The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-04-07
For he Democratic advocate.
The New Railroad.

templated Railroad engaged in soliciting sub
seriptious and securing the right. of.way? If
not, they do not comprehend how vitality i'm
portant the construction Of this work is to the
country through which il may pass, Motives
Of philanthropy and humanity should not be
dsregarded in considering this all important
subject. This is question on which, though
II demands attention, we would speak with
delcacy. II is not to be disguised, nor can
it be successfully contrOyerted, that degree
and extent Of poverty and deslitution exists
among portion Of the community ON either
route, and among certain class of people,
almost unknown in the manufacturing dis
tricts Of the enterprising North. Boys aud
girls, by dozens, destitute both of employ
ment and the means of education, grow up
to ignorance and poverty, and, too many of
them, to vice and crime. This picture is no
exaggeration; it is strictly true in all its de-
tails We have no disposition to reproach
the wealthy for the existence Of such a state
Of things. We are well aware that it is the
result OF circumstances which seem in u great
measure to be unavoidable. But we cannot
resist the conviction that when fitting OPP
portunity presents itselfto the wealthy men
of Westminster, and along the Falls, to OBJ
yiate those evils, at least in u degree, and
that even in way to benefit themselves, they
can hardly be held gailtless in case OF refusal
or neglect to apply the remedy when offered.
The water power along some portions OF this
route in one direction, cannot be excelled,
and business could be established to benefit
all, both the proprietor and laborer.
We know from personal knowledge and
observation, that the people, male and female,
are glad to avail themselves OF individual eff
ts,rHa tg, A.
any honorable employment Let the capital
lists build manufacturing establishments, and
this class of persons will make application in
numbers much beyond the demand for labor,
and when admitted there, they will soon as.
sumo the industrious habits and decency in
dress and manners of the operatives in the
Northern factories. A demand for labor in
such establishments is all that is necessary to
raise this class from want and beggary, and
too frequently, moral degradation, to state
OF comfort, comparative independence, and
moral and social responsibility. Besides
this, thousands of such would naturally flock
together as residents in manufacturing vii.
lagos which would everywhere spring up,
where with very little trouble and expense,
they might receive a common.school educa
ton instead of growing up in profound igno.
rance. We would, therefore, appeal to the
rich men Of Westminster, Manchester, Hamp.
stead, and along the Falls, Dover and other
places, who are rolling in fairness and mae
nvity, as well as to every other capitalist.
Let your attachment to your own interests
and the interests of the community, united
with love for your species, combine to stimu
late you TO enter, with resolution, this wide
field of enterprise, and TO cultivate it with the
full determination not to be outdone. If
funds are needed and not in hand, withdraw
money you have unwarily invested in foreign
stocks, and IN the enterprises of other States
and the improvements of other cities and
places, and embark it in home projects, where
ITS advantages and effects may be benehcialy
ielt within the home circle, within the bord
ers OF your own country, and you will fad
that the investment will exert powerful in.
huence upon the prosperity and advancement
OF your community, and future generations
Will celebrate the era you will have thus in
augnrated as the most important in the hsto
ry OF your town or county, and each will teach
the succeeding one to commemorate your
names in connection with this significant
epoch, until grateful people shall cease 70
honor and revere the memories of the bene.
factors Of the human race.
What shall be done to bring forth the spring
tides OF Improvement? Can the rich men be
induced TO turn their attention to the deyel
opment OF the resources and to the wants of
the people These things, sufficiently recog.
nlzed aud fully acted upon, will triumph over
every obstacle and the population become
fitted for growth and atiluence.
There can be no doubt that the future of
Westminster affords ground for serioas med.
ltation. Surely there is no more inviting spot
than the region Of which Westminster IS the
heart and centre. Located in almost the
central portion Of Maryland, and in the heart
OF region possessed of such vast and varied
resources, 1t has almost unrivaled availability
Tor thrift and growth, and the capacity to be.
come an Important contributor Of both min.
eral and agricultural products to the seaboard
markets. The first step to be taken in open.
ing up this new field of enterprise and indus
try, will be TO lay down iron rails from the
Chestnut Hill Ore Banks across the rich val
lies and to the gorges, aud deyelope the
boundless wealth that slumbers therein. This
being done, no doubt the beautiful. fertile and
healthy country around this venerable city.
will attract population and capital from dis.
lance, and the excellent society and admira.
Bile educational facilities will exert a poteat
influence; but these it will be found alone.
are not sufficient to make great city. The
avenues of trade, travel aud commerce. ms
has been limited before, by liberal enterprise
must be opened, and all appliances of manu-.
features must be brought into play.
And what field for manufactures have
they in Westminster, if they secure the nee
essary railroad connections; and the same
down the Falls, at Trenton, Dover and Worth.
iQgtou Valley. Develope your copper, iron,
lime, and erect your cotton and wooden, pa
per, tobacco, nail, boot and shoe factories,
wherever you please, and with cheapness OF
living and labor which can easily be CONTROL
ed, where will capitol pay more handsome
returns than in the places named. Can the
capital Of the RICH MEN be more productivity
employed, and yet who in these places seem
to be ready for the aep era to which the very
condition Of things invites them? Each thou.
sand dollars invested in a factory will induce
and perhaps support several families, who
will buy your provisions aud rent your tene.
ments
Whlie You remain comparatively inactive,
they are at work for an extension north Of
this contemplated road to the coal and lum.
Der regions for new trade, and prosperity.
is contributing with liberal hand to every
feasible scheme; warehouses and dwellings
are going up in Abbottstown and East Berlin,
and population is Aockiug in from every d.
rection. Grant that these places have natu.
raj advantages; but what have these done for
her in comparison with intelligent, active and
ceaseless enterprise? And we would ask
with due Difference to these places, are their
natural advantages to be compared with those
of Westminster and other surroundings, that
sit in their calm majesty, within almost
stone throw of the sea. board, and almost ad
jacent in this age of railroads, to the com.
mercial emporium of Maryland and the Ma.
tional Capital? And shall you in westmin.
ster, or any of the other places named, sit
down and weep over your mistakes and losses
when too late, and see your population and
wealth depart; or like men resolutely seize
upon the means within your reach, and win
supremacy, because you have deserved il +?
There is no royal road to wealth and prosper.
ity in these iron days; it comes from hard
blows and ceaseless struggle. We should
like to see Manchester have a railroad. for
she has done much for the Parkton and Man
chester road, and her enterprising and kind
citizens deserve one, and this we consider the
last effort for either ofthe places named. Then
let us say TO all, that it will be vain to call
upon Hercules for help whilst your own broad
shoulders are in repose. The creed which
other places practiced should be yours