Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-11-19

thank you for this handsome present, and
I do not observe the names of
the generous donors engraved upon this
plate it matters but little, for they are
engraved upon the tablet of my
On his father resuming his seat, Mr.. w.
II. Black thanked the company, with much
feeling, for the handsome gift bestowed
upon him; and still more for the warmth
of heart and kind consideration, on their
part, which had dictated it.
The following toasts were then given and
duly honored:
BY Mr. James Findlay-
"Mrs. Black and Family"
By Mr. John Black
"The working Engineers on the st.
Lawrence 4 Atlantic Railroad"
BY Mr. W. IL. Black
"Mr. 7. B. McLennan, the able and ef-
icient Superintendent of the motive power
on the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad y
To which Mr. Mel. responded.
"The smiling Danes and blooming Las
ses of the Eastern townships
"The Corporation of St. Hyacinthe."
Responded to by DR.. Boutillier.
Mr. James Black then arose and said:
"Mr Chairman-With your permission,
| desire on the part of the guests whom
YOU have honored by an invitation to this
feast, to oiltra toast. In the olden time
of which We read, we learn, that it was
customary to honor the man who saved
the life of a citizen, with civic wreath.
All men everywhere agree in the proprlety
of rewarding those with honors, who have
distinguished themselves, by comforting
benefits upon their race If one life was
considered So valuable as to distinguish
the savior by so high reward, are we not
called upon to honor those who by their
toll and industry, Though in the humble
walks Of life, } may save many lives, and
who have added much to the sum of hu-
man comfort and happiness. L see before
me, men who have displayed a courage
and perseverance in overcoming difficulties,
and enduring priyations, such as no one
who now enjoys, IL ease and comfort, the
fruit Of their toll, can possibly conceive.
For the past two years the Contractors of
the St Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad, with
their laborers have been immured in a swampy
| forest, unapprclched by roads, and far from the
comforts OF lIfe. IN positions where in many cases
-four and pork, the chief articles of subsistence,
cOst. IN the transportation OF lew miles, more
han the original price. During those two years
they have lcyeled the forests, filled the valies,
II ducod mountains, and built railroad equal
10 any on this continent. The first apparent
benefit wrought out by their toll, is the opening
, ma ke 10 the Eastern Town ships, bringing to
l,s inhabitants cheap food, in exchange for the
products Of their industry. Who can calculate
The value of this one blessing, not only to the
pre- ert inhabitants, but 10 the thousands who
hall har.af,or I'll tho -nirs and cultivate the
nch soil OF the Townships Are not the men
by " HON this one blessing has been achieved, as
much entitled 10 honor. as he who ty his valor
aon The otken garland | think they are, and
thousands whom they have blessed think with
me- know ii is Customary, upon the completion
Of an enterprise like the one in which YOU have
been engaged, TO sing Te Deuns Of praise to the
President and Directors, and say TO them and
| hem lone the honor and the glory are due. But
| not So, Nr Chairman President and Directors
! aie often the least worthy and least entitled 10
public praise. whilst those to whom praise is due
are kept back by men in high places. Honor to
whom honor is due. You, Gentlemen Contract.
ors, are entitled to great part of The praise which
| is bes.ous ed upon Others. But, Gentlemen. from
selfish men we seldom receive a just reward. In
| after years, when you see the forests in which
you have cen immured for two years disappear
and give place to well Guilty a,ed farms and sm
ling hOmesteads; when the products of ihi.
region and the great West shall sweep in an
unhroken current towards the Atlantic, and the
produce OF every land and every cline, shall bs
received in retuTn; when you behold peace and
plenty. where now roam the elk, and the bear
,hen will you enjov your reward-the proud sat
isfacion Of having been instrumental by youl
toll in bringing about this great result. But no
until the last page o! times records is written
will man he carahe of estimating the blessing:
wrought out by your hands. nor measure The
honors due the Contractors OF the St. Lawrenc,
& Atlantic R-ilroad. Mr.. Chairman, I have tn,
honor to propose" Our host-, the Contractor
Of the 1t Lawrence g. Atlantic Railfoad-w,
thank them"
Mr.. 6. Barnes gave the heali b of Mr. Jsme
Black, who, having thanked The company for III,
honor done him added "All can say if any 0
YOU should visit old sylvanaia, whilst hav
a roof over me, you will find cup and platte
spread under it for you-if | have nothing else
1 can a, eas, supply you with some sour krau
and spsck :"
Alter the healihs Of the Chairman and Vice
! Charn, an had been given and responded to in
few appropriate words by those gentlemen, tn,
last toast OF the evening was given from th,
Chair, and received with "all the honors":
| MAY the Iron Horse of the st. Lawrence 6
Atlantic Railroad Company cross the line AS
before the l., January 1853"
! Nothing could have exceeded the perfect har
mony ol the evening-the dinner was got up in
excellent style by Mr. Savage, the wines were
| yremiere quGiits, and attendance admirable.
During the e,eningt Messrs. Roland and N
Govan, Couttactors, favored the company with
several excellent songs, and it was "ihe wee
shor, hour 'yont the l2," before they separated.
The following are the inscriptions engra
we'd upon the testimonials presented to the
Nessrs Blacks.