Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-06-04
AN INTERESTING INCIDENT.

The commemoration of the completion of the con-
nexion of the two great Railroads of Georgia. few
days ago, made the occasion of an excursion on
the line from Savannah to Columbus, Ca distance Of
three hundred miles,) by party comprising nearly
two hundred citizens of Savannah and Macon, who
most cordially greeted, of course, by the Co.
lumbians, Of both sexes and all ages On arriving
at the terminus of their journey, hearty welcome
was hidden to them in appropriate terms by Major
JOHN I'll. HOWARD, in which he made the remark
that, though we cannot escape the memorable law
of threescore years and ten, the improvements of
"the present age enable us to see more, and do
"more, and live more, than could be compassed
"by three times threescore and ten in olden times "
To this welcome the Hon. john MACPHERSON
BERRIEN responded, on the part Of Savannah and
Macon, in an impromptu reply, in which he Ger
tainly proved that threescore years and ten had
neither dimmed his intelligence, blunted his wit,
nor chilled either his piety or his patriotism.
After dwelling with proper earnestness and pride
on the accomplishment of this great enterprise and
the important consequences of its success, Mr.. B.,
addressing himself more particularly to the above
remark of Mr.. Howard, spoke as follows:
win result Savannah Macon those living all along
the line from the completion of this great work To you
also the benefits ncalculabe 1t has already put you
in communication with the broad Atlantic but it looks
also to the great West The noble enterprises of sis
ter State viii make your city Of the great portals
to and from the Atlantic through which pass the
valuable products Of the West and the rich which
they will command from abroad In constructing you
have DONE this last link in the chain Of this great tho
roughfare which opens to you and to us such boundes
prospects, you rendered service the value Of which
cannot be computed. The boundaries of State
once limited only by the Mississippi may not hope
through this enterprise to regain commercially the po
cal sacrifice which made when consented to restrict
limits to the western bask Of the Chattahoochee
Sir do not forget trust your felow-ctzens win not
forgethat for this last link Of the chain mainly
indebted to your individual enterprise energy and
yielding perseverance.
81 have only to add sentiment in which / am
you will with me- that with rejoicngs this
occasion we should mngle grateful Acknowledgements
to that mercifu Being, without whose aid all human
efforts vain, and who has graciousy crowned
ertions with success.
Sand now, sir, might conclude these desultory
marks, but that feel bound in frankness say you
that there is proposition in your very opposite and
eloquent address to which cannot assent nay sir, if
you win pardon me- against which must protest Sir,
there Is such memorable decree that Of which you
hare spoken. The benccce Of Providence 10 is not
limited 10 hreescore and ten deny your proposition
positively entirely absolutely and, in the language Of
profession, make prcfert, and demand the
Judgment Of the high ustcaries before With memory
and the reasoning faculty unmpared and with greater
physical health than in earlier life allotted NE,
wouid be Uontng gratitude 10 The GUer all Good III did
NOT maintain, do maintain that your proposition Is
utterly uounded No, sir you must not attempt by such
sophisy to yourself from continuing those mer
torous exerons by which you have heretofore acquired
just claim to the gratitude your contemporaries Your
obligations TO pcey Enacd 'drecscore aud ten.
earn you NOT 70 indulge iagorious ease under 50 isy
apretert."