Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-02-23
CELEBRATION OF THE
Opening of the Vermont aud Massa-
chusetts Railroad.

those VINO heIN present. NJ H. by the arrange
men,s made tbe cars from Bosom were to arrive
about o'clock p. NJ. but owing to the large
train Of passengers, they did not arrive until
p. NJ Our citizens, and guests from the adja-
cent country, in the mcnn time were assembled
"en masse"-and notwithstanding the long de-
lay, had not the least difficulty in keeping cool
The booming Of the cannon scattered along
the track gave notice at length of the approach
Of the new visitor to our village, with his load
from Boston. and warmed up the shi,e ing
thousands who lined the road anil surrounding
hills
The high banks on the west side Of tie Depo,
grounds, presented long and dense srray Of
citizens, among whom the fair sex were fully and
handsomely represented when eS pcctaiion
was atits height, the steam car, pulling and blow
ing with its heavy burden. sailed gracefully and
beautifully up to the Depot with its sixteen
large passenger cars filed 20 suGocaiion viii
foreign guests. The cxhilaraiion Of the moment
burst fo.th from all that Immense multitude
in such enthusiastic and repeated huzzas as
were mover before heard in the valley Of the
Connecticut and the lofty Chesterfield Noun
tain, upon the other side Of the river, rs II
parlaking aud joining IN the jubilee of the &C.
chson, caught up the echoes rs they foaicd
/ away, and sent them back 10 Us with doubled
volume and sp'ri; from her farthcst borders
One would fancy tina, every forest tree aud
/, rock, stretching ont upon the ample breast Of
the Mountain. were 80 many living animated
spectators oil the cheering sight, and with cheer
for cheer, 'es'if,ing their joyful cougralulaiion
and welcome for the stranger, whose ,is, has
been 50 long and 20 impaIcntly anticipated
AAer the cheers has been given, the guests,
stockholders and citizens formed in procession,
marched through the village, and then returned
to the Depot buildings TO partake Of the ample
refreshments provided for the occasion. The
tables were spread with nine hundred coversnnd
supplied for three times tina, number, 50 that
although not half of those who bad tickets could
get to the table at once, yet all in time, were
provided for abnndanily.
We had no vine or liquor, but something far
better. in ,hrcg nundrcd gallons Of Java Coffee,
which, TO judge FROM the mysterious fspidiiy of
its disappearance, was anything but disias,cful
Amer the inner man was duly cared for, the
procession was again formed and preceded as
before by our Fire Companies in their neat
uniform, and Flagg's Band Of Music from Bos-
ton, with It's spirit stirring notes, was marched
under the direction Of tbs Marshal of the day.
to the Congregational Church, for the intellect.
ual part Of the entertainment
The house was densely crowded, and all re-
ceived from DIR. VIM. H. Rockwell the Presi.
dent Of the day, the following warm and appro-
pirate welcome.
Grntlcmen--We rejoice to meet 20 many
Of our friends, 10 participate in the ceremonies
OF this OCCASION, and the hospitality of our
citizens.
To those who have had the direction of this
great enterprise, and to whose inyincible firm.
ness, and interchangeable and indomiiable energy
and perseverance, we owe its contamination
we give you hearty welcome
To the officers OF other similar enterprises,
who are engaged in these great works Of i'm.
Prosement, and have met to rejoice with us
this day, we give YOU sincere and cordial
welcome
To the stockholders, who through an unpara-
leled pressure Of monetary ailairs have furnished
the means; and to all who by their aid and in.
fluence, have sustained the hands and encour-
aged the hearts OF the friends Of this euterprse
we give you hearty welcome.
To all invited guests, TO the gentlemen of the
Press, and to all who have met TO rejoice with
US this day and on this occasion, We give you
hearty welcome"
Afterwards the audience were addressed by
Col. Al'ah Croker, the President of the
Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad, Rev
Thos. Whiitemore Of Cambridge, Messrs. Chap
man Of Greenfield and Dodge of Northampton
and enlivened by capital song from Mr. Dodge
Of Boston. As we intend to give the speeches
more at length next week, We shall now only
shy of ihem that in general they were able and
Interesting, and served, we believe, to satisfy he
friends of the Road that It's construction has been
well and skilfuly done amid great and perplex.
ing endorsements and thnt the stock of the
Road will eventually pay full dividends.
The meeting separated late, in the best feel
ing and at + NJ. Convention was held to
take measures for the construction of the Road
to Bellows Falls. 1t was also fully attended, and
after free interchange of views, and several adj.
dresses, which We will notice more fully hereaf-
ter, resolution was adopted for holding Con-
vcnton in this place, on The 5th of March next,
so that all the various interests affected by the
Road may be present
In the evening, a splendid Ball was given at
Wantastiquet Hall, which was tastefnlly and
beautifully fitted up for the occasion-of which,
more hereafter.
1t was matter Of regret with our citizens,
that they were not able 10 furnish lodgings for
all their friends aud guests. We did all we could
for them. Every house in the village had open
doors for all that could be accommodated, but
st.'l some two hundred had uncomfortable berths.
To the Committee of Arrangements general.
ly, and especially to those who had charge of the
culinary department, great credit is due for,thc
excellence of the arrangements for the dinner,
and Of the catables. provided. Nothing the
tables presented however, was received with
greater favor than the hot and delicious coffee,
which elected the universal commentator of all
the guests.
Every thing passed of pleasantly, as far as we
cou'd Judge and our quests from abroad seemed