The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-26

as to every living citizen OF our city and
STATE, that here - an evidence OF united
energy on the part OF progressive people.
which shall demonstrate t. our own times
TIE value or co-ordinated aud combined
ehort tor single purpose. which will elevate
tne minds Of our own citizens 10 standard
on architecture 10 the abodes Of commerce
Which has hitherto been unknown 10 our
midst. and which. we trust. will stimulate
our capitalists aud owners of property 10 an
Improvement in the styles as well as the
nveniences OF those buildings IN which
during the course Of our business lives we
spend 50 large portion Of our time.
IL would be q useless ceremony in which
We are now engaged if we did not deduce
from u some good lesson. just as this edince
when completed will no, fulfill it's purpose
unless il becomes a teacher OF the value TO q
community of cooperation.
We are about TO erect building. the cost
Of which will exceed the means OF most OF
our peple. yet with but few exceptions. the
cost to each OF the subscribers was insig-
nihcant BY this power Of cooperation We
nave combined the small sums of many 10
make the undertaking practicable.
wEDO Not COOPERATE.
Il has been drawback TO our city. but it
Is nevertheless a fact that we do not co-Ope-
rate as we should Our citizens. reared in
an atmosphere Of Independence Of thought
and action, which is 80 Characteristic Of our
Southern people have always manifested q
dissemination 20 subordinate their personal
/ views. or % compromise aud consolidate
/ them sufficiently for the general good; II
J has ever been source OF announcement
/ t. the public spirited promoters OF many
/ useful enterprises in our midst that We
/ could not obtain that concert OF action
/ which has pushed rapidly 10 the front, a.
/ competitors with Us. other communities
/ Iaas favnraI yapurauhfcaIiv and oOrnmpr-
/ cially.
We might find many examples Of this by
/ which 10 proht-a number IN smaller COM
/ munities. where we see stately edlhces,
/ handsome depOts and hotels, all or which
/ have been reared in whole or part by the
small contributions or the united influence
/ OF their patriotic and pubic-spirited citi-
zens. Nor has the profit IN such cases been
! confined % the community at large or been
/ realized IN a general way only one success
/ ful ENTERPRISE has fostered another. and the
| individual subscriber has found lnthe wako
I Of such improvements a field for profitable
| investment. As a pointed illustration OF
this fact the value OF property within
| radius of three hundred yards OF where We
stand has increased, IN some cases rs much
a. 2jper cent. since our Chamber purchased
this site.
DEARLY BOUGHT.
The advantage which absolute power gave
b. ancient nations in the execution of pub
lie works was. perhaps. dearly bought st the
cost of personal freedom: yet 10 was then
probably the only way OF compelling CO.
operation. We are 10 be congratulated that
in our day we have substituted for tyrauni-
cal power a moral and INTELLECTUAL force
which opens up TO us an appreciation of the
value Of that united effort which contrib
uted so much to make our predecessors sue
/ res-ful in their great undertakings.
We can by voluntary CON Dination based
upon mutual respect and confidence ac-
compish az great results. Let Us through
the medium Of our Chamber of Commerce
draw closer together; let us discuss the
means and measures for advancing our
common interests and. having decided upon
the cOufse we will pursue, let every one put
behind him narrow or graspng personal
wishes and where even some personal sac
riice has 10 be made work all for the greater
and common good.
Against such an influence no injustice
could long remain; against such power no
| obstacle 10 our city welfare could stand.
IL We but take advantage of the lesson
| which the erection of this building teaches
each humble citizen may assert his CONNER
cial rights by pooling his grievances with
| those of every other and We may exert a
mower for great good Such q combination
would also foster a moral tone that would
condemn the person who for temporary
advantage wonld sacrifice the common III
terest and raise sentiment IN our midst
| that would make the just cause OF the small
est of our industries or enterprises the cause
OK all.
FROM OPPRESSION.
In such measures will we find relief from
the oppression of monopolies which DO not
hesitate a moment % take advantage OF the
UNPROTECTED when they find him struggling
singly Tor his rights and when the cost OF
his remedy will exceed the first loss from
their injustice. With such defensive armor
we may defy the attempts OF oligarchic cor
poratiOns which would destroy aud straugIe
certain lines Of business. that they may as
sist mouopoleto concerns in competitive
cities 90 retain their grasp on trades for
which they have no peculiar natural adyau-
tapes With such concert OF purpose and
action we could uncOil from the commerce
OF this State the anaconda folds OF the COM
pusOrv pilot laws. With such compact
organization. determined on procuring Just
and equitable laws we could make Odlous
in this Commonwealth the biennial hiberna-
tiou in our city of either the retained lobby
list or the seif-seeking demag0gue.
This same idea Is the groundwork, yes.
| the cornerstone, OF commerce and lts
kindred interests, for the beneht OF which
we are associated together. Let US reflect
|
not true that tor vast and enduring benefits
10 mankind and civilization, commerce
stands pre-emnent.
This is essentially practical. commercial
and industrial age. and among the great
! disseminatOrs of knowledge commerce plays
an important part. II we but observe the
unparalleled progress IN material industries
the unlimited range Of production. the
enormous interstate home trade and the
constant and rapid interchange OF commodl-
ties with foreign countries, Ne can obtain
some faint idea OF the wonderful strides OF
American commerce aud the indomitabie
energy Of our people. In this vast move
ment new elements are constantly being In
troduced. raw materials aud finished pro-
duets are multiplied with an ever varying
demand and supply; additional trades are
! established. and the currents or established
I ones are altered: old ma-ts OF commerce be-
come obliterated or different IN their
/ character. and fresh ones spring into ex-
| istence. the cable. the telegraph. the press
| bring prominently before % the status Of
these events. and be who pretends 10 be a
merchant must keep fully abreast with the
world OF he can occupy no important place
| N commerce.
WHAT COMMERCE MEANs.
Commerce. az the name implies, means
| the exchange Of one commodity for another
| IL IL the necessary complement IN the pro-
/ ductou of wealth. The merchant creates
no new value: he simply exchanges one
| commodity for another. but amidst all the
exigencies of the situation and all the
! problems involved II IS bis mission 10 place
/ both where their highest value Will be re-
allied. Unlike the manufacturer. he does
not convert the useless raw material and
/ labor into something useful and valuable.