Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-10-09
Tie RAILWAY OpenIug-1rr. vInron.

ing excellent letter from Mr.. Vinton,
in reply to an invitation to be present
at the opening Of the Big Miami
Railway from this city to Dayton.
1t will be read with lively interest by
the citizens of the City and of the
valley generally.-Cin. Gaz.
GALLrPoLs, Sept. Is, 1851.
S. S. L'Hommedieu, Esq, Prest. of
the c., H., and D. r. X. Co.
M Dear Str:-I received by the
last mail, your valued letter inviting
me, at the request Of the Board Of
Directors of the Cincinnati, Hamil-
ton, and Dayton Railroad Company,
to join them in their opening excur-
sion from Cincinnati to Dayton, on
the 18th inst. l regret very much
that other engagements will deprive
me of the great pleasure | should
feel in joining in this interesting ex-
cursion through the fertile and de-
lightful valley Of the Miami. II my
engagements would even permit it, |
am not sure that, at the present stage
of the Ohio, | could reach Cincinnati
in time, were to make the attempt.
| must therefore content myself with
the assurance that, in mind, heart,
and feeling, shall be present with
you, and though at distance, as the
next best pleasure TO being actually
present, / shall not fail 10 reflect with
the deepest interest, upon the impor-
tance of the achievement which, by
most laudable enterprise and per-
severence will that day be completed,
and added to the many great and
truly wonderful things which have
been already accomplished in your
populous, intelligent, and highly pros
porous region of the State.
This is one Of those occasions that
irresistibly forces the mind 10 the
contemplation of the past, the present,
and the future, in all that relates TO
your lovely Valley and the Queen
City of the West, which sits proudly
enthroned at its portals.
On recurring back to the past, one
cannot forget that some of these ad-
venturous men are still living, and
will probably join you in your excur-
sion, who planted their then youthful
feet upon your virgin soil, when
your now powerful valley was will
derpess, over which savage men and
savage beasts had full dominion
Men who have seen the forest, and
the inhabitants Of the forest, melt be-
fore them like the mist Of the morn
ing, to make wav for fruitful fields,
teeming cities, and an enlightened
population. What must be the feel
ings, and what the unutterable emo
tons of those venerable men, when
they turn their thoughts back to that
dark and gloomy beginning, and re-
trace, step by step, in their vivid
memory Of the history Of your val
ley, its advancing. expanding, and
ever rising progress up to the glorious
vision of the great creations of art,
of industry, of enterprise, Of science,
of religion, and of humanity, that
now surround them? These combi-
ned, make up that present of which
you have a right to be proud, and to
challenge a comparison with any
people Of the same age that does or
ever did exist. And this feeling, let
me assure you, is not confined to you
alone, for wherever we go, you are
the pride and boast of US, whose lot
is cast in a less favored region OF the
same noble State.
But great, and glorious and en-
chanting rs the present is. you will
remember that your destiny is not
yet accomplished-that you have be-
fore you a still greater future-that
it is that future which chiefly con-
Germs you-that which you are to
provide for. Tie enterprise which
you have now completed, great, use-
ful and noble, as it undoubtedly is,
and proud as you have a right to be
OF it, when considered singly by it.
self, is nevertheless, when viewed
with reference to results, but one of
the multiplied instrumentabilities,
moral and physical, which are essen
tiaI to the full accomplishment of
your destiny. 1t may be difficult to
foretell, with certainty, which will be
benefited most by your road, the city
or the country; but the advantages
to the city being concentrated, must
be more marked and striking. II the
many and varied advantages to the
city of Cincinnati be carefully con-
sidered--its admirable geographical
position-the great extent and fertil-
ity of the country which is tributary
to tits majestic river-its noble
canals and railroads, that are and are
to be, and above all, the untiring in.
dustry and indomitable energy of her
people, is it too much TO predict that
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