Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-01-12
PRESENTATION OF PLATE.
.lEonomr &c ,...arn xEenonr i. due,

similar post on the Lynchburg and Tennessee
Railroad. Previous to severing his connection
however, the Mechanics and other Agents Of til
Company, with whose fortunes he had been 8
long ideuIfed, caused u service of silver plate {
be prepared and presented to Mr.. Sharp, as
testimonial of their appreciation of his characte
as man and an officer.
| The presentation was made by Edwin Robin
son, Esq, President of the Road, in the presence
of aarge number of the employees of the com
pany. Mr.. R. made the following appropriate
remarks on presenting the pate manfesting
truly manly and honorable emotion in the course
of their delivery:
Nh. SHARP In obedience to their wishes
aud iu unison with tho feeling which prompt
their action, | hive the qualification to present
YOU, on behalf of the Mechanics aud other
Agents of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomac Company, the silver plate now before you,
as a testimonial Of their appreciation of your
character as man, and an officer. aud feeble
tribute of their affectionate regard for who.
whilst dscharging most faithfully bis duties au
officer, never omitted those kindly courteses
which ever adorn human nature.
These memorials of esteem. MIR. Sharp, sim
most highly priced by you under the circumstan
ces. They come as you aware from indiyid-
uals OF limited means. but at the same time, aud
no one knows it better than you do, they emannte
from long tried and trusty friends OF such to-
kens a monarch, indeed, might we'll proud for
monarch's smile nor monarch's frown could win
this testimonial of regard FROM the honest hands
and hearts which now SO cheerfuly tender it to
you.
Mr.. Sharp, the moment is near ut hand which
is to witness dissolution of your long tried aud
faithful connection with the affairs of the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Company,
and therefore, the humble artizuns and agents of
the Company enjoy the satisfaction of knowing
that, in your estimation, the offering now made
can possess alloy of selishness or unworthy
motive their part. If selfsllness intrudes
at all, it may be found in the hope which they
entertain, that at moments OF leisure and relief
from those arduQus duties which you are about
to assume on behalf of another company, these
simple memorials. rs your eye rests upon their
inscriptions may bring wildly to your mind the
association connected with the service of each
person heretofore under your superi1ende
aud the thought that such may be- the case, will
tend to stimulate them tue continuance ola faith
ful discharge of the duties in which you have
instructed them with much care nddevotion.
In conclusion, Mr.. Sharp, have now, with the
plate to which ! have referred, only to tender
the heartfelt wishes of your old associates and
colaborers, that henceforth health and happiness
may attend you, and that all your ways may be
ways Of peasantness aud all your paths peace.
Mr.. Sharp, with deep emotion, responded
nearly as follows:
Gentlemen 1t is well known to you NIL that
am not in the habit of making speeches, and you
I,c,1L L
may mark the present one from me. In receiv-
ing these liberal testimonials of the feelings of
esteem aud kindness which yeu entertain towards
me, can only say, that | thank you truly earn
estly and heartily, for their exhibition and de-
yelopment. | have no language adequate to ex-
press my feelings at this unwonted expression of
esteem. You can imagine them better than |
can speak them. | have been engaged in the
service of this company for over thirteen years;
many here present have been engaged in like
service for extended period; but of my
connection have simply 10 state, with sincere
pleasure, that during its entire period, you have,
at all times willingly and faithfully carried out
my Instructions, and have, in all respects. en-
deavored promptly and zeaously to promote the
Interests of the company. have no doubt that
those feelings will influence your action in the
future. as they have in the past. l again thank
you kindly for the courteous and gentsmanly
treatment which have ever received from YOU,
and earnestly hope that He who rules the desti-
ny of all men, will ever bless you with health,
prosperity and happiness
The assembly then retired.
The remarks of the speakers on this interesting
occasion, were reported for tho Dispatch, to
which paper we are Indebted for them. The
compliment conveyed to Mr.. Sharp by this
tae annual 6nas honor nlika nd
to those from whom it emanated. 1t does not
always happen that officers and men part In
peace. Dissimiarity of views, conflicts of opn-
ion, and jealous though often mistaken views of
personal rights, combine, alas! too frequent
ly to produce discord and heart-burnings,
among men whose interests and feeling are or
ought to be closely allied. Happily for Mr..
Sharp, whilst dscharging his whole duty to the
he has nevertheless been so fortunate
as to win the respect and esteem of all by whom
he has been surrounded. This we take to be the
highest evidence Of ability and integrity.
Tho resignation of Mr.. Sharp created vacancy
in the management of the affairs Of the company
which it required the utmost circumspecton to fill,
because the Offices OF Superintendent of Transporta-
ton is acknowledged to be one OF great responsi-
bility With that regard fer tho claims of others,
and that Discrimination which has always marked
his ADMINISTRATION of the affairs Of tho Company,
President Robinson did not look beyond hi. own
household for Mr.. Sharp's successor. By div-
ding the duties of the office, he has been enabled
to promote two faithful off GERS, who have been
long connected with the conpuny, whilst at the
same time greater efficency--if the thing be pos
sible-has been secured. At his suggestion Mr..
S. Ruth, skilful engineer, has been appointed
Agent Of Transportation, and Mr.. VIM. N.
Bragg, (nastsr carpeuter) Superintendent of the
Road. These gentlemen are both energ etc,
systematic aud vigiant, and will, we are conf
dent. mainGain tho reputation of the road for