Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-07-05

dence, in Shenandoah county. at the advanced
age of eighty -nine years.
Among the list of graduates in the schools
of Latin and Pure Mathematics at the Unlver-
sity of Virginia, we find the name OF Mr. Rich
ard H rebbs, of Leesburg.
At the late commencement of William "
Mary College, j. Ran. Tucker, was made and
L. L. D.
We hear that recently there have been re-
freshiug rains, in different quarters OF the
State.
A Grant and Wilson Ratification meeting
was held at HarrSonburg last Saturday.
Letter from Wilmington. Del.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
WILMINGTON, DEL, July IL have often
heard the reason given by our citizens Tor the
lack of business in our good old town, that we
were too near Baltimore, and 1t was useless to
attempt to compete with Baltimore lor the
trade west of u. and that legitlmately belonged
| to Alexandria, | have, myself, never agreed
with those who have thus argued and will
never admit that a citizen Of Alexandria cannot
buy goods as cheap for the money as citizen
of Baltimore, or auy other place; and II we Can
make the purchase OF goods to be sold as low,
why not be able to sell them as low? also
contend that We can afford to pay as good prices
for the products of ourStatc as other places. We
have the same outlets to distribute them, aud
the same trade to make sale to. We in fact
| should be able to more than compete. We are
| 4G miles nearer to the trade thus saving time
and freight Our rents, labor, and expenses of
living are very much less, and when see other
places prosperous and going up much nearer
larger cities than Baltimore, with not so great
advantages as Alexandria, am better convin-
ced that my reasons and arguments are good.
| For instance New England is full OF growing
and prosperous inland towns all around Boston.
The same may be said of New York, Brooklyn,
Jersey City, Newark, are all large cities, and are
still growing rapidly, and Wilmington, the city
I am now writing from, situated on the through
mail line North and South, las Alexandria isl
| with Philadelphia only IS miles distant, on one
side, and Baltimore 20 miles on the other; with
much greater facilities for reaching those cities;
trains running almost every hour, and commu
tation tickets at very low rates, offering every
iuduccmcnt for the trade Of Wilmington to deal
in Que of these two large cities. Notwithstand-
ing this, Wilmington has population OF 49,
900, and is still growing. Now let us look at
the history Of Wilmington, the past and pres
ent and compare it with our own town. vii
mngton, although a young city, is one OF the
Oldest towns in the United States. Whining
ton was settled by company of Swedcs in 1851,
and is situated on the Christiana River, then
called by the Indians Suspecough, aud The set
temeut was called Hupohaccan. a regular
town was not laid out uutll 1871, when the site
came inlo the possession of Thos. Willing, who
laid out the city on the plan Of PHILADELPHIA
and the name was then changed from the In
dian name Hopohaccan to that of Wilmington
in honor of its founder. Wilmington was char
tered by George the IL. in 1889. 1t then con-
tanned 100 houses and population of 600.
During this year the foundation Of ship-buid
ing was laid, which continued to grow, and has
been one of the chief supports Of the city to
this day. In 1882 it was chartered as city
with population then of only 1000. This was
the beginning of new era Of prosperity, audit
made rapid growth ln 1887, the first railroad
was built from Philadel pha tc Baltimore, which
placed Wilmington on the line. This was for
many years the only road to the city. A few
years ago the Delaware railroad was complet
ed On these two roads, which are the only
two passing through the city, Whining
ton depends for the outlets and support of
her manufactures, the main spring to her
growth and prosperity, the grand stream OF
wealth and population, as they furnish cheap
and rapid transportation for the products and
raw material. With the increase Of manufac.
lures, the just pride Of her citizens Wilmington
has increased from the period of their intro
duction. In about 30 years she has grown
beautifully situated on a high eminence that
commands wide extent of country, and fine
view Of the Delaware River in the distance,
and Of the Christiana and Brandywine Rivers
that flow gently by her side, (neither as wide
as our Hunting Creek and to which there is
gradual descent from the heights of the city
The streets are generally very narrow and like
our own town with plenty of space to build
upon aud expand. They have made the same
mistake and have many narrow and contracted
houses crowded into blocks on narrow lots
There is nothing in my opinion adds more to
the appearance of city than good large lots
for dwellings, with handsome gardens and fine
shade trees, giving ventilation and an air of
comfort and happiness at small expense; aud
unlike all new Cities there isuot public square
or park in the place, and but one or two public
buildings that do credit to the city. What
great comfort would few public squares, well
shaded with beautiful trees and lawns, and a
park OF 100 acres, be to the large class of me
chanics aud working population Of the city.
have seen the value to other cities, and how it
has been enjoyed by all classes, especially by
those who are not able to leave the city during
the hot months of summer for the sea shore or
country homes. If this was done, believe it
would increase the future of Wilmington more
than any other enterprise that could be started
The most important and leading manufactures
are carriage making, ship building, iron, mo.
rocco and paper making. For all OF the above
We are better situated, and | am sure can more
than compete. V1RGINIAN.
The employers of New York seem to be or
ganizing a counter movement against the |
STRIKERS" The Employers Central Execu-
tive Committee are about to send circulars to
the leading manufacturers Of the country ask
ing them to unite in pledge to employ only
those who are WILLING 10 work ten hour; and |