The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-09-22
HOME ENTERPRISES,
4 WORD TO THE WISE.

all enterprises which tend to promote
the interests of his section, and of
the people among whom be. resides,
we have always been the persistent
and faithful advocate, since it's Or
ganization, of this purely home en-
terprise, the Rapides Agricultural
Fair Association, an institution which
for the enterprise and judgment dis
played in it's management, we unhes-
itatingly declare reflects great credit
upon our Parish, as we'll as its Off
GERS. 1t has always been the cry
from time immemorial, that SO far as
regards those public enterprises, COM
monty regarded as necessities in the
economy of modern civilization, that
our Parish and people were lamenta-
bly, deficient and behind the age, if
not practically dead, To substanti
ate this, the absence of all railroad
and Geographic facilities, as we'll as
of Fairs and other institutions COM
monty regarded as necessities in
more fortunate and enterprising COM
munities, were cited as proofs. 1t
cannot be denied that the charges
contained large proportion of truth.
But new era has dawned upon our
people, and with it pressing issues,
and stripped of those elements which
once constituted our strength, we
have begun to acknowledge the ne
cessity, if we would preserve our po-
sition in the great race of life, of cal
ling to our assistance all those agen-
cies, which in more fortunate com
munities have come to be regarded
as indispensable accomplishments in
the ordinary business of life. The
advocates of the OK wagon and the
stage coach have had their day, and
in their place now, the public cry, il
no uncertain accents, calls for tele
graphs and railroads. We hail witt
great favor all evidences of such
changes in public opinion, believing
as we do that the introduction in oul
midst of such agencies is alone re
quired to open to us a career of pros
perity and affluence. 10 bring int
practical existence, however, these
desirable changes, we have, as peo
pie, more substantial duty to per
form than the mere passing one o
advocating in words their importanc,
and necessity. If we think the con
struction of railroads important ant
needed, we should not content our
selves with the simple expression o.
words of praise in their behalf, but
come forward and extend to those
who are engaged in building them al
the pecuniary and moral support il
our power. Do we want telegraphit
communication with the rest of the
world? then let US come forward in {
similar way to the support Of those
who would bring it to our doors.
The same principle of action ap
plies to all other enterprises, and es
pecially to that one, to which in the
outset of our article, we have referred
Though organized in times of great
difficulty, the Directors of this Asso,
citation, by their zeal, pluck and ener-
gy, have built up an institution
which, in all it's appointments, will
compare most favorably with any
similar one in the land. Nowhere
have we seen more complete or sat
isfactory Premium list, their grounds
are ample, the track unexcelled, the
buildings commodious and substan-
tial. And yet with all these advan-
tages in their favor, the efforts of
these enterprising gentlemen must
prove Intellectual, unlesssthey receive
the hearty encouragement and coop
Grafton of the general public. The
Importance and usefulness of such
enterprises in all agricultural commu
mites is unquestioned. Why then
should our citizens, whose chief, nay,
sole interest is agriculture, hesitate
or fail to render to this association
all the support and encouragement
that lies in their power9
We hope too, to see the expression
Of some interest on the part of the
great merchants of the metropolis Of
our State. In no section do they fine
safer or more extensive demand fol
the products which fill their ample
stores than from the Parishes which
will be largely represented at this
Fair. May we not expect then, thai
the commodious buildings which
have been erected by the Associa