Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-02-20
ICOMAfUNICATEI

l am pleased to find the business men Of
our city are beginning to reallzs that ts
useless to look for assistance from abroad to
aid in establishing shoe factory. The
trouble that has overtaken all such enter
prizes, that have fallen through, is that
Alexandria has not depended enough on
home effort and home capital to establish
such industries, or upon the capacity and
ability of our own citizens to conduct such
enterprises.
There has been fearful lack ofcopilence
In ourselves, and a still greater lnce OF con-
certed action. We have been too willing TO
wait for northern energy and foreign capital
to do what We could and should Co for our
selves. Hope deferred makelh ne heart
sick" / trust that our people are so heart.
sick by reason of these long deferred hopes
Of aid from the north and else here, that
they are now willing to apply the remedy.
What is the remedy? | answer, Uoiled
effort, combination of capital, uphold aGc
strengthen the efforts Of those who, while
they have not sufficient capital. yet navethe
wilt, nerve, and energy TO put the wheels
In motion. An opportunity will be given TO
the citZ sus of Alexandria, at called meet.
ing, TO night at he rooms OF the Board
of Trade, Tor the purpose of further develop
ing the enterprise. l appeal TO tue business
and moneyed men Of Alexandria to help ill
our city out of the deep ruts of inactivity
aud dependency, and place her Gil The read
to prosperity. Do not stay away for iest
you may be asked to do impossbiIlrles. We
do not expect one man to lift weight that
would require the united strength OF d nun
Der of men, unless he holds in his hands the
lever (capital) and possesses the will 10
apply it. Perhaps we may be able TO
fad few men with capital enough
to start shoe factory, in which event 1t
would be more desirable for our city as well
as for the success of sucb an enterprise than
joint stock company Every business msn
can readily understand why this is true Yet
would not have your readers.to suppose
that joint stock company must necessarily
prove failure.
If We cannot start factory without 8
charter then by all means let US organiz9s
company, and / am sure the hoaorable
Judge OF our Corporation Court will not
withhold charter. He has the interest Of
our city at heart and will do all In bis power
to advance it. wish had the means 10
start factory without asking for assistance.
l cannot, therefore l appeal TO you, my tel
low citizens, to unite with me 10 putting the
wheels in motion.
You may not have large bank account
nor be the possessor of thousands 10 stock,
and bonds, but remember that the many
millions of capital employed In manufactu
ing enterprises in prosperous cities of other
States represent the aggregate OF individual
contributions, creating a power and iohu.
ence that are fell, for greater than boarded
wealth.
The article in the GAZETTE OF Tuesday
evening written by Mr.. Henry Wildt has
the true ring and hope there are many
men in Alexandria who can sey amen 10
the sentiment and views of Mr.. Wildt in
giving encouragement and aid to all legiti-
mate manufacturing enterprises. hope
the meeting tonight will be largely
attended, and let no man who has be aDIii-
ty and the will to help, feel that he has
been Ignored or slighted, because special
invitation has not been given him, but let
all such feelings be put aside and come to
the meeting determined to do what you can
for the cause. The interest that scue men
can manifest by their presence at a meeiipg
of this kind often encourages his fellow man
to invest In an enterprise which he may
think doubtful.
For many years our city has lsrgdi-Eed
our warehouses and wharves ers Io'enlng
down, and many of our streets lack evidence
of thrift and business activity. The ques
ton has often been asked, Why is ? Inefe
may be many causes, which l Will rot a.
tempt to answer, but l think Gao oher
remedy that will go far towards Changing
that state of things-united effort L't "s
try to hslp ourselves and the outsid- worla
will come to our assistance. That ia nu'
man nature the world over.
G. POWELL HILL.
February 90 1890.