Year: 1867

familiar with the business facilities and
business prospects of Washington, declare
that this city can never be commercial
town. In our Judgment nothing is further
from the truth. Washington has natural
advantages and evident and large oppor-
tunties, which, properly understood and
appreciated, will, at no distant day, make
it frst-class commercial depot. "s'sn
nnticipate the derisive laugh and the con-
cealed sneer, which this statement may
call forth in some quarters simply because
heretofore men haze believed that the only
legitimate business of this city should be,
TO furnish for members Of Congress, and
for those called here to transact business
with Congress, and with the Departments,
hotels, and boarding-houses for their ac-
commodation. We, as people, have
Welded a too implicit belief to this idea.


The thought is fallacy and cheat,
and the sooner the people, property hold.
ers and capitalists, repudiate this notion
the better will it be for all concerned.
Washington and Georgetown are located
at the head of the navigation Of the Po-
tomac, and these two cities furnish good
harbors and ample accommodations for
large commercial centre. West Of us ant
south Of us there is country us yet bu
partially developed but rich in agricultu
raj and mineral wealth, the extent Of whcl
we have not yet began to know. Thes
undeveloped lands and these mines 0
wealth can be made to yield their natura
income to the hand Of industry and labor
and what is now almost or comparatlVel!
a wilderness can be made to bud ant
blossom as the rose. Let us but once un
derstand our power, and our facilities 70
Improvement, and the work Of building u
this national capital will have been con
menced, and no distant day will assure
us q great, wealthy and prosperous cit!
Why notH "God helps those who hel
themselves" If we sit down supinely an
think we cannot grow, cannot be ric
and prosperous place, then the measure o
our success will be commensurate with ou
ideas Of capability and advantages. Wate
does not rise above its level. A peopl
who do not determine to grow, and VIII
do not avail themselves Of their naturG
and furnished opportunities have nobod
to blame but themselves if success doe
not crown their feeble and halfbearte
efforts.


We hold to the belief that Washingto
was not intended merely as a place i
which to keep hotels and clearinghouse
for the accommodation of members o
Congress and persons waiting upon tn
Government, but that it may and can bt
made commercial, manufacturing ant
thriving town. The facilities are here, the
capital is here, or may be brought here
and the way is open to our people if they
will move according to the light they have
Let us then have done at once with the
notion that Washington is but an ap
pendage to the General Government
place to be given up to members of Con
gress and others called here upon public
business and proceed to make it, as soor
as may be, a commercial emporium
city that shall stand alone an honor to the
uation-a home Of industry, science, i'm
provem0nt, prosperity and wealth.


We shall, as soon as may be, hereafte
give some data respecting the natura
advantages of Washington and George
town, upon which we base these views.


1t is our purpose to make this paper, a
least, news and business sheet and, 81
far as in us lies, there will appear nothing
personally offensive to any man in it
columns.