The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-21
evening Stats gutsrnal.
ALEXANDRIA.
Hts Commercial Advantages.

From our Special Correspondent
To those who have travelled and observed
considerably, in the Middle and Southern
States, it is matter of surprise that the
city of Alexandria, in Virginia, does not
present larger commercial business--that
her population is not greater and her bor-
ders more extended. 1t should and might
be vastly greater commercial emporium;
for no other city in the State possesses
greater, if equal, advantages. Her natural
position aud resources greatly surpass
those of Baltimore, and with proper effort
and management, Alexandria should have
outstripped the o.her named city in COM
mercial development; and even Norfolk and
Yorktown both possess real advantages
that, with equal enterprise, might have
been larger cities than Baltimore.
Alexandria is considerably nearer the
ocean than Baltimore, with superior ship.
ping approach and harber, better water
for entering her harbor and wharves from
the sea. She is surrounded by and is the ship
ping point for wider range of fertile and
genial farming lands, so that all that is
lacking to speedily make Alexandra q
more commanding and extensive CONNER
cial entreDot than Baltimore is the wise and
energetic application of capital. One needs
only to look ct the map, the bays and riv-
ers, to see this fact. She lies on most fa-
vorable ground, with most accessible
approaches from every direction, and in as
healthy country as any within all the
range of the Chesapeake and Potomac tide
water. These things are eruinently worthy
the thoughtful attention of citizens at home,
and capitalists abroad, and the subject may
well command the careful examination of
the Argus eyes of the great railroad and
commercial men Of the country. ri
And the matter Of general railroad
law looms up with attractive proportions
and consequence in this connection-and it
should have potent and decisive influence
with our Legislature at once.
But this Potomac city already begins to
show more life and advancement than for
merly---she seems to be feeling the inspra-
ton OF the day; she possesses community
of worthy, honorable people now let her
ahead, helping the farming community of
the State TO flourish, and increase the amount
and variety of their products, and to les
SCii tLGiI DuIuGllo VI thAdLiOuS WullC alSU
enhancing their advantages for education
and intelligence, and by protecting them
against the ravages of dogs, the trespass
of lawless, ranging cattle, and the stu
pidity or violence of ignorance ; and,
withal, give them the freest and cheapest
railroad or other transportation facilities,
by general law that will allow capital to
build lines wherever it wishes, subject to
proper restrictions of law. Let this policy
he pursued, these measures be adopted,
and coon immigration will flock to US as
fast as is healthy, aid not Alexandra
alone, but all other well-ocated cities in the
State, will grow and command their proper
trade; but no amount Of circulars and
agencies will bring q useful and worthy
immigration here, that will be permanent,
unless the Legislature enacts just, safe and
wholesome laws, and establishes sound,
honorable financial policy.
Your correspondent recently passed O
day looking about Alexandria, and found
much to crafty and encourage hope of pres
perity. Good schools are here to feed and
cherish the mental elements; as also q
large, new beautiful market, one of the
finest in oil the country, where the physical
wants may be amply supplied. A large,
wcll-Inanaged cotton factory, with several
furniture establishments, and brass and
iron works, and many other hives Of use
full industry, including railroad machine
shops while Portner's extensive brewery
gives employment to many. Slater's fra
grant gardens and green houses are also
noticeable attraction. And what is further
creditable to this community is, that
goodly number take and read the STATE
JOURNAL, and the gentlemanly clerks at
the Postoffice aid us in its circulation.
Long life to them. @.