Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-08
NASHVILLE in 1921

f-IaNf tt-. faa.T
j NASHVILLE IN 1923.
The following letter descriptive of our
city and published in the Carthage Tenn.)
Gazette of Nov. IA, 1923, will be read with
interest:
NASHVILLE, Tenn, 1S23.-My Dear
Sir.-I brought with me letters of introduc-
ton to several gentlemen of this town and
neighbOrhOod. L had before heard that the
citizens of this place were hospitable to
strangers when properly introduced; and
was not disappointed. found those to
whom / was introduced, who We're not in
vOlved in the turmoils of business, free,
open and polite, exhibiting none of that
disgusting hdutelu, which too often accom-
panies Wealth, and which have frequently
observed in other parts of the United
States, where they have so much more po-
likeness and refinement of manners. To
wandering strangers who travel from one
part of the Union to another in search of
fortune, and who carry with them no other
recommendation than an imposing exterior,
the respectable part of this community OBJ
serve becoming reserve. 1t is much to be
regretted that this reserve towards strangers,
was not more frequently manifested; we
should not be so often taken IN by black legs
in the disguise of gentlemen; nor by the
many fictitious Generals, MMshals, Counts,
and "CdptGils of de horse" who visit these
shores, imposing upon our credulity, taking
advantage of our prediction for high
sounding titles, and enlisting our sympa-
thies by their ''taleS of roe" until they not
only wheedle us out of our money, but
often run off with our wives and daughters.
l have known of those titled gentlemen,
who have figured in our cities as counts and
Field MarShdls, after their means of cut
ting adash was exhausted, settle down into
plain hair dresseTS, BARRIERS, or dancing
masters, professors of dancing | mean, to
the great regret and modification of some
Of our high-minded gentry, who think moth
ing good or worthy of imitation, unless it
leans on royal stampS.)
. 49,
The town of Nashville, or city as it may
be called by some because q suppOse) its
police is regulated by seven ''grave and
reverend seignors" Called Mayor and six
alderman is handsomely situated upon an
elevated bluff, at the base of which the
Cumberland River rolls its waters in ''silent
majesty" It is the centre of the principal
part of the trade of that part of the State
CdllCu w ISL anu bNillS-
on the margin of large nayigable river, in
the midst of afertile country, and possessed
of three of those powerful engines OF trade,
called Banks, it possesses commercial adj
vantageS superior to any other town in the
State, and the superiority it now holds in
this respect, it will alwaySFm aintain. OF its
commerce particularly, shall speak here
after. There are number of stores, many
e, IL ;al Nth tho
auctions and manufacturers of foreign
chimes, and but scantily with the manufac-
lures of our own. Here permit me to make
one remark, our country produces IN abund-
ance almost every article Of real necessity
and many which may be rated among the
| luXurieS of life. Why then is it, that We
resort TO the manufactures and ''tOy shops"
| of Europe, for those very articles which our
own country can supply upon equal terms?
| We boast i'll all our fourth of July 0ratiOns,
and our public meetings of being free
| and independent people, and justly 50 in
| some respects, Yet, i'll others we are almost
| Us dependent upon "IHOtlIer'' England, as
when we were in a state OF colonial servi-
tude and dependence. Her manufactures
are indispensable to our comfort, we ape her
| fashions. and from the bench Of justice, her
| laws and the decisions of her courts, are
| given as the rule of our cOnduct-and l
had almost sad-the guide of our faith.
Within the corporation are upwards of
four hundred houses. of which two hun
dred are of brick, and population of
| about thirty-flve hundred souls. Notwith-
standing the cry of hard times many public
and private improvements are going
and has altogether flOurishing appearance.
Tho mill 10 ,,iIJiDuc GRO q flOI1Tf bOmSp Iail
three Banking Houses, four Churches, one
for each denomination of Presbyterian,
Methodist, Baptist, and Roman Catholic,
and a Masonic Hall. 1t is laid off with
some degree of regularity, the principal
streets crossing each other at right angles.
In the original plan it had one defect-tOO
few streets-the proprietOrs not fereseeing
its future consequence. This defect, how
ever. has in some means been remedied, by
a number of alleys which the owners of
lots have opened for the convenience of the
public, and to promote their own private
interests. Near the river is large square
containing about four acres Of bare and
naked rocks, On the Northwest and South
sides of this square are number of well
built brick houses; on the East, they all
Except one) old wooden buildings, which
some cold winters night will afford the in
habitants comfortable fire. Within the
square, but on one side, stand the Court
house, a brick building of two stories, with
cupalo and bell, which bell answers
double purpose of summoning judges, jul
rorS, ETC., in court. and warning the good
people to retire to bed. Near the Court
house is spacious Markethouse, which,
although as handsome as such buildings
usually are, contributes nothing to the
beauty of the square; in my opinion,
more suitable site might have been select
ed on the bank of the river.
The square is capable of much improve
ment. and might be so laid out as to afford
delightful promenade, which would add
much to the pleasures of the citizens. 1t
is neither inclosed or adorned with trees, at
which l was a good deal surprised, (having
heard much of the taste of the good people
of this city) until l learned one OF the
great objections to thus improving it; and
in truth a most substantial one. Know
then. that almost all the merchants and
traders, who dwell on this square, have in
Cured considerable expenses improving the
| most splendid Sign-bOdrtlS, on which their
names appear in golden capitals, which
may be read without difficulty at half II
miles distance. Now as trees planted
round the square, would intercept, by their
foliage, the distant view OF these sign
boards the aforesaid merchants and traders
object to their introduction. Thus do they
sacrifice beauty, comfort and convenience,
to the paltry vanity of having, their names
read at distance in gilt letters. Whether
this be the true reason for the unimprOved
state of the square, l say a stranger amongst
them, cannot take upon me to say, but we
often find private interests and private feel
ings, standing in the way of public i'm
prOvement. Farewell,