Arizona republican., 1900-08-01
A NOBLE SENTIMENT.
Words of Praise and Encoura cement
 for Prescott's Citizens.

The following letter. written by Hon. A. L. Morrison. internal revenue collec- tor for New Mexico and Arizona, fa ther of United States Attorney R. E. Morri- son and of Attorney J. E. Morrison. of Prescott. has been received by the edi- tor of this paper, says the Journal Miner. Although it was intended as private communication to ments and such encouraging and cheer ing words that it should be read by every individual in Prescott who sus
 tained loss by the recent conflagra tion and the Journal Miner takes the liberty of publishing it for the benefit of all:
 santa Fe, N. M, July ?. 19OO.-My Dear MT. Martin: While I am sincerely sorry for the terrible fire which has de- stroyed the best part of beautiful en- terprising Prescott. I will not indulge in vain regrets but hasten to congratu- late you on the PhoeniX-like resurrec- ton from the ashes of your former well equipped institution. l remember as if it was yesterday. the awful conflagra- tion which reduced Chicago to an un- slightly heap of smoulderng ruins. Sev- eral square miles of magnificent busi- ness edifices; thousands of residences from the stately mansion of the million aire, to the cosy cottage of the working man, were as if they had never been; and at least 100000 men, women and children were wandering aimlessly around the streets. destitute of every thing-even of the barest necessaries of life. Tears almost blind my eyes as I call up that scene of desolatiOn and woe. For few days we looked at each other and then at the unparalleled scene of destruction; and it was not un- til the first newspaper 0ike bright ray of hope) appeared that the heavy clouds of despondency began to give way to the bright gleams of hope and courage. The indomitable spirit of Americanism, which had carried our country throughout all the wars and perils of the past, manifested itself anew; work began and all through the winter (providentially a mild one) con- tinued without let or hindrance, day and night, and inside of one year the old buildings were replaced by commer- cial palaces. than which there were none grander on earth. Peace has its victories as well as war, and it takes the same bravery, the same determina- tion, and more than the same moral courage to achieve them. The rebuild ing of Chicago was one and the re- building of Prescott will be another. From the smoking debris on the shore of lake Michigan has arisen the Won der City of the world. Who would have believed on that terrible day in 1871, that within quarter of a century the most magnificent exposition of manu- factures, arts, architecture and beauty. the world ever saw or probably ever will see. would be held on the same spot? No one could have dreamed it. and yet it did take place. Even the so-called Empire City of New York has been compelled to take in all of Sta ten island, nearly all of Long island, including the great city of Brooklyn and the most pOpulOus parts of West chester county, to keep herself a little ahead of superb and peerless Chicago. Without that dreadful fire that city would have been struggling many years to accomplish what she then achieved in one. And so, in proportion. it will be with Prescott. The invincible spirit shown by your indomitable business