Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-10-24
PUBLIC SPIRIT WANTING FOR SOME
CAUSE.

~
No amount of business or enter
prise will tend to the development
of a town, without manufacturing OF
some kind that gives employment
to labor. Martinsburg has every
facility for works of most any kind;
and nearly every attempt hitherto
made has been a failure. Why will
not the people inquire into the cause 7
They complain of the want Of en-
terprise, blame everybody and every
thing, but the real cause. No one
is more interested in public enter
prises than we are, and no one can
give them a heartier support, but
before we do that there must he
some evidence of public spirit in
those who are at the head of them.
There are five hundred men i'm town
who could in some way encourage
any promising enterprise. There
are two hundred men in town who
could give it material aid; there are
twenty-five men,-bank presidents,
officers of some institution, asso-
citation or another, who have made
their lives a success and all that
they have been connected with.
Certainly, these men could give any
public enterprise a vigorous push.
Do thevf Not a man! Why p
Because they have been disguised
and discouraged for years BY a. few
local bosses who were bent on ruling
everything for the interest of a few.
We are speaking of men in their
public capacity, and disclaim any
intention of referring to personal,
private Or individual affairs. This
sentiment Of opposition to certain
men and their public actions is out
spoken By the people, but not by the
class of public men we are speaking
of; they are too prudent and court
eous for that, but 1t makes itself I'M
derstood when the occasion demands,
by their declination to come in con-
tact with men who are stepped in
political intriguery and personal
discussions, and who vent their NAL
Ice and enmlty against those who
refuse to be their plant tools in pub
lie affairs, by blackguardism and cal
animation through the press which
they control. In politics and in
public affairs, certain men have long
posed dis leaders, without possessing
a spark of public spirit or a care for
the welfare of the people, just so
they could carry on high and be
recognized above ordinary distinc-
In politics these men have
been hanging on as much as posi-
BILE to each party, and while hood
glnking the people by their actions,
hey had a watchful eye to their
'wn interests in everything. The
7ery people who we're thus keeping
hem up, were surprised at their
success and wondered how they at
aimed it. The people as citizens
md voters are carried away by this
deception and blinded to their own
interest and the public welfare.
There are others again so weak and
awning, so deluded by a little
show" of greatness, and honor and
position, that they would sacrifice
their souls to gain it; too dumb to
see and know that the greatness
which bestows a smile or pat on the
back, laughs at their folly and ri
dicules their presumption, after hav-
ing used them to gain their purpose.
There is not enough of public
spirit manifested by a few who push
themselves in to run everything;
.llberallty, generosity and harmony
are wanting, and instead we see a
struggle for self-interest and self
advancement that keeps the really
public-spirited portion of our people
from taking any part in public en-
terprises so conducted. This narrow
and selfish spirit of self-interest is
driving our youth away into other
towns and States. They see they
have no earthly chance here. If
they fight their way to the front,
the spite and jealousy of some greedy
4" crusher" will beat them back and
try to keep them down. Our peo-
pie should think of these things, aud
public sentiment should lay the
blame where it belongs.