The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-31
A MOaIENTOUS EVENT.


To the Editor: The event of yesterday
stands forth as Of such prodigious moment
to the people of Seattle that word in that
regard, even from an humble citizen, may
find excuse if not timely occasion for ut
terAnce. No spectator of the work then so
auspiciously begun could fail to be i'm
pressed with the deep significance of the
undertaking, and also with admiration for
the enterprise and tireless energy of the
courageous spirits who gave 1t birth.
There are turning points in the history or
nations that survive throughout the ages
as shining beasons along the toilsome
march of the race. Such was the heroic
stand of the little band of Spartans at
Thermopylae. Such was the triumph
gained at Runnymede by the bold found
ers of English freedom. Such was the
golden peal of the old bell at Philadelphia
that proclaimed liberty throughout all
the land to all the inhabitants thereof"
Likewise the course Of Industrial progress
has been marked by browning epochs In
the long battle of mind with matter The
progressive stride of inventive genius has
at memorable periods pointed out new and
inviting avenues of human endeavor, and
the soaring thought of audacious science
has been stamped in turn upon the face of
nature by historic monuments Of indus
trial daring. In a country such as ours,
where civil liberty is the secure heritage
of all, the battle for the further emanci-
pations Of the race must be waged in this
field of sober but glorious enterprise.
The benefactor of his kind in this pro-
sale age is the man of active enterprise
who by his business energy keeps in mo-
ton the wheels OF industry. The right to
vote is a high and sacred prerogative: TO
be an "uncrowned king is a proud estate;
but royalty itself grows sick of a fam
ished dignity. 1t is indeed hard for
an empty bag to stand upright,
Nalxy s11r
coed when the freeman is secure
of his bed and board. 1t has been ths
fortune of the American people that the
resources of O vast territory have thus far
In general provided a source Of respectable
livelihood 10 the sober and industrious.
Great undertakings like our transconti-
mental railways have served to distribute
nonulation and develop much of the dor
mant wealth. But now the fair land of
promise has not only been deserted in
every quarter from distant heignts-tne
hardy immigrant has come out to possess
It, and the flow OF milk and honey is no
longer a natural process. 1t has become a
case of survival of the fittest among indi-
viduals and the communities they COM
pose. All of us who are here sing the
siren song and feel il, that the fairest Sec
ton of this vast domain is the country
they call Puget sound.
The JOYOUS refrain of the ''old settler"
wnOm notfllnp coulu drive AWAY Springs
unbidden 10 our lips. And of all fair spots
In this favored cline there is none so
pleasing TO our eyes and dear to our souls
as the city OF Seattle, the proud young
mistress of our summer sea. The strug-
gle for that supremacy has been marked
with pivotal periods when survival seemed
in doubt and only the rare fitness or the
men for the hour wrested victory from
the jaws OF defeat.
The progressive march OF the city is
marked by milestones. in the way OF dar-
ing and opportune enterprises, that point
the moral and adorn the tale. Such
monument is the Columbia & Puget
Sound railroad constructed al a time of
crucial trial through that lonk-strong-
and-all-together pull for which the peo-
ple OF Seattle are justly noted The Lake
Shore & Eastern railway. projected by
the enterprise of d III. Gilman, and COM
nIeted at time when the reaction from the
storm boom of 1883, the determinations Of
hostile railroad monopoly, the turbu-
Ience of the anti-Chinese movement and
the general paralysis Of local business.
had made our hearts sick with deferred
hope. again turned the trembling scales
and inaugurated n new and wonderful
era Of development. The spirit or ire
rressihle energy demonstrated here after
the DISCRIMINATING fire OF June s, 1883,
triunphed once more over appalling dis
as:er. and like Antaeus, mighty or re-
nown." our fair city rose proudly from
tho ashes, 'but the stronger for the
knocking down.
The past two years have again tried the
natience and endurance OF the people OF
Seattle. and TO an extent never felt be-
fore Sharing the fate Of all other COM
runfties Of the Northwest, we have ex-
perienced a period OF prolonged and UNI
paTalleled depression. The money that
was here has been steadily drained by the
rr inf n N foreign loans, WElliS
few investments Of outside capital have
Offset the loss Business has been at a
standstill, and the nroblem OF how to make
both ends meet has been the anxious STUDY
OF high and low. Actual privation has
heen given a sharper sting by that unfail-
ing legacy OF a once prosperous state. the
pride which struggles 10 keep up appear
anrAs and which from the shame OF pow
ertS draws the nearer 70 II. Lack or en-
rIovrnent has bred not only suffering, but
discomfort, and the calamity howler has
developed not only voice, but an audi
ence.
event OF Yesterday has a deep and gratt
fvfnR significance. II shows tnSt the old
Seattle shirt has been neither dead nor
slpeuing. IL is an omen fun OF promise
and inspiration that better days are about
20 dawn.
The plans of the waterway company
were fully outlined and explained IN the
splendid article in your Sunday issue. The
most skeptical now have ocular evidence
Of actual work on a tremendous enterprise
that win at least result in TWO maghin-
cent WATERWAYS giving 20 the city Gnsnr-
PASSED dock facilities; in the reclamation
from the sea OF thousands or leVe! acres
for the use Of trade and commerce. IN
the employnnen. of hundreds of men and
the circulation when most needed OF taou-