The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-02
What we Want

What we "du~
-r,;s c,tv wants some things which she
,,cbt easily to secure, and some othcrS
which arc not so readily obtained. Aoa'nA
tho former is the concert or cooperation o.
,ho citizens. and amongst the latter Is q
HERO.
WHY NAV not our citizens meet and con
fer together, aud deliberate upon the inter
ests OF the city, which are their INTERESTS
as we'll rs the pubiic'sP There are grea'
works to be done here, n are we I" VAN
until they press directly upon us, dema''o'
inc immediate achievement when we "te
not ready, and when, for not ncins le"us,
serious injury may be inflicted upoh US
That would be to copy the example "somc OF
our GOOD ncoplc who needed rot the warning
about the rapid rise in the river above, AND
psid for their incredulity by heavy losses
II is time to arouse ourselves from lethargy!
and indifference. and elevate ourselves as
raridly A. We may to the height Of the ar.
cur,cnt of the grand future of Richmond
II We do not. our delinquency will curta'I
considerably the fair proportions Of this
city. II is by consultation and harmonious
exertion that VIC may not only determine
what ought to be. done, but summcn UT
the courage and consistency to do it.
That our people are industrious and reso'
lutte, no man who knows anything OF them
will deny. They are the most devoted
people to their own callings we have ever
known; but they do not consult and conicl
with one another about the public welfare
and for the want of consultation mi com
bination, rival interests, which were sup
ported by combination and intrigue, have
always placed Richmond to disadvantage,
and without some change in the course OIL
our people, always will. This unlon AND
harmony certainly can be had, and our
people owe it to themselves and the public
welfare, by every consideration of sell
interest, duty, and patriotism, to establish
the most cordial and faithful understanding
amongst themselves with reference to the
welfare of their city.
TO want a HERO is no common want, In
deed; but surely a city Of such renown fol
men Of talents ought to be able to supply
such a want. We have been unfortunate
in the turn and aspiration of talent and
genius growing ont Of the devotion to party
politics. The energy and mental force OF
smart men, so far as their public action is
concerned, have been displayed only during
election campaigns. For those occasions
they eXerted themselves with something
like devotion ; but the stimulus to action
has been far more personal and partisan
than patriotic /; far more personal than
public good. But this sort of activity is
only aroused by the campaigns, and when
they are over and the polls are closed, it re-
lapses into perfect Incidence.
or course no man can become q hero in
leading great measures for practical good
for the promotion Of ly public
works-for projecting those works and ac-
complishing them by force of intellect and
indoml table energy-whose public life and
experience are limited TO the party warfare
OF the day. Therefore, with all the excel
lent material Of the city. We have not a
HERO. We have not q railroad president
except of the short twcnty-two-mile road
between this city and Petersburg, and we
have no control over any railroad. Rich
mond, the largest city in the State, has no
railroad that she can control-none that is
subordinate to her interests. The fact is
without parallel.
Now 1t is time these things were changed.
The time demands it. Do the people of
Richmond appreciate the city they live in
Do they know the extraordinary blessings
bestowed upon them by nature: Let lis
commend to them to rise early some clear
morning and repair to CANDLES Hill, and
there, as the sui begins to tip with golden
light the spires and cupolas Of the city,
look upon the panorama presented, while
their ears are saluted by the busy hum OF
industry and the click and clatter of the
iron mills. If those who enjoy these sights
and sounds are not impressed by them, We
do not understand their effects. Witt
these things in view, and a recollection 0
the tendencies which are now directed to
wards the growth and power of this city
we cannot see how any man can fail to b
cheered and treasured. He will take Il re
newed determination to stand by Richmon,
and share its bright success.