Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-01-01

Veloped Dy euoTt. Ahe P -
community are developed by the
United efforts of individuals. Progress
.iva citizens make successful cities.
villages grow into towns and towns
1.roxv into cities by the efforts of men
s,,ora than by force of circumstances.
n, the shores of Lake Michigan
,onv points could have been found
hundred years ago most advantageous
for commerce and more attractive as
Mace of habitation than the MAS
matte expanse of swamp and sun
scorched patches of barren sand from
which sprang the magic city of Chi
ooeo the growth of which represents
the mighty struggle of progressive men
oeainst formidable difficulties of loca-
tion. The inherent greatness of Chi
caeo is demonstrated in the wonderful
engineering triumphs made possible by
che enterprise and liberality of Chicago
neople. by the colossal projects pro-
NOTED with the greatest outpouring of
nublic spirit known in the history Of
the world. Chicago is not model city,
hit II is a wonderful example of pub
lie spirit and private enterprise, of
rand commercial development. Men
have made it so, and in making it so
thew have had to overcome seemingly
;nsurmountable difficulties. They do
great things and they have great re-
suits. AS officials charged with the
duty of doing things for the public you
are all more or less familiar with that
kind of do-nothing citizenship which
as a shield from contempt calls itself
conservatism" and it has doubtless
sometimes caused you to wonder why
YOUR officials are charged with the duty
of doing things for a public that would
not permit you to do anything.
Among the man who helps in the
making of cities, the man who does
things and makes mistakes is more
useful to the world than the man who
makes no mistakes and does nothing.
Fortunately he is usually a self-abating
nuisance, when allowed time and OPP
portunity to find himself out, and then
he settles down to a conservative citi-
zen, who sees in everything what he
has found in himself
The do-nothing men do not make
cities; they do not belong to cities
the pace is too swift for them. They
are better suited to the quiet retreats
where slumbrous life is not disturbed
by the great problems of urban pro-
gress. The progressive citizen be-
comes powerful, as rule, only in num-
bers, and even then there is hope, for
a few earnest men can accomplish Won
ders in advancing the interest of
city when they devote themselves faith
fully to the work. One man can SOW
the seeds of an idea which will spread
through and take possession of an en-
tire community. The power of an idea
is one of the wonderful things of life.
If it is good and beneficient if it is
based on facts and appeals to reason,
it will overcome all opposition; in fact,
opposition is but a stimulus to it. I
believe that there is nothing surer
than the ultimate success of a truly
good cause. But like the great oak
that comes from the little acorn, it must
grow; It can not be brought to full de-
Velopment by any quick trick or magic.
make it, primarily responsibility rests
upon each citizen to the extent of what
he may do to make it greater and bet
ter. If there is no public spirit in a
community, if every man is looking to
his selfish interests. the conditions will
be relatively such as are produced in
the individual by narrowness and sell
nShneSS. IF a oif
broad-minded and progressive, if they
are alive to the public interests and are
active in trying to improve the facili-
ties and advance the welfare of their
community the spirit of enterprise will
quicken the life of the place, will de-
Velop its best material possibilities, will
make 1t a city in which all will have
cause to feel proud. The people of such
city will not be pessmists and
grumblers, they will not look enviously
on the progress of other towns: they
VIII be happy in doing their best; for
their own abiding place. A few men
can arouse this spirit in any town If
they go about it in the right way.
The right way leads to the real
things of life-the things that make
health, happiness and comfort. Pro-
gressive men, with good ideas and
great energy, do the best work in the
making of cities. Spasms of reform
may make cities good a little while,
out rarely long. Boomers may make
them seem big, but hot air and water
are elements that make fat for the
boomer only.
In the making of city there is more
TO De considered than the promotion
OF plans merely for business growth.
BUSINESS is not all of life; it is not
all OF a city. Good equipment is the
pest preparation for successful pro-
auction. Good physical condition is of
primary Importance in the making of a
CITY, This is the basis of substantial
growth. I have never found an in
stance of a city having really suffered