Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-11-06
The Rail Road Celebration

was the gala-day of enterprise in NORTHEASTERN
Missouri. The Sd of November, expected with
interest, has passed, and will long be held in
remembrance. The first shovel-full of earth
has been cast up on the iron highway, thatis to
link the two boldesto rivers Of our Country.
Sunny and cheerful happy token--awoke the
eventfu morning. At an early hour, our stall
wart farmers came pouring in on horseback and
= IN ,wagoDs ri s&ger "a witresa gho Ceqs,Rs,sy
and unite with ssin the jubilee. And our gal
liant corps of Marshals were scarcely prepared
to array their forces, before the noble steamer
Die Vernon, came dashing up in her best trim,
her decks crowded with st. Louisans, Ladies,
and Delegates military and civil. With de-
tour before the city, whilst theGreys stood with
arms presented, whilst the Band played salu-
tation, and our city ordnance was laundering its
best welcome, swelled by the voice of the as
sembed citizens, she landed and the disembar-
cation commenced. The delegates about 200
in number, formed on the wharf, and preceded
by the military corps, with the splendid Band of
the far famed st. Louis Greys, repaired imme-
diately to the Brady House, where they were
welcomed in behalf of the citizens, by the May
or. The welcome was warmly responded to on
the part Of the Delegation, in a few remarks
from his Honor, Joseph B. Kennel, ESQ. Citis
gems and strangers now scattered about in squads
and smiling faces betokened the general good
feeling on the, suspicious occasion. All things
Were now in readiness, the ringing of the church
bells announced the appointed honr, and the CON
course of'people that everywhere thronged the
streets, commenced moving. The procession
was soon formed, which marched through yari-
GUS streets, to the Public Squlre, the spot Sc
aectei for the inaugurating address,. There a
rostrum had been erectel, surroun led by a lin. /
ited nnm5er Of seats After an opening prAyer !
by the Rev. Mr.. Rush, our 'felloWI-citzen. Co.
Richmond, WAS q4!cl to tSo-eAqiir. Finally, the
assembly was permanently organized, by the APP =
'poinment of Thos. L.. Anderson, Esq, of Pail
rmyrt, assisted by numerous Vice Presidents and
Secretaries, from St. Louis, California, and she
adjacent counties.
Mr.. Anderson, upon assuming the Chair INA lie !
some. appropriate remarks-embracng' his own
opinions, of the Importance of the occasion, and !
ths feasibility Of the great scheme. H. then
presented to the lifting concourse J. B. Crockett +
Eslr., OF St. Loais, the orator of the day. Mr.
Ci9ckett's address was frau ht with the interest
an value OF thaSgreAL undertaking; his argu- !
Tnents clear and impressive; his style chaste ami
beautiful. We fsrnsh.it entire TO our readers,
that they may judge of its Truth and its merits.
A. al of
sive of the sense of the meeting were offered by |
Judge Cook and unanimously adopted. After
which general invitation from the citizens of /
Hannibal, was extended, to the collation., served /
in neighboring meadow, when the possession
reformed ami repaired 70 the spot, swelled by a /
goodiy number of ladies, We are gratifed to
learn the supply was amply sufficient. But not |
the astinteresting of the exercises was yet to
take place As the. President of the Board of /
Directors the ceremony of turning the. first I
shovel of earth devolved upon Col. Stewart.
At the instance of Col Stewart the Directors of |!
the Pacific Rail Road Company, very appropri-
atelv assisted in the breaking Of ground His
accompanying remarks were delivered in most /
impressive manner, and met with the hearty
concurrence of every auditor. Mssourians 7
could, he said, and would build the road with
or without the aid of Congress, and the time (
had come, when we should no longer urge our /
claims, as favors, but demand them as rights,
.upon the equality of sister States. Col. Crock
EFT was loudly called for, but on account Of
physical inability declined saying anything far
Their. With the remark, that he himse passed
for handsome man, he vacated the stand,
wishing, that an ugly friend Of his from st.
Louis should address the meeting. Vocferous
calls were now made for the ugly fricnd, when
Thorn Grey the st Louis blacksmith, rose, and
urged the necessity Of encouraging home manu-
facturers. He submitted the proprety of hav-
ing our Rail Road Cars built in Missouri, which 7
passed by reclamation.
The crowd now began to dispense, bat farther
speaking having been announced, respectable
number returned to the Pablo Sqlors, whsn
our representative of this District, Hon. Gill
christ Potter, with reiteration ana exposition
of his views upon the general system of Internal
Im2rovsneua, declnred himself the warm
advocate OF the por.icalar one the commence
ment of which, we met to celebrate. The meet
ing then, indefinitely adjourned.
D The day passed off without any disturbance
to mar the pleasure Of the ex ereises, and our
happy Jubilee closed with grand Rail Road
Bali at night 1t has made an impression that
will not De easily eradcated. North East Mis-