The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-10
R,ichn ond Interests.

The following communication Is alto.
gcther practical and SO much to the point
just now that we give it prominent posi-
ton, and commend it to merchants, manu-
facturcrs. and railroad officials
RIcHuoND.-rt Is a very pleasant thing to
anticipate and write about the future great
ness of Richmond and while it will be
more pleasant to the individual to hasten
that time by earnest efforts. it will be quite
Il laborious work if we shall begin it in the
right spirit and in the right way. To COM
mence in the wrong way, and to trust to
inadequate means. will prevent us IF ON at
tanning anything hike the position all Of Us
are pleased to regard as our proper place
among commercial communities.
Ten years will suffice to treble our p opu-
lation. wealth, and power if we shall begin
to work now. Let us give our readers an
idea of how this must be done.
We must never let q merchant and con-
sumner from the South 60 beyond US to buy
such articles as we make here. There is
one way only to prevent it. The net cost
of article delivered at the merchants or
consumers door must he less for Richmond
wares than for any other. The manufac-
turcr. the purchaser, and the railway Off
Ger have it in their power to throw the
trade of the South in favor of Richmond rs
a manufacturing city. The purchaser will
always furnish information Of net costs of
goods from other cities, and the Richmond
manufacturer and railway officer can, in
almost oil cases, so arrange prices and rates
rs to force dealers to come here in self-de-
fence tor their manufactures. This is quite
a simple process; hut its very simplicity
shows its practical worth. lift were other
frx-t 70 md
will prevent the continual draft upon
northern factories from our markets. and
southern railroads would at once turn their
attention to securing Richmond traffic,
and every decrease Of rates by opposing
lines to get our treights would have the
effect to extend our trade with the distant
South. But the system must have a begln-
njn2, must be felt in Norfolk, Petersburg,
Danville, Lynchburg, and intermediate
points before it reaches Raleigh, Columbia,
Charleston. Macon, Knoxville, and all
points South and West.
There is great objection to forcing
trade" as it is termed, by refined business
men who have more retinement( than com
mon sense; but it is Richmond and N1r-
.inia who have cause to complain OF this
kind of force, for the trade of her own peo-
nle has been "forced" to New York, Phil
adelphia, and Baltimore. and this forcing"
has gone so far that our own wares are sent
north by our manufacturers, having no
market here, and are bought there and
brought thence by our own merchants.
The manufacturer and transportation COM
pany must both make q conceSSion for their
mutual benefit, and see to it that the net
cost of Richmond goods, delivered in Nor
folk, Petersburg, and any other point near
er Richmond than they are TO the northern
cities, shall he less than the net cost Of sim.
liar goods from any more distant city. Here
is the whole secret Of success in the race for
progress. .t ...<u9
In few months Richmond will be over
flowed with the grain, bacon, pork, lard,
&C., of the West. If we do not force the
consumers to come here for their supplies,
they will be transferred to steamers at Rich
mond, or below Richmond, and carried to
the best market within reach but il we,
shall have the consumer here, waiting to
purchase and forward to point of coiSunap-
ton, there will be no necessity for road
from Richmond to the deep-seu. Let us he
ready for this event. -.-...
There is 4 continual talking and writing
about progress and development, but there
is IN immediate necessity for immediate ac-
ton, and to-day the cornerstone Of great
future may be laid. One hero is not enough
for our city. Every man who works is u
hero, X