Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-01-24

10 the Edltors OF the Union and American:
have been much pleased with the &C
tiVity of the canvassers for subscriptions
TO purchase a location for the Fair
Grounds, and have been somewhat amused
at the shifts of the friends Of the various
proposed localities to gain public attention
and obtain subscriptions. Our railroads,
too, seem to be entering into the contest in
quite lively manner. The Chattanooga
railroad has already made its bid in favor
of the Golf place. The Decatur road will
undoubtedly do as we'll for the Foster
place. The friends of the South Nash
Vile street railroad are out squarely and
warmly for Glencliffe, while the Spruce
Street railroad is just as decided and warm
for the Foster place. So you see we are
beginning to have a pretty lively set.to;
all however, am glad to say, in a very
amicable way. Up to the present writing
there have been, believe, four rounds
without knock down. Glencliffe brought
the first blood, entering most warmly into
the contest and pushing the attack fercely
from the beginning. The Foster place,
relying upon its wind, is more on the de-
fensive, cool and calculating, waiting and
watching for favorable chance to plant a
sumner in the burr of Glenclife's ear.
Thus il stands pugilistically.
To return to the railroad hackers and
abettors: The arguments they use are
the cheapness and facility with which they
can carry passengers from the city to these
| localities. The interest which they feel in
the respective places ia occasioned entirely
| by the benefit which their roads expect to
derive from their desired location. That
is all very well in railroad view. But,
according TO my view, az a citizen having
| no private interest in any Of the railroads,
and having only that general interest in
the location of the Fair Grounds which
every citizen of Nashville ought to feel,
the railroad view is not the correct one.
The location, it occurs TO me, ought not to
be controlled by facilities for taking visitors
out of the city, but by the certainty of bring
ing them in. Owing to the fertility of soil,
density of population, agricultural and
stock advantages and advancement we must
certainly expect visitors and patrons of
the chief Central Division Fair to come
almost exclusively from the counties
through which the Louisville, Chattanooga
and Decatur roads run; therefore, | say,
that the Fair Grounds ought not to be To-
Gated out on either of those roads. First,
because all who come in on the road upon
which the grounds are located will come TO
that point, and no further. They will not
contribute a dime to the benefit of the
trade of Nashville. Again, if the location
should be made out on the Louisville road,
near the National Cemetery, would not the
counties through which the other two rail-
L. InnaEaA houa r,rot1plo nf
plant at being forced to take another rail-
road to get to the Fair Grounds after their
arrival at Nashville2 So, upon either of
the other roads the same objection would
he urged. The residents of the counties
located upon the line of either would object
olheOthertWo. Therefore, the grounds ous bt
TO be located at some suitable place near the
city. !, representing = large class, have no
choice in location, so that ii be near the
city. Then all who come to the Fair will
be compelled to come to Nashville, and in
this manner the trade and business of
Nashville will be benefited.
As a general rule what is every body's
business is nobody's. l am fearful that
such will be the result in this case, and
that thus the location will be made sub.
servient to private interest alone. The
merchants, hoteI-keepers and business men
of Nashville generally should feel and
take an interest in this matter, and not
wait until the location is made, and then |
wake up to lament their folly. Let the |
Fair Grounds be located near the city; 1t |
will then be beneficial TO the city, general |
ly, as well as to the county. Otherwise |
it will not. Let the committee consult the |
interest of the city, and not of individuals |
or particular corporations.
MERCHANT.