The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-01-30
STAND BY YOUR TOWN.
Talk Up Its Interests and Act Consist
emily Therewilh-fiave Faith in Its
Future and Pride in Its Present.
L. ID. }. in Chase City Progress.

L. d. j. in Chase City Progress.
The best service the citizen of a
town can do, is to talk it's interests
and to act consistently Herewith.
The most enterprising towns Of the
whole country are towns whose citi-
zens are most loyal to it, everywhere
and all the time, and most public
spirited.
When the people are proud Of their
town, enthusiastic over it's achieve
ments and advantages, and hopeful
of its future, the stranger at once
puts that down as live town. If he
is seeking place to invest or locate
it is in such town that he will stop
and investigate. II the inhabitants
Of town have an unshakable faith in
its desirability as a place Of resi-
dsnce, and it's future growth and de-
velopment, they impress the stranger
forcibly. He likes to see them acting
harmoniously, getting all the public
enterprises located there possible and
all the mon Of prominence and official
position to make it their homes.
These add influence and, character to
a place.
The beautifying Of homes and
grounds, the encouragement OF build
ing houses for entertainment and
amusement, which will be attractive
and arrest the attention of many peo-
pie. All should be imbued with a
spirit Of civil pride. Minds run in
different channels. Some like diver
sion, others business and educational
advantages.
When visitor, or intending settler
hears men running down their own
town, finding fault with it, and con-
tinually criticizing or apologizing for
it the strangers faith finds no inspira-
ton. He likes to see people patronize
their own business houses, profession
al men and markets.
Every citizen should be an optimist
so far as his own town is concerned
and believing in and practicing CO.
operation and good will.
A pcssimist is but croaker, a
prophet of evil who casts a shadow
wherever he goes and to the extent of
his ability chills the enthusiasm OF
others. He probably hopes to get a
reputation for superior wisdom by
abusing his own town and people,
when rs matter of fact he merely
arouses contempt of strangers.
A mans own town may not be the
largest in the State, and it is un-
reasonable to expect it to contain all
that the greater towns and cities
offer Of comfort and entertainments S
and public institutions; but it is his
own town, where he expects to live
and raise his family and should COM
mand his commendation and not hi.
condemnation. 1t is true he gets his
living and centres future prospects,
and it is his duty as we'll as his own
interest 10 do all he can to promote
its prosperity.
When the people Of town are
united in their pride and enthusias N
and in their loyalty to it, that town
is lively snd prosperous. The en-
thusiasm is o!tensr the cause than
the effect Of tho prosperity. Individual
and corporate acts for advancement
should go together and work smooth
ly.
Let us look more for the merits and
advantages Of the town and less to
its defects and disadvantages. This
town is now on the eve of period OF
great prosperity and growth. All it
needs is more enthusiasm, men work
ing together and more public spirit
aud faith in our abilities and oppor-
tunities. Enthusiasm is the main
spring, successful action in all i'm
portaut enterprises. There is an in
viting future ahead of US, and all in
dications point in that direction.
North Carolina has all the precious
stones, trees, plants, etc, that every
| other State Of the Union has and more
to boot. In gems she ha. the hidden
| lite, valued as the diamond, and other
unique Jewels. Col. F. A. Olds il
now telling US of the existence OF the
exquisite golden holly berry tree
which grows in several counties o.
the State, although it is quite rare
1t is a match in our vegetable life te
the hiddenite of our mineral wealth
Charlotte Observer.