, 1874-05-28
Rnget Sonua 3ispatth.
Public Spirit and Prosperity.

Public Spirit and Prosperity.
Nothing is moro true than that we are
the Architects of our own fortune" and
it is as fully and fairly applicable to
communities 40 to individuals, to public
IS we'll a. to private undertakings and
enterprises. It is also true that mo
great good or excellence is obtained
without great labour. And as true as
that j" eternal vigilance is the price of
liberty" SO is everlasting watchfullness
and care necessary to preserve and pro-
tect what we have accomplished and &C.
quired. In brief, to will, to work. and
to watch are the watchwords of true
public spirit; and the inevitable result
will be success and prosperity. 70 dare.
to do, and to triumph, is the crowning
glory of true manhood. Wherever
these elements of success exist, fortune
follows.
In the case of individuals the means and
process for the accomplishment of pur-
pose are more simple and less compi-
Gated than in The case of communities.
and therefore sometimes more effective.
In all communities there are drones aud
parasites who exist upon the labors Of
others, and filch from the industrious
and enterprising the fruit Of their hard
earnings. In connection with every
project for developement and improve
ment, arises the question of the manner
of treat ment or dealing with this class
Of individuals.
Something must be done with them.
In the battle of life one may learn many
useful and profitable lessons from the
book of nature that lies unfolded before
us: and perhaps no creature in the uni
verse has taught SO many and profitable
lessons of industry, economy and per-
severance as the little busy bee. First,
it is diminutive and feeble as an indi-
vidual, and exists and prospers in COM
munities only. Secondly. it has q well
regulated government, with RESPONSE
bic head; it obeys the laws of its govern
ment implicitly; and when the govern
ment is destroyed the community per-
ishes.
Thirdly, it is an inexorable law with
them to suffer no drone or parasite to
dwell in their midst, and if either per-
sists in invading the premises of this
community, the death penalty is prompt
ly and certainly inflicted.
That this is good and wholesome law
is unquestionable, and the nearer hu-
man government approximates to that
of the diminutive bee in this respect,
the nearer 1t arrives at perfection.
All human COVER nments do immitate,
and to some e1tent.approximate, toward
the perfection of the laws of the Bee
Kingdom, by the enactment oflaws pro
hibiting larceny, vagrancy, etc, under
certain prescribed penalties.
But in all well regulated communities
of human beings there is. aside from
and rising above the ordinary machine-
ry of government, tribunal possessed
of Legislative, Judicial, and executive
power. known as public opinion, that is
potent for good and cannot be wholly
or successfully resisted.
The man who can with impunity vio.
late the laws and disregard the DEGREES
Of this tribunal is either more or less
than human. There are times and oc-
casions when every drone or parasite
that is preying upon the community
should be brought before this tribunal
and prosecuted to conviction and condign
punishment. There are times in the
lives of communities as well as indivld-
uals, when their existence is threatened
and in danger. and that danger is only
averted andlife preserved by prompt and
vigorous action in sell defense.
Prudent, careful and considerate men
and women believe that he present is
such an epoch in the history of the city
Of Seattle, and all, even the reckless and
blindly confident. admit there is some
danger. rr
What are the undisputed facts? The
city Of Seattle. although possessed of
all the material advantages needed, such
as central position, fine and commod.
ious harbor, ease Of access by land and
water, well watered. etc.. is yet only a
young town of some 2, 500 inhabitants,
with only moderate means. That So
attle ought to have been and still ought
10 be the terminal point of the projected
great trans-sontinental railroad, known
as the Northern Pacific. is admitted by
all we'll informed persons not interested
in the land rings or Credit Mobiliers Of
that Company.
The fact however is that the terminus
of the main line, if not the branch, is
located at Tacoma.a . point only 20 miles
distant from Seattle. and not only that.
but the road Is actually built and in
operation from the Columbia river to
that point. True it is, that this is a most
unnatural and unsuitable place for such
terminus, with an exposed harbor too
dsep for anchorage. and accessible only
with grade Of 116 feet to the mile for
several miles. and that the site Of the
would-be future city is from 800 to 400ft.
above the bay, and rising abruptly from
the water nearly 200 feet
It is also true that the road was run
in there in financial storm and as .
necessity; and further that the storm is
not over yet