Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-26

commerce Wnlcn mas nltHtitO b0Ou u4.
known in our midst, and which, we trust,
will stimulate our capitalists ana owners
of property TO an Improvement IN the style
as well a. the cOnveuiences OF those build
iDrs in which during the course OF our
business lives We spend so large a porucn
Of our time. "
II would be a useless ceremony in which
we are now engaged II we did not deduce
from il some good lesson. just as this edl-
fee. when completed, Will not fulhi its
purpose unless il becomes teacher Ot the
value 70 a community Of cooperation.
We are about 10 erect building, the
cost of which will exceed the means OF
most Of our people; yet, with but lew eX-
ceptiCus. the cost 10 each Of the sub
scribers was insignificant. BY this power OF
cooperation we have combined the smau
sums Of many TO make the undertaking
practicable.
MED or CO-oEFRATIoN.
II has been a drawback to our CITY, but
il is. nevertheless. a fact that we DO not CO.
Opefate as we should. Our citizens, reared
m an atmosphere of independence of
thought aud acIou, which IS 80 character
istic of our southern people, have always
manifested O disncluatiOn to subordinate
their personal views, or TO compromise
and consolidate them sufficiently tor the
general good. IL has ever been source OF
Qiscouragcment TO the public-spirlted pro-
mOters of many useiul enterprises IN our
midst, that we could not obtain that con-
cert OF action which has pushed rapidly 10
the front as competitors with Us other
communities less favored geographically
and commercially.
We might find many examples OF this by
winch 10 prCfit-a number III smaller COM
munities where we see stately edlhceS,
handsome dopots and hotels, all OF
which have been reared IN whole or IN
part bv the small contributions or the
united influence Of their patriotic and
pubiic-spirited citizens. Nor has the profit
I'M such cases been confined TO the COM
muuity at large or been realiZadln o gene
raj way only: one successful enterprise has
fosfered another, ana the indy dual sub
scr. ber has found in the wake OF such I'M
movements field for profitable invest
ment. Asa pointed illustration OF tins
fact the value of property within a radius
Of 800 Yards OF where we stand has IN
creased, IN some cases as much as = per
cent. since our chamber purchased TINS
site.
Our FORCE MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL.
The advantage which absolute power
cave TO ancient nations in the executions OF
public works was perhaps, dearly Doueht AT
the cost of personal freedom; yet II was
then probably the only way OF compelling
co.OneratioD We are 10 be congratulate
that IL our dav we have substituted lot
tVranical power q moral and intellectual
force. which opeus up TO US an apprecla-
ton OF the value of that united eHort
which contributed so much TO make our
predecessors success IN their great unoet-
taklngs. 49,,
We car. .by voluntary ombination, based
uuon mutual respect and confidence. ac-
comphsh as 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
cornmon interests; and, having decided
upon the course we will pursue, let every
one put behind HIM narrow or grhspihg
personal wishes, and where even some
personal sacrifice has 10 be made, WORK III
Tor the greater-the common good.
A0ainst such an influence no injustice
could long remain: against such power
no obstacle TO our city's welfare cOull
stand. II we but take the advantage OF
the lesson which the erection OF this build
inc teaches, each hamble citizen NAV as
sert his commercial rights Oy pooIlng MS
grievances with those of every other ana
we NAV exert power FOR great eoou.
such a combination would also foster
moral tone that would condemn the per-
son who, for temporarj advantage,
would sacri ce the common inter 81, ana
raise a sentiment in our midst that would
make the lust cause OF the smallest OF our
industries Cr enterprises the cause or all.
In such measures will we find rellet from
the oppression of monopolies, which DO
not hesitate a moment 20 take advantage
of the unprotected when they tind him
strucglipg siLgly for his rights, and when
the cost of his remedy vii. exceed the
first loss from their injustice. with such
defensive armor NAV we defy the attempts
of olisarchic corporations which would
DESTROY and strangle certain lines OF
business ths. they may assist monopo-
listic concerns in competitive citles
10 retain their grasp ON trades Tor
which 5ney have no peculiar natural ao-
yantages. With such concert OF purpose
and action we could uucoi from the com
meree os this STATE the anacC nda folds OF
the cor ,pulsory.Dilot laws. With such q
| compac. organization, determined on pro;
curing jnst and equitable laws, we could
make Odjous in this Commonwealth the
( biennial Information 10 our city OF either
1 the retained lobbyist or the self-seeking
demagogpe.
Tus Nf@EIog or COMMERCE.
This same idea is tho ground-work, YES,
| the cornerstone OF commerce ana us Kim
dred interests, for the benefit or which we
I are assoc. led together. Let as renect
what II is 10 4Te engaged III, ana see II u ls
1 not true thu for vast aud enduring oene-
I fits to mAAkind and civilization, commerce
stands pve-eminent.
iihis is essentially a practical, con-
/ mereial aud industrial age, aud among
the great dissominators OF knowledge