Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-01-14

ed from her limited capital, and still more Limited
population, you find her standing foremostin the
early development of that great system OF Internal
Improvement, which has since contributed so large
ly to the advancement and prosperity of the whole
country. With the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
complete, the State of Marylnad will have invest
ed in networks ofInternal Improvement within her
limits and beyond her iimts-rnore that forty mil
lions of capital 1t is with feelings of pride as
Mnrylander, that have it in my power to reierto
n fact SO creditabIe to her energy and public spir
l.. Applause.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was common
ced on the 4th of July, 1928. There are those
present who witnessed the enthusiasm which at
tended the laying ofthe first stone by the illustri
GUS Charles Carroll, of Carrollton eLarum ct Uer
enbiLe uOmeu. [Nir. Swami here produced the tTow-
ell which had been usedby Mr.. Carroll, and pre-
served by the company with this memorandum
f.This trowel was used by Charles Carroll of Car
rollton to lay the first stone ofthe Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, July 4, 1887 Mr.. John B. Nor
rs, whodelivered the address OF the President and
Directors of the company, took occasion TO remark
upon this interesting event.
'Tnt The full possession of his powers, with his
feeling and affections still buoyant and warm, he
now declares that the proudest act of his life and
the most important in its consequences TO his coun
Try, was the sgnnIureo Of Independence: the nert,
the laying of the first stone of the to>rk tchich is to
perpetuate the union Of the American States: and TO
,uater the East and the West as one AousthOli the
facilities Of intercourse, aud the feelings Of mutual
gBeetiOn.'' ssss<E
The estimate which had been formed at that ear
ly day, the character and results of the enter.
prise, may be gathered from the closing remarks of
thu editors Of the American, in their report of the
proceedings.
''The undertaking just commenced, is of mag
nitude and cost that, as the phrase runs are wor-
thy emperors. Tospeak in language more appro-
pirate and more just, they worthy of the illumi-
nation, practical sense and irresistible enterprise,
offree States. That they should be fearlessly en-
countered by single city ofso small comparative
size, unasSsted in the first instance, flom any other
quarter, is as far as we know, unparalleled and de-
serves success, if it does not command it., and wt
take our leave of this subject naturally interest
ing to u.s. by wishing with all our hearts, an indie
fatigable prosecution, and a triumphant compile.
tonto the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
EEThe commencement of the work west of Cum
bcrland was entered upon in 1s49. My first visi
the letting of about sixty miles from Cumberland
| westward. In company with few friends and thu
Chief Engineer, traversed the narrow horse-patl
which had been constructed, toopen way for tn
| inspection of the line. Itwould be impossible 70
| nee to describe TO you now, the effect which thi
| first impression left upon me. We had been charg
! ed nthe city If Baltimore, with attempting !mpos
Sibilities, and was almost brought to the convic
! ton, that our assailants were no. without som
ground Of complaint Such was my anxiety, i
consequence of this visit that deemed i: impol
tant to the credit of the Company, that the mpres
Sions made upon should. not be permitted I
tranSpire. l sincerely believe that if the people
! Baltimore could have avaied themselves of the or
| portunitieS of witnessing what we were about
attempt, in the then feyerish state of the publ
| mind the road would have been abandoned. We
| sir, the Chief Engineer might have been at til
time, prisoner in some safr hands, for attemptin
] TO impose on the public creduity, and IS for me
1t is difficult TO say what disposition would hav
| been deemed most appropriate for me. Instead
rejoicing with you in this great trillmphUf huma
labor, might have been shining mark in som
Lunatic Asylum, and it may be, persuaded to &C
QuieSce in the justice of their sentence. These
"reminiscences to Is hich refer, as part of the his
tory Of this great work, now that the storm and tn
whirlwind have ceased to beat up II its path
Great applanse.)
Tie next most interesting epoch in the history Q
this road, was the working o. he high grade oitl
feet. We were told the story of a man who ha
built mill, without first nscertaining where h
was to get the water 10 put it in motion. A roc
was being constructed at a cost of millions and W
g were yet 10 satisfy the public that could max
it availa!Ie for locomotive power.
This road was openetl to Piedmont in 1851, ,yhel
it wasthought expedent to test this great problem
There are those present who will not forget tina
interesting occasion. We left Baltimore with
Large company ofour municipal authorities, and til
leading dignitaries Of our city. Both The Chief En-
gineer andmyself, thought it advisable, if we wer
doomed to fall in this lust effort, that should b
in good company. E,Sa -
The train having reached the foot of the heav!
grade, twas agreed that the Chief Engineer SHOULD
take his stand upon the engine, where, inthe even
ofdiscolnftnrc, he might conceal his shame in the
| smoke, in which he would soon be enre!oped. ]
onthe otLer hand, who gas most likely 10 be hell
responsible, lreIn the position which occupied
| deemed it convenient to take my stand at an Ope,
do9r of the car, with view to more really aecss,
! 10 the moods. g u - q .tssE
In this situation we commenced the ascent ofthi
heavy grade. 1t twas moment of intense anxiet,
not as to the result, Mr.. Mayor, for we knew wet
what that resultwoula be; but as to the elect o
any casual mishap, from whatever cause. upor
those who are 50 nnxiously awai.ipg.the issue. A
good luck would have It, however, the iron hors
did his duty without faltering-the summit wa.
reached, and the hurruhs of the multitude pro
cIained that this last triumph was complete
Great appIause-) sr.ss.g u
AS 10 tho power Of overcoming high grades. Mr.
Mayer, we claim to heve taught lessen to the
world. During the whole of the past summer, thi
Company carried the United Stntes Mail over ,
grade of $50 feet to The mile. without the aid Of ps