Wichita eagle., 1889-09-06
WICHITA AND KANSAS CITY.

! To the Editor OF the Eagle.
The struggle is not new one: it is
old. But it will soon be final. There
was time when Wichita had not the
strength to answer her calumniator of
the Sni Hills; she was young and had
all the to difficulties of young cities
to battle with. Indeed, she had more,
for what Wichita does, she does thor
oughly, and to do a thing well implies
far more energy and toll than to do a
thing loosely. During these fights of
her earlier days, she was basely treated
! in many ways, but never more basely
than by the ISLANDERS of Kansas City.
Yet the time is coming when Wichita
shall stand VIGOROUSLY on the breast of
the city who has so ungenerously abused
her at the critical moments of her hard
won fights. Then, she was weak. Now
she has the strength to answer, an an
swer that is backed up by the steam
whistles of dozens and dozens of manu-
factories, by the shrieks of numerous
engines, by the enterprising and increas-
ing roar of her streets, by the rustling
of her lofty trees, by the soft
ripping of the Arkansas river whose
woods are not profaned by ugly brick
masses, by the noble language of her
numerous spires and towers, and by the
thunder of forty thousand enthusiastic
voices. To the one who insults her. we
shall say: "You do not understand us. 5"
To the one VINO calls her hunting
ground for quails, we shall say: "You
are Dense" If. during the short time the
men of Wichita have built up princely
city whose brow wears the laurel of
beauty if not yet of greatness, do you
imagine that they will change their
minds and convert her into sinking
mud hole We do not deign to point
out your lie. Our city will ever speak
for us to all those who from the nleanest
jealousy, have not the candor to say that
this is the city Of the future, the city of
the world in loneliness.
But Wichita rests on something firmer
than the good books of Kansas City.
There is here an energy that will not
turn round the hill, but overtop it. For
OR city nothing is impossible. 1t is rea-
sonable to suppose that the grand army
Of workers who have carried her up to
the mountain peak of victory, where she
now stands. encouraged by their stu
pendous efforts, will work still harder
until the bright day will come when the
people of America and Europe shall gaze
at her as star. Do not merely tell us
that triumphant Wichita is the first
manufacturing and commercial metrop-
oils of Kansas: YOU deprive her of half
her glory. Wichita is also AN aesthetic
city. city of architectural loneliness, of
fountains and gardens. These endless
avenues deceive the visitor, who imag-
ines FARMLAND. sort OF infinite park.
Out of the region of noble blocks tower
ing against our bright blue skies, out OF the
region Of enterprise, courage and daunt-
less perseverance circular birds eve
view unfoldS beauty Of Fairyland City
is glorious indeed. Who can compete
with the enterprise of our homes: Who
can display such exquisite gardens and
groves.-these centres of everything that
reloices and biesses the heart of man.
These pa aces take us off our feet. These
trees Join hand in hand over our roads
TO make festal arch for our heroes for
ever
Wichita does not envy Kansas City or
any other town. She is above envy
She does not seek to be hostile TO the IN
terests Of any city. But she will stand
neither malice nor SANDER. There is
little fear. 1t is sure. that people will be
misled into relieving that she is & hunt
ing-ground for quails: but it is high
time TO express clearly ard forcibly
that between Kansas City and Wichita.
and Wichita and any other town
in Kansas, there IS no COM
parison. Our grandeur is establishes
our greatness is vet to come. Our gran
deur consists in city without bieaIish
and without stain: our greatness is
prophesied in every minute and carried
upon the winged messengers Of millions
OF echoes Let it be understood from
henceforth that Wichita does not want
the advice OF other towns, but she Is
unique in her own majesty and intrinsic
loveliness; she is unique in the generous
hearted and industrious spirit of her IN
hahisants: she shall rule the world In
many things The whole universe will
learn 70 speak Of her; .he moon win in
qUlre OF her.
To the ierwaTd-aiming spirit nothing