The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-01-11
Correspondents If the Gate City.
The Mmllrond Celebration nj low

Iowa Cry, Jan. 4tt 1856.

ton OF Yesterday came oil with "alI the
pomp and circumstance attending such oc-
casions. 1t had elected the attention and
interest Of our town for several weeks pre-
vious, and was hailed by most Of our cit-
zens as ''the great day for Iowa City.
There was but one element il the slair
which married the beauty Of the festival, and
that was a stumbling block from the begin
ming, the apple Of dfscord which DESTROYED
the united action Of the eomhunity, and
caused many to oppose the whole celebration
who were otherwise as DESTROYS Of commem
Grating the event as the most Jealous advo-
Gates Of Railroads could bc,--that element
was liquor In one Of the first meetings Of
the general committee, special committee
was appointed upon liquors, but that becom-
were not, out Of principle, willing that their
money should be appropriated to the getting
Of men drunk, the name was changed to the
committee on refreshments, while dancing,
&C., was referred to the committee on 'Sother
festivities" This expression, BY some sort
II enalage, was used with much Significance
In spite, however, Of the efforts Of the
temperance men, wines were purchased to
the.amount Of some three or four hundred
dollars, By the committee on refreshments,
Or "oth.r festivities, who could not posi-
bly, see how Railroad Celebration conld 90
off without steam. An Indignation meeting
was held by the temperance men, on the night
of the first, and resolution. passed denounc-
ing this matter.
Aside from this feature Of the cele5ra-
ton, the preparations Of the committee were
most complete aud praiseworthy The most
ample provision was made for tile accommo-
cation Of invited guests, ana the table was
set in the most profuoe aud sumptuous man
ner.
The day was intensely cold, notwitlstaud-
ing which, the town was filled with large
concourse Of people.
The ears left Davenport a about O'Clock.
and reached the city ut , Il. ", their arrival
being announced by the firing Of artillery.
The train consisted Of seven passenger cars,
some Of winch, ! understand were from
Muscatiue. some Of the guests were from
New York, but mostly from Chicago, Dny-
enport Rock Island, and Muscatpe.
They were received in tile Representatives
Hall Of the State House, in an appropriate
address by lie Grand Byington, The President
Of the day This was responded to By Dr.
Maxwell, Of Chicago.
In the evening, the capitol was packed to
oyerAowing. The President Of the day was
particularly witty during the evening, and
KEEP the company in a broad grin Of good
humor.
The table was the admiration Of all, both
through the eye and the palate, and the IN
dies Of Iowa City were the recipients Of
many deserved compliments. After supper,
dancing vas the order Of business il tie
House, while head-work ia the way Of toasts
and responses, contra heel work, was the or
der in the Senate Chamber.
John a. Dix, Of New York, responded u
the first regular toast, in which he showed
By statistics tho superior advantages Of the
Mississippi and Missouri Railroad route, and
the glorious future which awaits it, lie was
followed in responses to regular toasts, by
Judge Grant, Of Muscatine, DR., Maxwell, OF
Chicago, also by Mr. ogden, and Mayor
Boone, Of Chicago, Mr. Dillon, Of Dayen-
port, Mr.. Judd, Mr. O'Counor, and others.
The speeches were all pithy, and loudly
cheered
The dancing was engagedin with the great
est ayidity, and though brain seemed to have
the advantage IN the start, hcels we're the
longest winded, and no doubt would beat in
the long run.
The music was abundant and good. Two
Brass Bands We're present from Davenport,
besides the cotillon band ana the military
music with the company from Davenport.
+" Other Festivities" BY rule was confined
TO the basement, but de facto wormed itself
all over the State house, and several speci-
mems Of young America, however light the
fantastic toe may be, seemed to have still
lighter heads, which doubtless would have
gone up but for the ballast Of brick.
Much Of the drinking was III the Offices be-
low, and while politico-fast horses and pretty
women were being discussed in one
The star spangiei Banner,
With the most melitiuous moduatioDs and
uhooonded eelat, was beard. being .aug i'll
the adjoining.
Thus the affair was kent M MI the piybt