Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1871-01-28
A A FURNACE.

Wepublished, last week, an inter
esting communication on the subject
If building a Blast Furnace, in or
near town. So far as we have been
able to arrive Mt public opinion, the
proposition is highly approved, and
we have no doubt that by a judlcious
effort, on the part Of those, best suit
ed to the purpose, the stock san be
raised and the enterprise put through.
Such an establishment, apart from
its own Importance, will prove valu-
able rs tie initiatory point from
which many kindred enterprises will
take their start, each ~favoriny the
establishment of Others. We can
point to localities possessing, in the
beginning, far less wealth than this,
that are now centers of immense
trade, giving employment to a great
number Of laborers and prosperity to
a large scope Of country. What we
want here, Is pioneer establishment
which, by its success, will give conf
dence to capital, stimulate latent
energy and invite skill In the various
mechanical pursuits that build up
cities and enrich farmers by supply
ing a home market.
+ SO long as we are dependent upon
another people for everything that
enters into our daily Use and CON
sumption, we shall know nothing Of
real prosperity nor enjoy that indie
pendence which Is the richest reward
Of well directed energy. We own
mines Of wealth, but foolislily let
strangers work them, and instead Of
being the richest people on earth, rs
we may easily become, we are the
poor, down-trodden serfs Of a far less
gifted people, who envy u neglect
ed advantages and despise us for u
folly In not realizing the wealth, the
sources of which nature has lavished
upon Us. Exhaustlcss deposits of
iron-equal to any in the world-lie
right Mt ~ door, and have done so,
perhaps, cver since the Creator spoke
matter into existence, and Clarks-
vile, with all its capital and advan-
tages of location, is just now agita-
ting u scheme by which some Of that
ore may be turned into money. And
whilst its citizens are discussing the
merits of the scheme, strangers are
digging the ore and shipping it to
di tant furnaces to he worked into
the pure metal. This fact speaks vol.
umes in favor Of the richness of the
ore and Of the poverty-in enterprise
of the people who idly and COM
pfacently look on whilst this harvest
of wealth Is being re,ped by another
section, where Enterprises not mani
fe ted in mere talk.
We look, however, for some sub
stantial result to follow the suggest
ion Of the scheme under considera-
ton, because we have faith In the
earncstncss and energy of the men
with whom it originated. They see,
clearly, the necessity for active ex-
ertion and we believe the confidence
reposed in their sound Judgment will
bring to their scheme the sympathy
and material aid Of many who stand
aloof, generally, from such enter
prises.
Since the foregoing was written,
we are pleased to learn, that Il meet
ing, To consider this subject, was held
ut the Northern Bank on Monday
last The meeting was presided over
by Col. NJ. G.. Gholson, and Capt. j.
j. Crusman acted rs Secretary, The
subject was discussed with an earnest
ness that indicates II determination
TO succeed and, ~ Il preliminary to
success "a subscription was raised fbr
the purpose of fairly testing both the
coal aud ore upon which the enter
prise is prpdicated. Our best citizens
took part in the meeting-which fact
strengthens our hope into conviction
that the good work will he c
plished.
THEY who 50 p~ersistently cry out
against disturbing the repose Of dead
issues, may he likened To IA man who
having diverged from the beaten
trnck. mud finding himself nnnn tho