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

AT THE RAILROAD CELEBRATION IN WHEELING.
Mr.. A. NJ. Norton gave the following SEN
timent:
The President and Directors of the Gen.
trail Ohio Raj road Company-The rapid pro-
gress of their work is an evidence of their a.
bility and faithfulness. May their hopes of
an early completion of the Road to the City
of Wheeling be realized-when we may join
with the East and West in hearty congratu-
latons on the completion of continuous
Railroad connection between the Atlantic
and Pacific.
To which Col. ] II. SULLIVAN, President
of the Central Ohio Railroad Company, re-
sponded as follows:
Mr.. PREsIDENT-The sentiment embodied
one who makes no pretensions of ability to
interest you.
The Road which have the honor to rep
resent is partly in successful operation, and
the remainder in rapid progress of construc-
ton. BY next week we shall have an un-
broken line ofraiway between the cities of
GAINESVILLE and Columbus, distance Of So
miles. At the latter place we connect with
the whole railway system of the west-hav-
ing outlet by railway to Cleveland, Sandusky,
Chicago, Dayton, Cincinnati, indianapolis
and Terre Haute. East of Zanesville the
whole line to the Ohio in the vicinity of this
city, and in sight of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, is in the hands of contractors
some of the sections already graded, and the
balance in position for completion of the
entire line within eighteen months. BY the
fourth Of July, 1854, at farthest-we hope
earier-we expect to ask you to rejoice with
US over the completion of another chain that
shall bind the interests Of extremes together;
and add another assurance to the already Sc
cured prosperity Of your city.
Permit me, sirs, in this connection to sug-
gest that Notwithstanding the interest in the
Central Ohio Railroad which has just been
expressed, the citizens of Wheeling have not
fully appreciated the importance of this Road
to their welfare. Whilst most cheerfuly
concede to the Road that is now engaging
your enthusiasm, and to the several other
railways which the Baltimore road is attract
ing to your borders, all the value as great
commercial avenues which their friends claim
for them, hope shall not be charged with
arrogance in assuming that the Central Ohis
Road is more essentfal to the prosperity of
your city than either-perhaps, than all of
the others. With them your relation will be
principally as the medium Of transfer; with
his your business relations have been and
still are intimate-complete--I had almost
said, dependent. The region of country bor-
dering upon and penetrated by the Central
Ohio Road has done more to build up and
sustain your manufactures than all the bal
ance of the country together. You have here
tofore had control Of this trade. How will
you continue to control it, Only through the
Central Ohio ROAD. There Is significance
in this prospect which fear the people ol
Wheeling, generally, have not realized.
How is this to be accounted for? Delica.
cy, perhaps, forbids referring to misunder.
standing which occurred between your Rail.
road Committee and our Directory, but the
gentlemen who composed that committee