Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-12-25
From the Vermont Journal of Dec. 90.
THE GREAT WORK REGI1Ns

Gov. Paine, IN addressing the concoursc of peO- |
pie, who had assembled to witness the interesting
event, alluded to the recent period when steam
first applied to the purposes of civilization; the
progress OF improvements in the means and facili-
ties OF transportatlon the Importance of this road
to Vermont, New England and its commercial cap
ital; the great and highly beneficial results not
now to be wholly foreseen-that will follow the
!completon OF this work and in conclusion, said,
sas President of the Vermont Central Railroad
Company, now authorize the Contractor to begin
ms labors at this place, and here, in the town of
Windsor, to break the first ground ever opened in
Vermont for the purposes of Railroad"
The President and Contractor, each with spade,
then commenced the work, amidst the enthusiastic
cheers of the people, the firing of cannon and the
ringing of bells.
After the ceremony of breaking ground, the Pres
lden Chief Engineer and Contractor, together with
vlslters from abroad, partook of dinner at the
4" w hdsor House," given by the citizens of Wind.
sor IN honor of the OCCASION Hon. CARLOS Cool
TDGf presided at the table, and on the removal of
the cloth, addressed the company in his usually op.
proprlate and happy style. He spoke of the short
time since it had been ascertained that Vermont
could be traversed by railways-the mountainous
and generally uneven character of the country hav
ing been deemed too formidable barrier to the in
PRODUCTION OF this great improvement of modern
times. But, said he, projected road passing thro'
the interior OF the State is now begun and we have
"ithSSpSo
grading. He forcibly alluded to the magnitude
and Importance of the work, and of its probable
influence upon the future destines of Vermont de-
velopng, it would the rich resources of the State
and multiplying the productions of its agriculture,
ITS mines and manufactures. While, continued Mr..
g., we mingle our congratulations let us first of all
remember our friends, and especially him, to whose
efforts marked they have been with signal en-.
ergy and perseverance-we are indebted for this
occasion of rejoicing. Without further introduce
ton, and without referring to past honors or titles
but regarding him solely as cherished son of Yer
mont and the pioneer of this great enterprise,
propose, gentlemen,
The health and happiness of CHARLES PAINE.
When the applause, with which this sentiment
was received, had subsidized, Gov. Paine replied, at
considerable length, giving history of the Cen
trail Railroad enterprise from its beginning down
to the present time. He referred to the great diff
cultes and opposition which the project had en-
countered and which, happily, had been overcome.
He spoke, in terms of gratitude, of the aid which
the measure had received from its friends in Bos-
ton; and alluded in particular to the services of
Messrs. S. $. LEWIS, JACOB FoRsTER, and S. F.
BELKNAP, to whom, he said, the Central Company
were indebted for its present suspicious crcum-
stances. He closed, by congratuatng his fellow
citizens upon the success which had thus far at
tended the enterprise, and upon the certain pros
pect OF the completion of the road within two years
| from this time.
The next sentiment proposed, was,
The health OF the Chief Engineer, S. M. Eel.
TON, Esq
| Mr.. FELTON, responded, in very neat and hand
some manner. He delighted the company with q
good natured and humorous description of the sort
of reputation he must have acquired among the
Vernonters growing out of the various rumors and
stores which had been in circulation respecting
his connexion with different Railroad projects. He
then went on to say that, it was his misfortune to
be made one of a committee, to whom was assign
ed the task OF deciding upon the comparative mer.
It's OF the two great routes-then occupying much
of the public attention-and, by one of which, it
was proposed to reach Lake Champlain and the
Canadas and it was further his misfortune to be
LETT alone, to perform the delicate and important du-
ties OF that committee. In dscharging this trust,
imposed upon HIM by virtue of the appointment he
was not at liberty to be influenced by any partial
tiles of his own, however agreeable it might have
been 10 him an individual, to have gratfed the
wishes OF his friends; but, he was to make an ex-
animation and report, as to a particular matter of
fact, and to report that as it should be found He
made that examination, and submitted the only re-.
port, which, as an honest man, he could submit. He
concluded, with the following sentiment:
The success and prosperity of the Vermont Cen
trail Railroad.
Mr.. F's remarks could not well have been better
chosen, or more happily expressed. 1t has not been
our fortune to listen to short address, characterl
zed by better spirit, and received with demonstra-
tions of more hearty good will.
The President observed that, on this Joyous &C.
casion while remembering our friends, he would
propose the health of gentleman, Of whom hon
orabe mention had been made, in the remarks oil
Gov. Paine-a gentleman, who, by his great expe-
rience and distinguished success in similar enter
prises he believed to be eminenty qualified, to
ry forward in satisfactory manner to its compile
ton, the work which he has this day commenced
| al tha Droe I
The health Of the Contractor, S. +. BELKNAP,
ESQ.,
The pleasure with which the company received
this sentiment, increased to enthusiasm by the
announcement made by Gov. Paine that Mr.. Bel.
KNAPP was permonter, and that like true and no.
Bile son, he had taken deep interest in the Central
Road, as measure of the highest importance to
the welfare and prosperity of his native State.
Mr.. George Wardner, of this village, being call
ed upon, remarked that only three years since, il
was his fortune to be present at the first meeting
held In Boston by the friends of the Fitchburgh
Road. Col. Croker, the persevering pioneer Of
that enterprise, then, for the first time, called the
attention of few gentlemen of that city, to the
Importance Of Road to Fltchburgb; urging its
claims with great force and showing that in all
probability, it would ultimately be extended and
penetrate Vermont to Canada line. His (Col. C's
views were ably sustained by gentleman (Mr Eel
tom whose voice we had just heard with so much
pleasure
We were now rejoicing at the prospect of spec
dy fulfllment of the prediction made on the occa-
sion referred to, and while we rejoice it should be
remembered that without the aid of foreign CAPT
tai, the road never could be built. Money flows
where confidence is: confidence is plant of slow
growth and when once reared should DE careful
ly guarded. Mr.. w. concluded with the following
sentiments
The STATE OF vERMoNT-M May she continue
to pursue that enlightened policy which has CON-
mended her to the confidence of the country, fol-
intelligent honest, and stable Legislation.
After some further general remarks, upon Rail-
road TOPICS from Messrs. Leland and Prentiss OF
Claremont and number of gentlemen of Wind
sor, the company separated, with mutual express
ions OF qualification at the events of the day.
The Boston Journal contains the following joke