The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-04-05
PEOPLES FORUM
Richmond As An Inspiration to the Whole
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South.
We give space in this weeks issue to rather
elaborate article on Richmond not much for
the benefit of Richmond. for the benefit OF
the whole South, by using the remarkable
growth Of that city an illustration Of what
can be done in other cities throughout the South.
Few other cities In the South suffered dis
astrousy from the Richmond. Around
1t surged all the struggles and the disasters of
1S61-65. II any city In the South had cause
to bemoan Its fate, to lose heart and make
but little effort for material upbuilding, surely
Richmond was the place But instead OF fol-
lowing that course, the war had scarcely closed
before the same ndomitabe spirit which main
tanned against overwhelming odds the struggle
from 1s61-'65 found expression in material ac
tivites and Richmond business people began
the active upbuilding Of their own city. and
at the same time, with broad vision OF the
future of the South. took the lead in the build
ing of railroads and the development of in
dustrial interests throughout the South. The
results have been unique Richmond itself has
made great progress In manufactures and in
finance. and has become noted far and for
the business ability and leadership Of Its peo-
pie In developing Richmond as well as in the
prses of the South. Richmond's financial lead
well known in New York as In, their
own city. Their business ability and their in
tegrty everywhere recognized. And SO
Richmond has become noted place OF
strong men whose energy has done SO much to
revivify that city and the South. There are
how small enterprises have been developed
into big ones. covering range wide that
from the making Of pickles to the building
of locomotives: illustrations OF how boarding
houses and restaurants have grown to great
hotels, how chemists invention for family
need has developed to great industry which
has made Richmond big cattle market and
created q demand for the product of this
in almost every land under the sun. The
founding and growth of these enterprises have
been due to local money and local initiative.
What has been done in Richmond should be
an inspiration to the South. 1t should quicken
thousands of people who read this story to SIM
liar achievements In other places. Richmond
men have had the Initiative to devise Indus
tries and develop enterprises, and the faith to
doing 81 these things have created many vast
business interests and developed great wealth.
Houston. Atlanta, Birmingham Dallas, Fort
Worth and other places in the South have COM
manded the widest attention for their remark
able progress. and Justly so: but Of these
regeneration OF the South by local men and
local money, for Richmond has until recently
drawn comparatively little the outside
world for enterprise capital.
1t Is interesting to read this story OF Rich
mond, because 1t Is such complete
to the statements sometimes made that the
people of the South have lacked energy and
broad business ability and that they have
needed to look to other sections for the men
and money to develop their communities Rich
kind about the Sodth's lack Of energy, and
demonstrates how its own people. when fully
aroused, can develop by their work and
their own capital the opportunities to be found
in every town and city In the South. And
when local and money do this kind of
work. then later and money
from the outside pour into the town city
where this spirit exists.