The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-01-21


will forgive slight remind, II whatf say in
all kindness, shall be productive Of a better
understanding aud better feeling hereafter.
In their conclusion, in the case, we think
these gentlemen ihistook the true interests OF
the city; but we must concede to them the
ability to Judge Of that better than ourselves.
We know however that they not only mis-.
conceived our motives, but wholly rnisappre-
hended our position. Had we been the rep
resentatives Of close corporation which il
was admissible to use for the promotion Of
special or local interests, we could have made
the question Of route one oi negotiation and
contract; but such powers were not entrust-
ed to us. We were the agents Of the State
for the promotion Of a great public utility
Through our Charter we are endowed with
one Of the highest and most sacred attributes
Of Sovereignty-the right of Eminent Do
tmain-which would never have been conced-
ed except as n sacred trust, to be used for
great public ends and for such purposes on
y. The geographical position of our line
its relation to the commerce Of the great GEN.
tral belt, stretching from Wheeling TO St.
Louis through which that artery of the West
the National Road had throbbed the pulsa-
tions of travel for the last twenty years--its
position as great trunk line-all inspired a
consciousness of our responsibility from
which we dared not shrink.
The line of our location brings us into the
ravine of the Ohio about three miles below
your city; but as since the final adoption Of
the present route Of the Baltimore and Ohio
road our Company have not faltered for a
moment in their desire or design to make
their terminus at Wheeling, we have paused
at the mouth Of McMahon's creek for the
purpose Of selecting the best line and mode
of approach to the accomplishment Of that
object. Between the place Of our entrance
into the ravene of the River and this city,
two or three sites available for the passage
of the stream by a railroad bridge at an am
PIE elevation to avoid interference to naviga-
ton give unmistakable indication of what
mode OF transit would be best both for onr
Road and this city. But to accomplish this
we had no legislation from your State recog-
nizing our corporate powers and giving the
necessary authority. This might be done
with such guards MS shall protect from any
imaginable unfavorable result; and we ask
your concurrence. You can have the termi.
nus of our Road in the heart Of your city il
you will. Do you so wish it!
But, gentlemen, although l had more to
say, am conscious of having already ex.
hausted your patience and | will close. I
cannot however, do it without joining in
congratulations upon the event which has
brought this great crowd Of people together.
Not yet taught what continuous effort could
do, when the people of the West were told
quarter of century since, that Baltimore
had determined to unite herself with the
Great Valley, by an unbroken railway, the
matter was looked upon as chimera, about
which, pleasant speculations might be in
dulged; but from which could flow no sub
stantiai results. The then theory of railways
was, that lines nearly level and straight, were
indispensable to success. That such lines
could be obtained through the narrow and
precipitous defles Of even the approaches
to the Alleghenies, was known to be impos-
sible; and how those lofty ranges themselves
were to be surmounted, was a difficulty from
which even specuiution fn.igaed with vaga-t
ries, turned away lstlessly. But with an
unhagging purpose-through years of gloom,
ofsacrifcc, of labor, Of patient effort the SUBJ
lime conception moved on to its accomplish
ment Valleys were filled up-hills were
laid low-rivers spanned--precipices scaled
mountains mined through, and here at last
-afar from its starting place at the tide wat
er, sweeps the mystic train into this fair val
ley of the West.
When we view the vast expenditure Of
treasure, of physical labor, and of mental
toll upon the mighty work, the completion of
which we have met this day to celebrate, and
when we speculate upon the inestimable ben-
efits which it is to confer through all coming
time, we cannot but admire that boldness Of
conception which originated it, and the un-
conquerable will, which for the last three
years, has moved steadily towards its com
pleton, through every difficulty. 1t was Civ
en- rs an explanation of the character Of one
of our public men, who had the reputation Of
great firmness of purpose, that he could hear
more distinctly than other men, the footsteps
of coming generations. To this foreshad-
owing of responsibility to posterity, may
doubtless be attributed that disregard of ease
and present fame, which distinguish all great
achievements. The man who has pushed
this enterprise to completion, heard through
the streets of this beautiful city and along the
slopes of the Alleghenies, the tramp of COM
ing generations.
Mr.. Sullivan offered the following toast:
The city Of Wheeling: With one great
railway resting its terminus in her lap and
four others moving with iron steps towards
her, she may rest herself in the conscious
neess of secured destiny.
nJITO EGJCT TITDN