The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-09-25

to fortune. This applies to inanimat-
ed things as well. Cape Girardeau
has not reached her tide yet. There
is to mnch dead sea fruit in her
makeup. Cape Girardeau, like al
small cities, is burdened by a surplus
of old fogyism, or to use a mildeI
term, conservatism. This same eIe-
ment has from time immemorial
proven a stumbling block to the
advent of progress, intrenched behind
the brestworks of superstition and
Ignorance it sends forth this edict.
Conservatism demands a surrender
of progress, in order that it may re-
pose in perfect tranquility in its
fosselated home. Conservatism builds
a Chinese wall around itself and shuts
out the rest OF the world. This same
conservatism has prevented Cape Cir
ardeau from reaching her tide. Il
seems that conservatism is a heredit-
AIRY heritage handed down from gen.
Grafton. Nations yet unborn will feel
its bneful influences.
The progress OF a nation is meas
ured by the amount of conservatism
it has lost. The more it loses the
the greater the gain in the other
direction.
Progress in its onward march with
it numerous armies, will yet dethrown
this cayiiing conservatism. Then will
the bright ray of hope the blessing of
higher civilization lead it onward
march to the goal Of human perfection.
Cape Girardeau's industrial are few
compared TO what her wealth and
position entities her. The Cape City
has all the elements that go TO make
up a Industrial City"-her geograph-
ical position. her water ways, her
splendid roads, her railroad facilities
all tend to commercial supremacy.
Looming up in the back ground like a
tedious apperation stolid as ever
stands, conservatism by its presence
prevents this end. The Cape
City will some day. by herculain effort
rid1tself of this conservatism and then
she will reach her tide and become the
great commercial mart, which is hers
by right of surrounding conditions.
Aside from this the Cape City is now
awakening to its needs. There may be
organized opposition, YET she will. by
a spirit of progress overcome that
opposition. What are her needs, and
how best obtained? The first can be
answered this way. Her needs are:
new blood new enterprise,
foreign capital and a release of buried
money for legitimate business. Foster
new industries, invite all legitimate
business to your shores, eschen petty
jealously and dwell in harmony.
Second, Cape G~irardean has plenty
Of enterprising men-men who are as
progressive and enterprising as one
find anywhere. In these men the
Cape City has a leaver to solve the
problem.
These same men have, by persistent
effort, brought Cape G~irardeau to a
modern city, and have made rapid
in helping her growth. Any
reference to the record of rapid growth
of Cape Girardeau commercial inter-
ests would be incomplete without a
notice of the men who have devoted
their time, money and years to bring
about this result. Chief amongst them
will be foundthe names of Sturdiyant,
Albert, Rider Thilenius, Pott,
and Lilly. These names are a tower
of strength in the commercial world,
they are names of men who are
thoroughly progressive and up to date,
their aid to ary movement that
tends to improve or ebouud to the
good of Cape Girardeau. 1t is true
these men have done much for Cape
City. 1t Is also true there remains
much that is not done. Whilst -un-
der these adverse conditions you have
a fonrishing city. There are some
that are needed badly, viz: An
electric street car line. or other mode
Of rapid transit, improved side walks,
as most streets are totally without
any kind of a, walk, a large public
park and better oepots.
On the other hand industrial re-
vival would be welcome. The Cape
City offers a splendid field for wood
works; such as a bent wood factory,
axe handle factory. bicycle tire fac
tory or wagon factory. Furniture
could be manufactured very cheap
here as there is an abundance of all
varieties of wood for that purpose
close at hand. There are many other
industries that would furish here.
Yet in the face of many drawbacks
the city progresses well. and ere long
viii lead the procession of progress
sion. $50 might it be.
Il. T. BROWN.