new town is springing up at the Railroa
T Depot a brisk grain market has arisen thsre
8 wood, lumber poultry, vegetables and fruit ar
: taken there in large quantities, and readily die
y posed Of We shall soon have 10 go there
t buy the necessaries of life. Formerly, the
y were brought to our doors, and purchased by u
e at town prices.
e And now, what shall we do to counterat
!, the evil we have done in permitting the raj
b road TO pass 50 far from US! The only thin
= that will redeem the town is to go to work q
e the Greek. Make 1t straight as possible
n widen it--and clean out all distractions,
- that large steamboats,, sloops, schooners, al
te briggs can pass in and out without difficulty.
y Then apply to the next Legislature for
D. railroad running from the Smyrna Depot to Il
ut SMYRNA Landing. When this is obtained, yC
e, will soon see a great change. The town W
ne enlarge and connect itself both with the Del
d. ware Railroad aud Creek. Business will r
m viye and increase. Property will be enhance
n. Mechanics will have plenty ofwork, and me
We chants abundance of custom. Strangers W
10 come and settle among us. Factories will
or established. Churches will be erected. Ac
Id denies wiil be established and paironized, q
en- our large Hotels will haVel enty Of travelli