Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1897-09-03
Once More to the Breach.

Once More to the Breach.
While many may not realize the fact,
it can be safely said that, the meeting
i'll Columbia hall tonight, for consid-
ering the matter OF improvement Of
the power-plant at Tumwatcr falls, is
one OF the most important ever held
IN tins clty-lmpurtant to the proper
ty holder; important to the business
man; important to the owner of the
cottage as to the nominal owner OF the
business block; to the laboring man AS
t" those who are poor by PLETHORA of
property wealth.; to every man, wo-
man and child who expects to retain
our town and county as Il permanent
abiding place.
Our local history shows that when
ever our citizens have labored unitedly
for any given object, they have been
successful. This was so when we built
West>ide wharf, quite an undertaking
for the then village; when we, by field
days, constructed the roadbed of the
railroad to Tenino; when We built
Long bridge, largely by socials and
dancing parties; when we put Olym-
pia in the lead as contestant for the
permanent location of the capitol, and
many other enterprises in which the
temporary woll-being, if not the ulti-
mate fate of the community, appeared
to be involved.
While on neither OF these objects,
strange as it may appear, could abso-
lutte unanimity be secured, there was
enough of public spirit and generous
philanthropy manifested to create an
enthusiasm, which is the best augury
for success. Each emergency, each
epoch in our history, was regarded as a
turning-point in local affairs, and the
results which followed every achieve
ment amply demonstrate the efficien-
cy and wisdom of united effort.
Another emergency is now presented.
1t is not necessary to enumerate the
vacant buildings to impress that fact.
We need not point to the long list of
departures to convince the most apa-
thetic that our town is being depopu-
lated. These silent reminders of wan
ing power convey their own admoni-
ton, which is to arise and shake off the
stupor which .enthrals us and threatens
destruction. It is useless to mince
words. 1t is folly to close our eyes to
painful truth and try to believe that
it does not exist.
The only question now to be consid-
cred is, Does the project presented af-
ford reasonable assurance of relief :?
If SO, it is the part of wisdom to give it
a cordial support. 1t must BE- united
effort that will give any assurance of
success; it must be determined action
to make it effective. Do not waste
time in suggesting something else as a
substitute; something else, though
heralded by the cherubim from on
high, will find opposers.
In union there is strength. That is
what entrenched Seattle enterprise be-
hind walls of adamant, and placed her
people on the road of unparalleled
prosperity. That is what made her
people impervious to hard times, and
has kept her in position to receive the
invigorating rays at the very dawn of
returning prosperity.
Go to the meeting tonight. Garry
with you feeling of harmony. Listen
to what is said. If the plans seem rea-
sonable, give them your support. Aid
the project if you can. Aid it little if
you cannot much. At least extend
the aid that your presence will afford.
Come and give encouragement to the
efforts of those who are working for
your good in promoting their own, for
the benefit of the whole community
and the safety of all.