The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-06


Eight years ago. Within a few hour0
many people had gone through the expert
ence OF lifetime. Within a few hours
one Of the most prosperous and most
promising cities in the United States was
a hep Of ashes. With splendid courage
the people faced the morrow but they did
not know the half OF the burden they were
taking upon themselves. They not only
assumed the risks OF trade and the chan
GEES OF health. the vicissitudes of western
towns and the alterations Of commerce.
they assumed also a share In a burden
suon as tire world never before saw i'm
posed upon nation. As they built with
deep and strong foundations. the tide ebb-
Ell slowly out: as they erected commodi-
Gus buildings the demand for them re-
eeded- BY the time that pluck and en-
torprise had prepared the field for great
harvest. the screening drouth OF a6ver-
sity burned up the soil.
While the work was going on and when
II was completed crowds came from all
parts and marveled at the substantial
character OF the buildings. the broad. fine
streets. the electric railways. the electric
lights. the stocks Of goods. and the activi-
~ of the people. The city was just ready
TO accommodate the business which had
crowded IL before and during the fire
when the depression which had crept all
over the country reached the Pacific
slope.
Eight years ago' Much has taken place
In that time. Many lost everything in
the fire. staggered 10 their feet for a time
and eventually sought other fields Some
who came at the best OF times have I'M
dauntediy preserved their faith In Seattle
and are now firmly entrenched in spite
OF heavy losses. Others who came before
the day whose anniversary 1t Is who had
fought their way with the varying for
tunes of the city but not then or ever
since have lost their confidence In its des-
tiny. now stand well equipped and ready
10 welcome The returning prosperity.
The reward Is coming. The city of Sc
attic was never stronger than IL is today
II has weathered the storm like an ant
mate thing, gaining strength with trial:
like a tree before winds. IL has lost some
Of its weaker limbs but the resistance has
developed II and driven in It's roots more
deeply and firmly.
The deferred prosperity Is coming The
first breath OF the summer OF good for
tune Is felt in the air. Merchants are
buster, labor Is more actively employed.
the volume OF available money is greater,
prospects are brighter than they were
even In those prosperous two years before
the fire. The activity which followed the
IRE was feverlsh: Il was due to abnormal
conditions and the congregations OF great
numbers who focked 20 the city whose
misfortune and enterprise had advertised
* al over the world. The prosperity
whose advent Is row proclaimed by the
changing conditions Is a renewal on lar
ger scale OF that Of 1855 and l>s9 II comes
from the development, Of tho states re-
sources and the growth OF the city's cont
ierce. I; Is due 10 the demand FOR the
states lumber ard wheat. the opening UP
Of 80 mines. the utilization az it's natural
position as the gate to the highway of
tie Pacific
IN the coming revival ali will benefit.
Il win be slow as to some interests. gaus-
6 hy the standard set Up in the DAYS o.
speculation. bGt Il viii be rapid as to
thoae which have been scaled down 70 a
normal plane. Liquidation IA nearly com
p.ote and tho effects 81 the increased traf-
lie viii - enjoyed by those who have
teen fortunate enough 10 hold their own.
and 4 affords a new opportunity TO those
WHO must begin life anew. II nay not
restore everyone 10 tho place he once held.
hut e VII Improve the condition OF all.
There is 10 city IN the country which
h8s a brighter prospect than Seattle.
There Is TO state which ofye~s more
tempting Inducements than Washington.
its climate has ~ equal: its resource
cannot se exctues sor plenty and variety
tts iocatioa makes II the scene o. anuaral-
ls}ea opportunities.
The tenth anniversary of the IRE will
aua that event relocated 20 the alrsos.
forgotten past. AMI Seattle viii 70 no
longer city nctahle Ger its rebuilding az.
ter = disastrous are. bat city wonderful
heeause - its ::rowth toward tse >g..~a
There Is 10 limit - its possibilities ara
toaay sajs * catering urou Ar era o..
sach advancement a. shall make e the
rival % tse greatest ports ard the raos,
commanding commercial eeate-s. east @.
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