The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-08
TO MERCHANTS!
RiChmond'S Mercantile
Advantages.
UNSURPASSED FACILITIES.
As a Wholesale Market YifSinia'S Capt.
tai Is Unequalled
SUPBnIOkITIES OYER OTHER CITIES.
Her banking Facilities-As Railway and
Distributing Centre-Ali Lines OF Goods
Carried uere-Richmond Wholesale
Merchants Are Ready TO Accoms
modate the Visiting Mer.
chants who VIII Come
Here on the Chamber
of Commences Ex-
cursion on tho
18th, 18th.
and I4th.

Rivaiiing the populous csies of the
North and surprising her sister cities Of
the South. the marvellous growth and de-
yelopment OF the mercantile industries
OF Richmond stand to-day a wonderful
monument 10 the unfahering confidence,
the certain Dagacity. and the business
genius. which have characterized her mer-
chants during the past few decades.
Tho links OF commercial enterprise.
rudeiy and ruthessly snapped asunder by
the momen;ous conflict which terminated
In 1866 were 10 be joined again; who was
20 do It?
4 body Of men saddened by the loss OF
associates. crippled by dearth Of capital.
and whose very vitality was depleted by
the severity of the struggle they had en-
dured The sites Of former enterprises.
in many instances. by relenti@s flames
had been swept away, and 1t was truly
a time when the most energetic and ven
turesome spirit might have stood abash-
cd: when even hope had lost her roseate
hue. and in the face of discouraging cir
cunstances stood. coiorless as the ghost
of a dead sunbeam. Nothing had been
left save the magnificent geographical To-
cation. which God I'm the beginning had
given. and the probity, integrity and
honor Of those who were 10 do the work.
RISING FROM HER ASHES.
Slowly, year by year. the commercial
monument began to rise. Venture after
no
colossal structure rears its head proudly
among the clouds of possible defeat and
basks In the perennial sunshine Of ac-
cumulating prosperity.
The conscientious dealing OF her mer-
chants, the rectitude which has marked
all business representations. the untiring
energy which eagerly sought INV avenues
OF trade, and the honesty which yielded
the Just equivalency in goods for the pur-
chase price demanded have all been car
dinal colors in the rainbow of commerce
which spans the city Of Richmond to-day.
a magnificent prophecy and promise of
further glad fruition which the revolu-
tions of time shall lay at her feet
WONDERFUL DEVELOPMENTS.
Wonderful ,deyelopmentsl glorious pro-
gressl grand achievements! throughout
the length and breadth of the South
wherever enterprise has marked a spot,
or industry established home, there can
be found representatives of Richmond
houses successfully contending for supre-
macy and creditably competing with. the
markets Of the world. M
There are good. valid and sufficient rea-
sons why this point should, and is surely
TO. become one OF the greatest distribute
Ing points on the American continent.
Situated az II is at the head of Underwater,
and with numerous railway systems CEN
tering here & draws alike from the man
ufactured articles of the North Of every
description. and the products Of the West
ern mills and factories, and then over
the great trunk lines. which leaving here
traverse the entire limits of the South
ern States the distribution is made. No
rlty could be more favoraely located,
and none has experienced more material
advancement within comparatively few
years.
BRILLIANT OUTLOOK.
But even with the great attainment Of
.rade already accomplished. the outlook
Tor the future is more brilliant and
svery indication points to large increases
In almost every branch of mercantile
pursuits. The territory which is now
constantly travelled by representatives
Of the jobbers here embraces the States
Of Virginia. West Virginia, North Caro-
ina. South Carolina. Tennessee. Georgia.
and. In fact. all the Gulf States to Texas
and even, 70 some extent, Ohio. This Is
in very marked contrast 20 the circum-
scrlbed limits which characterize the
trade of a few years ago. and still this
Is not the end; reasonable prophecy
sustained by every indication, places