The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-07-24
THURSDAY, JULY "a, 1890.
LET Us HAVE MORE LOCAL PRIDE.

LET Us HAVE MORE LOCAL PRIDE
Now that the figures Of our locaI
census takers have been made public
and the result has been SO gratifying
we want 10 take courage and go for
ward with renewed energy and greater
determination to make even a better
showing at the completion of the cen
sus of 1000. During the last decade
we have increased our population very
satisfactorily, and have seen our indus
trial enterprises very largely developed
At present it is almost impossible to
rent a dwelling house of any preten-
sions desirably located and within
easy access to the business part OF
town. This fact demonstrates more
forcibly than any words we might use,
the material progress our town has
made. Let us unite now in the eiful t
to push every opportunity for improve
ment and we may be sure of not only
" holding our own,' but of continuing
to far outstrip our neighbors as We have
done in recent years. We possess a
location favorable to all kinds of manu-
featuring. Our shipping facilities are
excellent, and our mechanics are COM
posed OF the best elements of American
citizenship. Strikes and disturbances
are unknown among them for they are
temperate and full of enterprise. Many
of them own their homes and are rap
idly arriving at the condition known as
{" comfortably situated"
The town has grown in population,
doubling itself in the last five years,
while its manufacturing enterprises and
industries of all kinds have been great
ly increased. We not only have more
people but we have more means Of
support for them. Thus it will be seen
that circumstances clearly indicate an
era of prosperity in store for Hender
son. The GOLD LEAF rejoiCes in this
state of affairs and desires to add its
help in furthering the accomplishment
OF that end. With this view of the
case, we have been comparing our
town with lis neighbors to see if we
could derive any assistance applicable
to our purpose. We congratulate our
fellow citizens upon the favorable COM
parison we have made. We have
found much of which to be proud and
we are proud of our many marks of
superiority. Yet we find we are IL
mentally deficient in some things in
which they are strong
We are lacking in that spirit of har-
mony, that getting together and con-
cert of action that should characterize
the citizens of a truly progressive and
prosperous town. 1t is not an agreeable
thing to say this and such an admis-
sion publicly made is done in a spirit
of kindness and with the hope that it
may DO good. That there is too much
of factional feeling in certain quarters
We all know But, gentlemen, this
sort of thing will not do. Henderson
has already suffered greatly from it and
with the competition we have all around
US we must change our tactics \
different line of policy and action must
be pursued. Self interest. aye, self
preservation, demands it. Will we
realize this fact and act upon it then.
or will we continue rs we have hereto
fore done to too great an extent, every
man for himself and against every
other man and enterprise that did not
seem specially calculated to put money
in the pockets of certain individuals
and no one else? This is plain talk
but it is the truth, and the time has
come for us to talk plain. The pub
lie good demands it. and the sooner
we as people realize the error Of our
way the better it will be for all con-
cerned
Let US look we'll to the interests of
our town in all things. What con-
Germs one concerns all. 1t is impossi-
BILE to benefit one class without bene-
fitting Others. If it does not come di-
rectly it must come indirectly. This
is the way to look at it,and taking this
view of the situation, as 4 community