The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-01-01
PAST AND FUTURE.

kub VI " Aht year VI ltRD- Nilt-
teen hundred and two, with its sue
cesses and failures, is a part of che
past. The wheels of progress, that
were revolving 50 smoothly one year
ago, continue torevolve with increas-
ing force and benefit.
The whole world seems to be hap
py and from every point Of the com
pass comes the cheering news that
prosperity has visited and Is soiouru-
ing with the American people. The
closing holiday season has given
the people an ample opportunity o.
think of the past and plan for a o.
future
1t is but fitting and proper ths
we. as a people, should pause lour
enough in the midst OF our prosper
ty TO consider both the past and the
future. What ofthepast? To some.
the days OF this year have doubtless
brought sadness and sorrow. Some
homes have been bereft ofloved ones
some efforts have proven failures.
some bodies have been racked Will
pain. But, generally speaking. this
has been a good year to the people
OF this Country. True thecoal STRIKE
was and still is "a source of much sufi-
ering TO many people. but this suii-
ering has been chiefly in the cities OF
the land
As a crop year. the farmers look
upon 1902 as one Of che best In
many years. Crops have not o-lv
been plentiful but the prices received
FOR grain ard produce have been
good. From a manufacturing stand
point, the year has been prolific Il
good results. Old mills and facto-
ries have been reopened, the facili-
ties of many increased, and numbers
OF new plants have been established
Right here in fredericksburg this fact
been has clearly demonstrated Since
the beginning ofthis year, a number OF
manufacturing plants have been add
ed to the growing list of local indus
tries, while many of the older plants
have been working overtime il
order TO meet the demands upon
them. let US pause for a moment
and view our growth along this line
A canning factory. , shirt factories.
= excelsior mills, planning mill, and
a brick-yard have all been establish
ed during 1902. Aside from this
there has been a general enlarge.
ment and improvement along boil
industrial and commercial lines. Our
merchants have had an especial,
good year and the smiles TO be seel
daily on their faces plainly denOt
that they are more than pleased wit
the results Mechanics and laborer
have not wanted for work. on tn
contrary work has hunted them
Especially has this been true among
those who work in building lines
New storehouses, factory building
and residences have been the orde
OF the day in every section of the city
And now we come to the close OF tn
year filed with Joy over the past
and with radiant hopes for the fu
ture. We have already asked
what OF the past?" Now let us tur
our faces toward the future. VIVA
has it in store for us? The answe
to these questions rest largely wit
us. The result of the past wer
largely the outcome of energy an
push; the future will depend to
great extent upon similar activity
We can make fredericksburg
veritable beehive of industrial an
commercial activity. We must dol
1t may cost US something, but wht
Of the cost when the returns are s
handsome and abundant? The r
suits OF 1902 In this section ha'
been to a degree "eyeopeners" +,
some people, who had come to loo
upon the "old burg" ss a finish,
town. Let's make the successes
the coming year so signal and grei
that the most chronic pessimist W
forever cease his mutterings and L
whole locality become the stampir
ground of an army of optimists, ev
ready to assist in any moveme
that means development and a
vancement.
We predict that 1908 is going
be great year in the history
Fredericksburg. With paved stree
and other internal improvements t
city is going to attract much outsi
capital, aud as q result this who
section is going to move up sever
rounds on the ladder of progrel