Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-04-10


sentative course, and declaring the opinion
that he will be supported in the section Of
the county whence it is made, without dis
tinction Of party.
L. Tennessee and Va. Railroad.
Our readers are aware that the 9th
March was the day set apart for breaking
ground on the East Tennessee and Vir-
GINA Railroad, at a point called ':Strawber-
ry Plains" Accordingly about three thou
sand persons, many Of whom were ladies,
assembled at the point for the commence
ment of operations, and after the appoint
ment of Marshals, Committees, Presi-
dent, Sccretaries--in short after some sys-
tenn was adopted for organizing the i'm
mense crowd, into something like con
trollable meeting, the meeting was opened
with prayer, and the Hon. VIM. b. Reese
Of Knoxville, President of the day, then
made an eloquent and effective speech in
support Of the policy Of Internal Improve
ments and especially in vindication of the
East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad-
He was followed by another gentleman, at
the conclusion of whose speech the pro-
cession was formed, feaded by the Presi-
dent and Directors Of the Company who
were followed by the Ministers of the gos
pei and Immediately after these came the
file of ladies What an interesting sight,
and how encouraging to thesterner sex, to
see our mothers ard sisters and dauoh-
tiers, not only giving countenance to every
laudable scheme for the Improvement of
the country, the advancement of happi-
ness. and the promotion of virtue, but ac-
tually marching in procession and partici-
pating In the festivities of railroad cele.
bration. But women are right by instinct,
men are only SO by reason, and hence, alas,
they are so often wrong!
After the company had arrived at the
place ttr the commencement Corporations,
thefollowing proceedings took place, which
we extract from an official account in the
Knoxville Register:
AT the conclusion of Mr. Ferguson's remarks.
Gen. Brazelton then formed the procession, in the
order mentioned, and proceeded to the point of
commencement, when large circle having been
formed, the ladies occupying the front the impor-
tant work ofthe commencement Of the East Tennos-
see and Virginia railroad took place. Dr. Samr b.
e. Pra nf rbn n III
the distinguished honor to strike the first blow in
this great undertaking, with the beautiful pickaxc
presented to MIR. Ferguson by Gen. Bmzelion on
behalf of Messrs. Howell, Willhight & Co. East
Tennessee Manufacturers. The Directors of the
Company each did some diggiag, and the way they
performed the work showed that they were in ear
nest and nobly stimulated to press onward to spec
dy completion this great connecting link of railroad
which is to bind together the north and the south in
political and social as well as commercial ,,,ion-
Many vigorous blows were struck, and when the
work OF commencement was fairly and actually com
menced, motion of Gen. Brazclton, three cheers
were unanimously ,enthusia stcally and heartily Civ
en- for the East Tennessee and Virginia railroad-
The long and loud shout that went up from the as
sembled multitude numbering at the loves, csii-
mate at from twenty-five hundred to three thousand
persons, evidence, actual, positive and concu-
sive, that the people in heart and sentiment for
this grand enterprise.
AT TIE confusion of the imposing ceremony Of
commencement Gen. Brazclton formed the process
sion, in the order in which they the poin, of
commencement, and proceeded another part of the
beautiful grove, in which the proceedings were Ind
where they were invited to parake of the generous
hospitality of the citizens ofJecrson county A long
table, covered with profuson of good and substan-
tial eatabes was quickly and entirely surrounded,
and although every one ate to his hearts content,
and seemed to do entire justice the subject, an a.
bundance was left, thus showing as Judge Peck hui
norousy said, in replying the remark of gentle
man in the morning, who had said, that the people.
had either come there for the loaves md fishes or
for the important object of boholdine the com
mcncement of the rail road, that wanted this rail
road to transport our surplus products to market.
After dinner. the citizens again assembled at the
stand when they addressed by II. H. Hubbard
Esq, and Rev. VIM. Minis in good and effective
speeches. in relation the great enterprise fair
" commenced, spirit of the utmost harmony and
union prevailed in relation TO the whole undertaking
Everything off in admirable style, and it was
ofhigh qualification to all the friends &c the
r sad, that many beautiful ind intelligent lid
honored them, and gave the aid Of their presence
and smiles this patriotic and glorious work. Alto
gether, Thursday, 81 March, 1851, was, and will
be regarded a great and glorious day for East
Tennessee, and not East Tennessee alone, but the
south and the north too, and 1.-THE uaia-netc and
torcye,-0ae and iRseparaJie.'
We may appropriately introduce in this
cohheAioh' 'iie suoJoihcd extract OF let
ter from Gov. Jones, who had been inyi
'eo " '''' al ou' y" Ho was prevented
from attending, by imperative OBLIGATIONS
to his own road. 1t will be seen that he
expresses entire confidence in the complete
,,coos. ~ ,Lo ,,,,,,.,,,.;,. l;al. L. III:
i'' "''i NC 'ni'iAS
the State cannot fail to and, and which he
wv :, 'P'