Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-08

city OF tho South, 10 that Of the second
electric city Of the world.
Civic pride. strong in all progressive
cities. finds much to feed on in Rich
mond. It's citizens point to It's secure
snd glorious past and its steady, conser-
yative progress, They point to its pres
,nt commercial emincnce. They direct at
lention TO its unique situauon,by virtue OF
which IL receives and distributes the pro-
aucts Of a vast area. Then, turning 10
The future, they see only radiant hues.
Already thrilling with the new life
eauscd by the rapid increase in population
md by the aroused energy and enterprise
NJ her businessmen. Richmond VIII
,prelv 90 forward with great strides
po profound IS this belief that eastern
capital that formerly flowed past hich-
,ond TO the West, is returning 10 Ahu
mora profitable investment nearer nome
An impression prevailed among many
.,.sors who reside north Of Mason and
blxon's line that when the red names
- Evacuation-Day laid Richmond al
most entirely IN ashes, she was Tor al
,,-,e IN lie with bowed head; but those
.,.r vcbose fathers built from the foun-
s,,ion this grand country had by nature
Inherited too much determination to let
wen so great an apparent catastrophe
u,bdue them. 10 mythological Phoenlx
,ver arose from its ashes in more regal
,,lendor than this fair capital OF the
Afotber Of states and Statesmen. Thus
,bo sits on her seven hills to-day with
her Youth renewed, and while in reality
the Oldest. yet in appearance among 'h'
Youngest of her sister cities.
THE MARCH or PROGRESS.
The most potent element in the COM
,,orcial development Of Richmond mas
hsen the Chamber OF Commerce, body
embracing practically all OF the inn
,iol business-men Of the city, ever alive
IN and watchful of her interests ana ma
terlal prosperity. Always on the iooA-
mt Tor advances in other directions the
~ts,,her has kent Richmond 10 the iore-
front i'm the march Of progress Con
yincirg evidence Of this fact exists IN
The latest move TO run merchants ca
surslous TO this city from all southern
points The commerce OF a vast terri
,orv concentrates at Richmond. The raw
PRODUCTS OF field. forest ana mine arc
brought here by vessel ana py ran u,
rreot quantities. and are here received
~ fectorles and mills. or are transferred
ana sent forward on the eastern ude OF
traffic. So Richmond holds out great
advantages 10 merchants. and pafucu-
lsrlv to the merchants Of the south.
Competiton holds no terrors for the
Queen CIV Of the South. and 1t Is not
surprising. therefore. that when the NOE
OF warning was heard that other cities
were reaching out for the patronage that
had hitherto come 70 lachmohi, 'n0
merchants of the city. throuth 'he C, Cn'i'
Der OF Commerce. should nave e"l''c.
into the race. not with any ieei4hss U'
misgivlrg but with a Zest ana Cum
dence. the reason for which Is not far
10 seek. 81. Louis first. followed py
New York. IN self-defence. inaugurated
trade EXCURSIONS for merchants 10 visit
their marta Then the Chamber Of Com
,nerce OF this city Joined the advance
guard. and through special committee
foueht 10 make similar arrangements Tor
the benefit OF Richmond.
WORKED HARD FOR SUCCESS.
The efforts OF this body Were not crown
ed with immediate success. opposition
developing In a most unexpected quarter.
The railroads listened 10 al the pfopo-
fltions and suggestions OF the commit
tee. but maintained a sphinxlike silence
When al last this barrier was broken
Gown. the answer returned was not satis-
factory. a limit OF so miles being i'm
posed The proviso was not acceptable.
nor was II accepted, and a long and trou-
b,esome hght ensued. IN which, however.
The committee came out victorious. the
Northeastern Passenger Association
making the extraordinary concessions,
ana consenting that excursions be run