The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-10-07

unusual for non-residents of Austin, espe
ciaIly thel - of rival cities in the State
to charge l.. inhabitants with being brag
CARTS, and to believe that their statement,
should be .sken cam gydnO azlis when the
present condition and prosperity OF theil
city is concerned. But the fact that Aus
tin has grown continuously, rapidly and
vigorously since the war, and that no othel
city in the southwest has made such onward
strides, is sufficient grounds for some
Boosting.
All of our readers have, doubtless, from
time to time, followed our statements OF
the almost magic-like growth of the ''City
of the Hills" and yet but few, we are in
clined TO think, really appreciate what a
healthy progress it has made. Many be-
lieve that this growth is merely temporary
and Of mushroom character, produced by
extraordinary circumstances which cannot
be expected to last beyond very brief pc
rod. Yet its steady advance year by year,
and its retention of all it has gained, stamps
this opinion as erroneous. Again and again
has it been predicted that "Austin will adj
vance no farther; it has attained its growth, y
and each time the prophets have been com
PEELED to widen their estimate of the limit
to which it will grow. When the opinion
of these croakcrs is challenged, they fall
back upon the trite maxim that no large
city can exist without navigable water
a.
to large dimensions This is no doubt
general truth, and the only answer to it are
the facts of the case.
Substantial and indisputable evidences of
growth are 70 be seen on every hand. For
an explanation Of this marvellous advance
ment one must refer to the unusual health
fulness Of the locality, its charming and
picturesque environment, its central and
commanding position, inviting the trade of
a half dozen counties, and the widening
stretch of frontier which finds here its nat
ural market. Scarcely can it be apprecia-
ted by a stranger standing in the shadow of
the Capitol that nearly all the ine buildings
he sees, in whatever direction he may turn
his eyes, have been erected since the war.
But such is the case. 1t has been remarka-
BILE to observe the improvement made in the
city even during this summer, which has
been SO disastrously dull throughout the
country. During this period of universal
depression In business, Austin has made
steady advance. Nearly half million dol
lars worth of building has been undertaken
in the city since the commencement of last
January. 1t is constantly the remark of
strangers that Austin recalls to them West
ern cities by its appearance of activity and
hustle, and the evidences on all sides of
progress. 1t has become wholesale point
for large territory, and is constantly ex-
tending its trade.
The present great need of Austin is man
ufactories. The presence here of any con-
siderable number of factories would give
the place new and large impetus, which
would speedily place it in the impregnable
position that its best wishers desire it to &C.
cupy. There can be no doubt but that Aus
tin can maintain factories for the manufac-
ture of all the standard commodities needed
by the people of the Southern States. Its
location is certainly favorable to this, its in
fuence is widely extended, and it possesses
all the water power needed for such pur-
pose, while our proximity to numerous coal
beds will enable us to obtain that fuel at
such low figure as to make steam power as
cheap as water power.
Another secret of the growth of Austin
is the hearty welcome that is given to those
who makeit their home. In business inter-
course the hand of welcome is extended to
all corners. No one is at disadvantage
here because he is stranger. This has at
tracted thousands from all parts of the
South, and many from the North; some
with means, others to recruit their fortunes.
Now, as it is well known that a majority of
the best people in our land are in the latter
independent of any money aristocray, so
that those without means are not placed at
the same disadvantage here that they would
be elsewhere, nor is truly refined society
beyond their reach. This is great con-
sideration for that truly large and valuable
class of our people who, while compelled
to practice economy in their households,
and to live with an almost rigorous simple
ity, desire and can appreciate the advan-
tages and refnements of a society not
wholly based on the dollar, and not gov
erned by the absurd etiquette of that an
cient and numerous caste, the ''damphooI'
family.
,r n, o, 1ho cr,1,,S