New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-06-13
THE GREAT RAILROAD EXCURSION

seoi'cu HVm Clncmn1u on the Onlo ana Mis5lssp DID
Railroad at and 81 a. m. yesterday reached the VI ;
.sissppi near midnight. The day was dnzzy, and the
CHI ef incidents Of the journey with most Of the comma
ny q out Of the frequent appearance and disappear
ance o, estsbles and drnksbes, which were provided
with the greatest profusion. The road passes bewaen
Cen HarriAon's residence ssd the North Bend which
gave it its name. TIL you have reached vincsrnes.
you look in vain for prairie. The southern ps1 Of
Indiana, in the main level appears to be thick grown
with the delicate and gracefsl beech, and you
catch gmpses Of the White River snd other stream.
from time to time. But the instant one leaves Vim
cenbes, where we bad most exceIlen: dinner and
hearty welcome from the inhabitants of the quaint old
| French town, Of which sorry that the rain
prevented from seeing more-the instant one has
crossed the Wabash the scenery changes and the
prairie begins and little else il 10 be seen on the whole
| journey through Egypt. At Sandovsl, where the
Illinois Central connects, crossed the Grand Prairie
As the rain ceased toward night saw sunset on
the prairie reminding Of sunset on the ocean
Just after we had lost sight Of the itself the red
evening sky at the horizon with few dark floating
clouds above suggested to new travellers in the Nest
the famous fire the praries. All the Hcosers and
Sucker, whose log or frame houses steamed
turned out TO and from every clearing where the
| train stopped came a cheer. At Mitchell indeed
which is cleft in the woods, the seven house
holders of the place had formed brass band and blew
themselves very red in the face in our honor What
was their condition after the 18th car had passed is
not within the knowledge of the present writer. As
night fell track lay, whenever left the prairie
between houses all ablaze with lights, while the vii
lage ive-pounder rOareda welcome Egypt certainly
had an idea for once and is likely to have more
through the agency, direct and indirect of this great
avenue of civilization which INN eiiaely connects
the East with the West and is destined TO plant cities
Of intelligence and freedom all along its line.
We approached st. Louis through lines of torches,
and were greeted with cannon, bands of music and
few words Of welcome from Mayor Winner. We spent
the night on board four enormous Mississippi steam
boats, where were royalty feasted at supper, and
easted ourselves with looking the Father of Waters
and the lights of the city. The fireworks we were
promised attempted to come off, am told at some
O'Clock in the morning. being asleep at the time but
the rain had damped their ardor and they only flashed
and went out again. An early breakfast glance at
our new friend the Mississippi, and steamlng up.
After couple of hours sail on the river we were
escorted to carriages and driven by the easy stages
which an immense procession is always obliged to
take to the Agricultural Fair grounds three or
four miles from the evee. Beautiful grounds they
are; the fsest for the purpose, have no doubt, in
the United States Rolling prairie land originally, and
the soil is covered with luxuriant growth of grass
and adorned with beautiful groups of trees 1t is ike
driving in gentlemans lawn or through his park.
In the center is amphitheater capable of seating
not less than $4,000 people with fountains sprnging
ND on either side of the pavilion in the center. The
blue ribbons which adorned our butonholes, admitted
us at once to one side Of this amphitheatre,
where tables spread and seats pro-
vided. On payment of halfdolar each
the crowd Of those not excursiorists being adj
med crowded the opposite semicircle. Presently in
marched company after company of militia, of fremen
with their hose carriages and of German societies,
bands playing all the while Horsemen darted TO and
fro and the gayest uniforms in the world shone in the
SUM- Almost like tournament especially when the
Turner'S came in it looked ike tournament before
the lances were put in rest. We had, of course,
great deal of marching and cOuntermarchng, and
great many military evclutions, which were done very
creditaby. The st. Louis Grays, who did escort
duty, were particularly noteworthy. In bearing, drill
and appearance they would compare fayorably with
the best Of the New York companies. Altogether,
it was splendid parade. Then came a song
from the Sanger BuId. and then, after O'Clock.
Judge Bates of St. Louis, formerly United States
Senator, made speech, the only fault of which wa
that it was too long for hungry men who had break
tasted at g. Judge Bates spoke of the grand future
Of the Mississippi Valley, and rideuled the claprap
about Union in q manner, and to an effect, not IN
nleasng 10 listen TO in Slave State. sorry that
his remarks could not have been made to audience
less busiy occupied with securing seats at the dinner
tables But the gong sounded, and we all fell to with
will. At the dinner-which was not railroad din
ner at all but an ample provision for four or five hun
bred more than parook of all the delcacles OF the
season-one thing was observed, which 1t would be
unfair to mention were it an isolated case, but
which illustrates frequently characteristic OF
Young New-York not greatly to its credit. One or
two parties Of youth, who " in society" began
their dinner by emptyng al the strawberry dishes
within reach into their own saueers, and putting all
the bottles Of wine they could 10y hands upon after
filing their own tumblers under the table to keep for
future use During the residue of the dinner they
conducted themselves similar prncple-the prin-
ciple tina. obtains among animals who are not in
s,cietv" Is il at FiAh-avenue midnight suppertables
| that such manners are learned
After dinner, speech making went on amongthe de-
egations from various cities each Of which passed res
outions in praise of the openhapded generosity OF ST.
Louis and Of the fine show with which she had enter
tanned her guests IL the evening bonires and fire.
works were to be seen in the principal streets and
many of the principal houses threw the light of hospi-
tally out of every window, making the passers-by their
guests for the evening. We had opportunity also at
what is called strawberry sort Of fair where
Young men are yctimzed ard smiles coined into sill
ver-of seeing some OF the St. Louis beauties. Were
| il worth willie to induce unmarried New-lOrk TO re
move to this city, would attempt ,keteh OF the face
which belonged to her who evidently the belle OF
tie evening. But forbear for the sake Of the IN
! married better half Of NewlOrk.
/ n.,IA i,n - rxafli