The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-05-14
TWO KINDS OF COMMUNITIES,

Referring to the unexampled growth
OF Los Angeles and the spirit of push,
the energized capacity of the people,
and the business airs it assumes and
largely maintains, the San Jose "Mer-
curry makes this comment:
Now the question is. how have all
these results been accomplished? Was
Southern California so bountifully en-
dowed by nature as to preclude the pos
sibility of a buyer turning elsewhere?
Was there a magnet in the glitter of
the Southern sun? Were there no other
sections of this great State bearing any
thing like equal promise? To all Of these
there is but one answer. No. Then,
why? To be brief, it was unison-pure,
simple unison-which has placed Los
Angeles and her tributary section where
they are to-day. Unison Of purpose,
unison of action, unison of feeling have
done the work which has produced an
example for others to profit by To
every citizen, new or old, of the Southern
city there was but one spot on earth mt
to be called home. In the eyes of this
citizen. whether he happened to own
town lot or a Spanish league, the realty
earth In their opinion there were no
bad lands within the territory tributary
TO Los Angeles. Some of course We're
better than others, but none We're bad.
No matter with whom a buyer had to
deal he met the same story of rosy pros
poets and unlimited possibilities in that
section No tales of hard times. No
songs of sorrow. To every newcomer
i-1a nf a
bright tomorrow.
Our contemporary has hit the nail
on the head with a common sense ham
mer of truth. Communities that labor
under even natural disadvantage may
prosper. grow and flourish if the people
in them are united for the common pur-
pose of advancement, happiness and
betterment But there never was and
never will be great growth, buoyant
prosperity. or even a seeming of it, If
there is endeavor by the people to rise
upon each other.
1t must be with the people of town
as with the minstrel in the song, Sally
in our Alley" There is no other for
him, none to compare. There will be
no permanency, no advancement, no
trustful repose, no wholesome energy.
where there is not faith in the town.
faith by the people in each other, and
glorying by each in the success of the
other.
If one section wars against another: If
one street or ward is at swords points
with another: if one class Of business
men are intent upon rising upon the
fallen shoulders of another: If there is
grumbling and growling-Which never
healed a wound nor eased a pain-if
there is backbiting and belly-beating;
If there is abroad the spirit of suspicion
and the disposition to impugn motive
there will be no pulling together, and
consequently no advancement.
Men who start out to invest. to select
a home to settle for life and comfort.
TO cast in their mites with their fellows,
will invariably prefer a community pos
sessed by the spirit of town fraternity.
trustfulness and helpfulness to one
more richly endowed by natural ad-
vantages. but where the spirit of envy,
distrust, jealousy, suspicion and assault
uuon motive rule the hour.
We are not of those who believe that
mere unity alone can build town; that
common agreement to puff and boast
and boom will bring about substantial