The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-04

we take from the editorial coluulAS
Of the Durham Daily Sun, b follow
ing article by editor James A. Robin
| son, who attended the recent press con-
vention at Carolina Beach:
Every observing man knows that
people are brighted up, polished and
uuickened by attrition, the contact Of
rubbing against each other, as pebbles
in the bed of a swiftly running stream
by contact polish and give a brighter
look TO each other. This was made
manifest by a recent visit to Whining
ton. Wilmington on the Cape Fear,
the only river in the state going d.
rectly into the open sea. Wilmington
the city by" the seattle North Car
DINA mistress of sea and land, COM
manding unsurpassed facilities of
transportation, by rail and water; bus
mess relations widely extending; large
ly developed industrial activities; won
derful fertility of soil; vegetation in
Guiding that of both temperate and
sub-trop1cal zones; a splendid citizen
ship, distinguished for dauntless cour-
age, energy, thrift, hospitality, intelli-
gence and social refinement.
The people of North Carolina, and
the outside world as we'll, are just. be-
ginning to learn of this sub-tropical
region, and Of Wilmington, historic and
full Of Cape Fear lore though she be,
and the possibilities and great oppor-
tunities that lie all around her for fu-
ture prosperity and greatness.
As a seaport city Wilmington pos
sesses advantages that should be thor
oughly known, and inspire every North
Carolinian with pride to use his tongue
and pen in making her a great south
ern harbor, and shipping point, which
she already enjoys to a remarkable de-
gree. Wilmington is catching the spir-
it Of progress that is stirring the ener-
gies and kindling the hopes of other
places less favored. The genius Of
change and development is abroad in
her borders. She is feeling its cleo
trio touch. Her matchless
and manifold attractions are beginning
to be understood, and in a large meas
ure, appreciated. Capital-keen-scent-
!, ed and sagacious-is spying out this
goodly land. Enterprises that promises
handsome returns to the investor and
great benefit to the public are being
inaugurated.
Surrounded by an u~neXcelled, rich
and beautiful region Of country adapt
ed to the growth of all known vegeta-
bles the possibilities of the trucking
interests, the lumber business, the fish
ing trade are unbOunded and gives
promise Of golden harvests along all
lines. Her pleasure reSOrts-WrightS-
Vile and Carolina beaches-in parching
summers heat, are convenient and
their shores are washed and kissed by
the most beautiful surf that laves the
borders of the majestic Atlantic. There
is not an element that stimulates the
growth, or assures the happiness OF
a community, that Wilmington does
not possess or may not command.
Health, climate, soil, scenery, a market
that supplies alike from sea and land
unite here in rare combinations, as no
(, other seaside city in all the land can
reveal.
Indeed fancy in her most riotous
moods, could scarcely paint a picture
of the future greatness OF this historic
city, whose splendors may not be
eclipsed by actual achievement. Ma
ture has bestowed upon Wilmington
her blessings with a generous, if not a
| prodigal hand. Her people are doing
the rest, and invite others to locate
with them in utilizing the multiplied
opportunities for making an honorable
| and successful career.
In the active progress of Wilmington
may be seen the energetic fingers of
| the Waddell's. the Worth's the Chad
| bourn's, the Taylor's and a host OF
| others who have the welfare and pride
| of their city at heart. Two moving
| factors in Wilmington's development
! are the Atlantic Coast Line and the
| Seaboard Air Line-two great railroad
| arteries that pulsate with energy, pro-
| gress and accommodation, and pour
| their traffic, like a cornucopia, into
| Wilmington's harbor, and give special
| attention to her exports.
What more can we say to inspire our
readers with the advantages and pro-
gress of our beloved old Cape Fear
city that has taken on new life? Will
mington is all right. We wish her
Gods speed in all hat pertains to her
material advancement, and hope to live
to see the day when she will be one OF
the largest foreign exports ports OF the
| south Atlantic.