The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-09-15
Mr.. NJ. v. Richards Address
On Past, Present and Fu-
ture of Raleigh
NOTES ITS ENTERPRISE
Declares It a City Whose Past
Is Honored and Whose Fu-
ture is Encouraging Re-
ferS to It As a Home City.
Gives Advice For Upbuild-
ing.

Among the speakers at the Cham
Der of Commerce banquet and annual
meeting last Tuesday evening was
Mr.. NJ. V. Richards, land and indus
trial agent of the Southern Railway.
| His subject was Raleigh's past, pres
ent and future.
Below is the full text of Mr.. Rich
ards address:
Twenty years ago I visited your
| city Tor the first time. Upon taking
my departure, l said, L hope to come
again I have been coming and com
ing; and am grateful for this oppor-
tunity to again visit Raleigh, whose
past is honored and future encourage
ing. 1t is a privilege to meet with
those who have to do with the up
building of your city.
II am requested to say something
about Raleigh's past, present and flu
ture. May I ask you to make a men,
tai note of three words-Blan, Per-
form, Perfect. They represent the
phases l woul emphasize.
Development of City.
IL ~1tl1CSS Tx dCfSlOpAAlSll anu
growth of a city is especially interest
ing, as we'll as gratifying. First, a
community is established; n from
that foundation is developed the viii
lage, then the town, and finally the
city. Some places make more head
way than others. War and pestilence
are known to have retarded the
growth of, and sometimes brought
ruin to, promising places.
There are many elements essential
to the upbuilding of a city, and their
proper employment and intelligent use
is the work Of master minds and will
ing hands,. We notice that every sue.
cessful movement is lead, as it were
by a commander supported by loyal
aids. Following the history of sue
cessful and important cities, one will
observe the existence of forces which
: followed we'll organized plans anG
methods.
! Raleigh's Pioneers.
| Raleigh was started not by meI
] merely of a newer Of wood and
I drawer Of water type. but by a brav,
people conSecrated to their work
which was constructive. They cam,
e into this wild and large area and &C
lively and in~telligently co-operated
4 with each other in shaping the destin,
4 Of the state and nation. The ability
q perseverance and influence of the pio
o neers OF this section a passes
! through many generations; and thei
4 descendants, who are important fac
tors in the ~present-day an,
. development, possess those hereditar
qualifications.
A Home City.
These forces made it possible 70
Raleigh TO possess today a population
approximately 25,00e people. whic'
~ shows an increase during the pas
= five years Of something like 5000
- % or~I ~
and educational center, a commercia
- center, a financial center, and best c
- all, a home city. The enterprise G
- your people is manifested in man
ways. We especially note that durin
the past five years nearly loco, 90
= was expended in public Improvement
n Your bank deposits today amount Il
- in round numbers. IS. 000, 600. Raleig
is one Of the richest cities, per capits
- in the South. Your records show the
n Raleigh per capita wealth is $5O1.5'
=: All honor to those who Rave mad
Raleigh.
TO Work OF Vandals.
"a few days ago I visited a planta
ton in an adjoining state, the hon
= Of an influential family in the eigf
l teenth century. a family who's men
,t bers admirably assisted in mouldin
the destiny of our country. The on
- we'll kept burial plot now shows tt
a' work of vandals and non-appreciatie
OF those who long since fought ba
ties in the interest of humanity ar
Justice. Would that those acre
spots could be preserved. that II
Lr- memories of these pioneers might
fr. ever present in the minds of passir
at generations. There should be il
or scribed upon h tombstones at the
he graves. these words. He at all tim
it believed in and worked for the -
he building OF his county This dor
1e- your section would be marked hv !;
TO. Vulnerable bearing wo-
ill of inspiration to the minds NJ =