Smyrna times., 1860-06-07
I Written for the osmyrnaTines
Memo to Censor.

article Of the previous week, but, strage to
say, has not met single argument or damaged
one position assumed by me but by banter,
attempts what he cannot do by reasOning.-
This, Mr.. Editor, is plan long ago, and before
Censor's day, tried by persons corhered, to es-
cape by ridiculing arguments they are unable
to answer. In this instance, however, cannot
consent to let this self-s,yled Censor escape so
easily.
! He appears 10 be struck with amazement at
the idea of employing lady clerks to sell goods
of lady's wear, plan it seems altogether new
to him; but allow me to enlighten his becloud-
ed mind by informing him that this has been
for many years the custom in all cities, and,
believe, in all places where business is conduc-
ted on the only proper plan, and that, too,
with the most perfect success; so that, in this
day, no merchant engaged in vending goods
peculiar to ladies, would dare have the hardi-
hood to dare make change, as there are many
articles kept in such stores that females would
) like to be spared the necessity Of asking male
! clerks for. But SO great is Censor's horror at
our proposition that he can see nothing but the
fair arm of " somebody's daughter" plunged to
the elbow in fish pickle, after mackerel, which
/ am ready to admit would not be the most en-
chanting spectacle in the world to eyes so ex-
tremely sensitive as are his. But surely Gen.
sor forgets that mackerel are not kept in dry
goods or trimming stores, or he would not prate
of the said fair girls selling fish. No, MIR.
: Censor, the handling OF such commodities as
: groceries and provisions far better becomes the
y brawny and more masculine arms of such be-
J, ings as yourself, while hers would be better
= employed with such goods as silks, book-mus-
lin, ribbons, point-lace, &C., and for which her
delicate fingers are certainly much better
q adapted.
h Censor always thought "grocery stores
d Dere grocery stores" and SO did l, and in that
% particular only does he think right, and would
ID ask, with all due Difference to his knowledge,
have we single grocery store in Smyrna! |
al know groceries are kept in the general stores
N in this place, but are they grocery stores! II
10 So are dry goods. hardware, boots, shoes, hats
r caps, &C., groceries! And if they are not
te why, in the name of reason, are they mixed
and jumbled in such style as to resemble no
Id thing in nature, with the single exception per
OF haps, of Censor's brains, which would cause
him to glory in one minute in Tremendously
clutching huge mackereI," and the next ii
measuring yard of tape!
he He then says if would start such business
y he and his friends would call frequently, &c.
la entirely forgetting that one of the advantages
ed claimed for the plan is the exclusion of stor
he loafers!
he Censor either misunderstands, or wilfull
Ter misrepresents what ] said about hat stores.-
be People do not buy their hats in Philadelphia
In from economy merely, but of necessity, for n
pm man is 80 fond of the fashions of antiquity as
les prefer an old fashioned hat in preference to on
I've of more modern style, therefore he is compelle
eo' to go elsewhere to be suited. If there is
Is, single establishment in this place which KEEP
ng good and constant supply of fashionable hats
yer Censor would confer public favor by namin
Ind it.
led He then puts the formidable questions"
lud you, if business man, buy and sell but on
thing or would you be willing to do SO, and
i'm it sink or swim, and that too, in q country vi
yer iage o. First, sir, have never proposed store
as. to sell but one thing; would not engage i
ro- such business, nor would recommend 0thel
the so to do, but would be willing to engage in
business confined to one particular branch
trade, and hope to see the time when the bus
u. ness of Smyrna will be divided into as maj
niS distinct branches as it is fairly entitled to, al
have no doubt but that the man who first hI
noe the courage to open dry goods store on Ii
-, eral scale, and properly conducted, will swi
=. over the heads of every other merchant in Il
town.
non Secondly, Smyrna is not a country villag
=" but an incorporated town Of considerable bu
'"e ness re putaton, and its business has always be
'e'e far ahead Of the town. The Cross Roads sy
Vet, TEN of store keeping has had its day, and b
N answered its purpose, and the wonder is III
'4v it has lived SO long in this age ofimprovemen
un'- It is doomed, and before many years must pr
IN away, only to be remembered as one of
ueu, queer old notions of our ancestors.
" u repeat what before said, ifSmyrna wisl
ness to retain her present customers, and procr
each new ones, she must be able to bold out bet
aho inducements to purchasers than can the SIN
at country villages surrounding US. Then, q
'r'- not until then, will people cease running
'ne Philadelphia I'd supply their wants.
~ u Take, for example, the china, glass
% 70 earlhenware trade. Persons furnishing, g.
nain- orally go to Phils. or Wilmington for 81
pre. ware, because they want larger aud bet
Il for .s.or,ms,, from which 10 choose than is Dol
ty of hla - f0d. Il his ,ovu. A store devoted
son- this branch Of business, with goods at c
oo" prices. would be sure to mouopolize that VII
'''ee trade here, and draw custom from far and ne
Who goes TO philadelPhis for tinware or
0au'y other thing ,hatcan be bought at home at
a"u equal advantage Neither would they go