The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-05-21
STAND BY YOUR TOWN

The Basic City va AdUante, one
of the best papers published in the Old
Dominion, has thoughtful and well
trimed editorial on the subject OF town
pride and the Importance Of every
citizen standing by home and support
ing local enterprises. We commend
it to the consideration of our readers
1t says.
Town pride is i theme at al times
popular with the AaUanee. The i'm
portancc of the subject commends it
to the favorable consideration of all
who feel interested in the best means
of advancing the interests of their
respective towns. No town, however
favorably located, can rise above the
opinions of its own residents, nor will
any town fall below the united and
hopeful confidence of its people. All
will admit the necessity of patronizing
home merchants, contributing to all
worthy home causes and supporting
to the fullest extent every home enter
prise. The prosperity of the whole
town is so closely interviewer with and
dependent upon every individual un
dertaking, that little or no argument
is necessary to prove the wisdom of
a home patronage policy. While this
is essential and is less frequently over
looked, there is another and equally
important matter to be considered if
towns would reach their highest degree
OF prosperlty-there must be talk and
work done as we'll as money spent if
the town receives the merited support
from its citizens. There is 4 mistake
made along this line. Public spirit
is cultivated on too narrow basis and
men feel as free to CritiCise their town
as political opponents. Laying aside
the question of duty as citizens to &C
QUAINT ourselves with the merits and
advantages OF the town, and unhesita-
tingly and at all times to speak in
terms of praise and commentator,
1t is a bad policy to do otherwise A
criticism upon community is reflec-
ton upon individuals.
Praise is a long, reaching, pow
crful lever. 1t lifts enterprises to
higher level, strengthens business that
is weak and trembling, encourages
greater effort, renews confidence, in
creascs faith and doubles and redoubles
faith and buoyancy and hopefulness.
1t will build houses, churches and
schools, bring unity of purpose and
action, make labor pleasure and
com dollars out of words. There is
nothing that can be compared to it
IN the matter of town building. 1t
fills everybody with cheerfulness and
creates strong public pride. Every
word of unfriendly criticism, every
expression of doubt and failing con
fidence tends to weaken the very foun
dations upon which a town rests.
There is no room for long-faced
mourners and whining complainers
outside of graveyards. Busy, growing
towns need neither tombstones nor
scare crows.
Study up on the advantages of your
town. Find out its good points, its
resources and whatevc: merits it NAV
possess. Prepare yourself for any ar
gument that may be brought against
your town and quit complaining.
Fault finding never yet built town.
There Is no combination of circum
stances that can stand againsta united,
determined citizenship, filled with
faith in their town, imbued with a
broad spirit ofliberality towards its en-
terprlses and ready at all times to
speak in praise of its claim to superior
merit.
There is only one of two alterna-
tlves-praise your town or pull out.
a live town is no place for dyspep-
tics.
Stand by your town-praiseit it, work
Tor 1t, support its enterprises-it will
put money in your pocket.