The Bourbon news., 1912-01-19
She Sleepeth.

f2rlS, In cCmmSrclal sense, is 2p-
parentIy sleeping the sleep that knows
no Weakening. In recent years this has
become very noticeable. She comes
forward at the dawn of bright day to
go to rest in the evening in the same
way. contented with what she has,
given to her without an effort to
acquire. and as the days pass, in the
same 'hum-drum" way.
This has characterized Paris since
her birth, something over a hundred
years ago when cows browsed on the
commons men sat idly around black
smith shops. taverns and stores, chew
ed tobacco and whitfield. The advance
of time has made the people a little
more energetic, but this energy was
forced upon them when it became ap-
parent that there was nothing else for
them to do.
What next: Railroads replaced the
stage coach, Paris blossomed under a
favored sun and matured into a city,
not because of the efforts of her people
possibly it was predestined. Time
has made Paris thriving city there
is little doubt to this. In the pat ten
years the change has been as if by
magic. What was the cause? Was it
the people who spent their lives IN the
cOmmuni ty. or was it from outside
interests? The latter is most probable.
Some ! tile enterprise has contribnr-
ed materially, but there exists to this
day the feeling in the breast of the
average citizen that whatever does
not come to US we will not seek" We
can daily see the fruits Of this spirit,
which from candid view promises to
prove the undoing of Ethe proud little
town and reduce it to a rank far be-
meath the class to which it rightfully
belongs.
Some time ago Commercial Club
was organized and for "a time the
activity of this organization knew no
bounds. But what came of it? Moth
ing, absolutely nothing. Then, drift
ing back into the same channels mat
ters continuedfas if no organization of
the kind had ever been perfected.
There is work for a hustling Com
mercial Club here; work in plenty.
Some weeks ago Paris was mentioned
as the divisional center of the l.. &cN.
and the terminus of. "a new line which
was surveyed into the rich mountain
country. With no Commercial Club to
push the interests of Paris it was per-
mitted to go on, and on, and on, until,
when it was announced that Winches-
ter. bidding strong for the new road,
had all but secured it the eyes of the
people we're opened. Sitting up they
started in wonderment and asked,
whats doing?"
1t can be easily conceived something
in the extreme was doing. 1t means.
to express it iii very few words, that
Paris has virtually lost what with an
effort could have been her gain. But
battles are not won until the last gun
is silenced and there is yet hope of the
chance to retrieve our apparent losses.
Let's get together unite in the one
common cause to make Paris what she
should be. Lay aside the desire for
selfish. personal gain and unite. Bless
ed with the natural advantages that
she is Paris should be made better
town. We cannot expect outsiders to
do it for US when there is no effort on
the part of those locally interested.
Shoulders to the wheel, all of them.
Do it now, or some fine morning we
will awaken to find Paris a mere flag
station. while. the cows will be brows-
ing on the commons, men sitting idly
about. just existing. as in the days of
long ago.