Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-01-25

Inc large bumOer or respectable looking
men to be seen daily congregated Oh the street
corners is Indeed a painful sight. as am in-
formed that it is caused by The dulluess of
almost all branches OF industry just uo8; but
it is expected that with the opening of the
spring trade business will revive and abundant
| emnloyment be gVan to all.
| Not wi,hing to encroach too much on your
valuable space | must DOW close, promising to
let you hear from me occasionally while sojourn.
| ing liz this pleasant city. BELLE HAVEN.
To the editor of the alexandria Gazette:
Your correspondents inquiry as to whether
it would be wild idea to endeavor to have
4 navy yard, etc., established here, is very sug-
gestive.
Alexandria, as you say, presents UNUSUAL at
fractions for this object
A close proximity to the seat of government;
q port raukiog among the best on the Atlantic
coast; noble river that eau bear upon its
| bosom vessels OF the heaviest tonnage, and
communication North, South, East and West,
creating a most available centre; climate
where labor is never impeded by extremes of
| heat or cnld--the.e advantages, and many
still untold, point to Alexandria as the great
vulcan shop OF this country.
Along the line Of tie Virginia Midlaod Rail-
road, in the counties of Amherst and Nelsou,
he uuexp!ored fields OF iron ore. only waiting
to be developed. AT this time, it is sent to
Richmond Via Lynehburg aud the Caoal) and
there successfully worked iu various touudrles.
Alexandria is seyenty-hve miles nearer than
R!chuoGd TO these beds OF ore, and with u dl.
rect railroad communication. A navy yard
here would utilize this native mineral wealth,
and contribute nuch 10 the prosperity Of our
Old town.
We people of AexaDdria must bestir our.
selves TO se.ze this golden opportunity, AID be
alive, and not dead 10 our best interest. 10 the
great race for material growth, if We fail, it is
our own fault. Nature has done we'll for Us
the march OF internal improvement has done
more; We only need energy and coustaucy 10 re-
allze q successful future.
Let Us strike DOW, and if the iron is not hot,
We must make il hot by striklog!
Let u cali public meeting and appolot a
; com uluee of our promlneut cltlZans TO walt
upon the President of The United States urging
bis recon me0datoo OF this matter. HIS inter
est has juSt been evluced in special message
to Congress concerning the armament of our
deJences. and DE presses the establi> hment OF a
proving ground, as "a necessity to the country.
Let us call upon our Senators and Rrprcseu-
tatives TO push this sutject forward, specially
appealing 10 those entrusted with our lmnedl-
ate welfare.
Ii the uext Congress We will see formidable
rival in the field. Norfolk aud Portsmouth will
be represented by one OF the ablest aud most
active stateaneu IN Virginia. Mr.. Goode will
work and battle for bis constituents Taien,
combined with Industry will make their way.
But, must We wait and see others gain the
priz. that We should win2
This success depends upon 90 party lnfu'
epce it is question of public good, and an it,
!u$tratlon OF the greatest happiness principle
so ably set forth by old Jeremy Benthan. 10
De sure its local application will benefit cur
town. bur its general effects will be faT-reachlng
aod fer The greater good of the country.
Finally, when we reflect upon the thousands
Of dollars annually poured into the government
cofers by the State Of Virginia, 1.-THE tax upon
the one article Of tobacco, being 10 itsel! the
revenue of Dukedom,) and putting aside ali
higher caimS-upou the bare ground OF jus
tce aoue, the Old Donation is well entitled
20 her share Of public improvements.
Realizing thus the situation in all its bear
iugs. let u shake of the $hacke!s OF despair
or luiif-reGc: which have So long kept Us Ike
THOSE who halfway lie,
lu dea'h cold shallow ere they die,
And let Us be as
Men. who, their duties know,
But. kno,s ther rights.
AID kuow!ug, dare maintain!
!