Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-05-13
Speftasor.
Shall we Move Forward.

Shall we Move Forward.
"There is evidently spirit of enterprise
abroad among our people. There is no
small amount of unemployed capital IN our
city which is seeking investment. Vari-
GUS improvements have been the subject OF
discussion.
The above is an extract from communi-
cation which appeared in the SP EcTAToR
the goth of April. Following it, the writer
proceeded to discuss the merits Of two OBJ
jects which, if undertaken in the spirit of
enterprise worthy of this city in its rela-
tons to the public and general progressive
interests, would in large measure attract
additional income to it, and give new
and more pleasant phase to its present and
future prosperity. Continuing, the writer
says
GAIL the signs Of the times indicate that
public opinion is moving in the proper di-
rection. Thoughtful men see that new en-
terprises must be set on foot to maintain
the prosperity and progress of our little
mountain city"
A solid truth emphatically uttered and
which closes the argument to any who may
doubt.
The conclusions enunciated by our cor
respondent in relation to the projects he
had under consideration, find a still wider
and equally forcibe application in the prog
ress which the city should make, if its
growth and prosperity are to be assured in
fha oio1i into
ests and transactions in trade sustained by
our tributary agricultural sections of coun-
try. The following extract from the same
article is full of instruction-indeed it is wis
dom, and should lead to conference and COM
plrison of views, mutually interchanged,
between those who have unemployed CAPT.
tai and those who are skilled in industrial
pursuits =
$40 do this will require combination of
capital with skilled labor and experience.
Possibly no one person may possess both to
an adequate extent. There is plenty of CAPT.
tai awaiting investment when tbs promise
of fair return is presented. So also there
are doubtless many who possess the neces
sary skill and experience, who are denied
the opportunity Of displaying them for the
want of the necessary capital to provide the
necessary outfit Here is "a case for the APP
plicsstion of the principle of cooperation
Let capital associate itself with skilled la
bor.'
Capital and skilled labor; what power
for good when cooperative These two
elements in the social fabric, when frater-
nally united, can accomplish wonderful re-
suits for the general prosperity. If chaos
existed, order would spring forth from their
harmonious association. What would be
the splendid results if called to exercise
their legitimate functions in this city, where
the highest intellectual, conserva tive, and
profitable direction would be given in broad
scop, on solid basis ?? Solid. because we
are assured home capital is available; and,
prosperous, because native labor and skill
will fiud needed employment with every
incentive for their highest aims, and ex
panding, as industries would, attract many
representing capital and skill, and expert
ence and enterprise from abroad, who would
domici with us, and with our strength and
our growth, become firmly united.
The times appear to be propitious for
concerted movement. To commence by
mutual conference, would be to do that by
which other communities, particularly in
the Southern States, are now achieving
wonderful progress. We have all the re-
sources in raw materials, capital, skilled
labor, location, and transportation, for the
establishment of manufacturing industries,
and why wait longer to give enterprise its
rightful scope? Though commenc ,ments
BE- small, time will prove that the safest
policy. Growing prosperity, slo " but sure,
is more hopeful augury of future success
than brilliant schemes, which too often fail
because their base has not been well
grounded.
We have said that the time is at hand for
concerted action. The necessary capital l.
here for prsper investm mt, and so there is,
ia existence, al ass ,ci ltion of the business
men Of this city which is well qualified to
confer, to advise, and to open the way by
which judicious pr gress can be Inaugural
ted. The Merchants and Manufacturers
Association of Stauntcn is an organization
that is ende.v oring to promote all depart
ments of business pursuits, and to build NJ,
trade and manufacturing enterprises. 10
Lang cities, there are many org ariz stians
the chief of which is a Chamber OF Com
merce, all giving tone and life to such cities,
IN connection with their trade relations
throughout tie interior country. Our or
ganizati0n embrace, all in one ass ociation,
and is now equip ed for it's work Its
membership takes in neir'y all who are
conducting business il this city, and is
growi' g monthly in numbers with the pros
pect that at an early day, but few, if any, OF
our citizens engaged in general trade and
industrial pursuits, will be without its coun-
sels and deliberations. 1t has its Standing
Committees on Commerce, Manufactures,
Arbitration, Statistics, &C., taking cogni-
zance of every matter which affects OF
which can be brought to bear upon the
progress and development Of the city and
its interior country. l: is only three months
old, and yet it has made some progress;
yet had it only employed the sort time
which has interviewed since its organization
in getting ready fer work, that much sue
cess would be sufficiently gratifying.
Here, then, is an institution which is of,
and for. the city and its tributary country,
prepared, within the scope and objects OF
such organizations, to promote every bust
ness interest in them. No sooner would
publication be made of such conference
for progress as suggested, than it would be
taken up and given out all through the
country by means of the trade journals
which are very watchful and ready 20 an
nounce every movement of the kind. We
can point to many instances, in which, by
such means, men and capital, hitherto stran-
gers to certain localities, were ATTRACTED
thither, and became identified with the new
enterp ises of such localities.