The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-20

This is eminently the age OF competition,
aud the struggle for the survival or thspre-
cedenco OF the fttest IL not confined TO COM
mercial establishments and individuals
Tho same struggle extends ccities a. wei;
nor is that struggle less continuous or less
fierce because In the competition OF ciues
il lie large aggregations Of men VINO are
pitted against each other.
In country whose various resources are
in the first stages II rapid development, as
aay nov be observed In Virginia, IL Is
rather a question Of energy, enterprise ana
intelligence than OF local advantages, as to
which Of our cities. new or old, large or
small, will in the long run win in the con-
test for numerical superiority In population
or the greater amount OF accumnia'eu
wealth. Let the people OF Richmond Dear
this fact carefully in mind. Eternal COM
mercial vigilance is the price OF It's pres
ent commercial supremacy. II 1t had the
disposition, which 1t certainly has not, TO
depreciate the rate Of progress when 30
many OF the other cities OF the Common
wealth are making, il would fall into an
error which would inflict injury upon none
but its own people. A general relaxation OF
effort, indifference, suppl eness, and unJusil-
ii ible contentment with what has already
b zen accomplished, would simply be play
ing into the hands Of rivals who are pre-
pared even with smaller means Of extend
ing their trade, at their command, to en-
o,oach upon the territory now covered D!
the operations OF our merchants.
There are two important questions now
confronting the commercial Interests oil this
city-frst, as to the best method OF rttain-
ing trade which our merchants have long
lenioyed; and secondly, as to the best method
of acquiring trade in sections OF country
now occupied by other cities.
Take the second proposition. Rightly,
Richmond should at least divide the trade
of the whole Of the lower Shenandoah Val
lev with the city Of Baltimore. 1t is not
going too far to say that Richmond is fully
entitled to all the trade Of that fertile sec
ton Of country, and by the exhibition oil a
moderate degree Of energy and enterprise
can certainly secure it in part. Iii only
necessary 10 construct a railway either
from Fredericksburg or Quantico to Ma
nassas Junction to form direct communlca-
ton with Front Royal on the Shenandoah
| Valley road. The cost OF constructing such
a railway would be comparatively small,
the expense which would be entailed being
out Of all proportion to the inestimable adj
yantages which would he conferred upon
this city by the opportunity which 1t would
give TO obtain the trade OF the Valley from
Front Royal to Harper's Ferry.
As TO the retention Of trade which our
merchants now enjoy, Richmond should
! guard with jealous care against any en-
croachment upon the domain to the south
Of us with which it has so long held such
close commercial relations. very large
part Of North Carolina is locally tributary
TO this city, and by the exercise Of mod
crate degree of good sense can always be
kept so in spite of the most active competl'
ton. Such competition, however, has al
ready begun. The construction Of the
Lynchburg and Durham road has, in
Lynchburg, opened up new market for a
very important section of North Carolina,
and the completion Of the Roanoke and
Southern Will throw open to the merchants
Of Roanoke commercial field in which
Richmond has for many years occupied a
very advantageous position.
In the struggle for commercial superiority
in these special fields, with its younger and
smaller rivals, Richmond should not fall
into so serious a mistake as TO underesti'
mate their ability to diminish most appre'
Gladly the volume Of its trade in those
parts. 1t should show just as much vigil
lance and assiduity in contending with such
rivals as if they were equal to itself, both in
population and accumulated capital. In
that lies the safest course, and it is not at
all inconsistent with mutual kindness and
good will.