Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-04-06
LYNcnBuRo, April 4th, 1859.

Dear Trgin,an:
4 change has taken place in the shops of the
Virginia Tennessee Railroad Company, and MIR.
Geo. w. Glass has left us.
1t would be unnecessary for me to tell YOU that
the above gentleman stood very high i'll the cs'i
nation Of the employers and employees OF this
company, particularly So when they dcm'n-
srated the fact bv ussociating themselves together
for the purpose Of making him suitable present
her,re he lett us. and good old Lynchburg.
A meeting of the wnrkmen took place in the
Shops. on Friday last, after the men bad quit
work, and Mr.. Glass Icing sent for the following
proceedings took place.
The meeting being called to order Mr.. joseph
Shaw IN behalf Of the men, slept forward. and
with an appropriate speech presented Mr.. GLASS
with beautiful Gold Watch.
As it may interest some of your readers, will
give you copy of the speech. as well as the reply
of Mr.. Glass to the same.
Mr. GLASS IL meet YOU this evening Mt the re-
uucst of the employees OF this road, not Tor the
purpose of making speech but to say few
words in own plain way, which may not he
;nonpropriate to this Occasion. My duty, sir, is
both of II pleasant and painful nature, for we
nll know that the hest friends must part sooner OF
later We regret that the connection between US
and yau far as this road Ia concerned exists no
longer We thank for your gentlemanly conduct
TO us, at all times and under all circumstances.
We heli.ye YOU have discharged the duties OF
Master Machnist of this road with credit to your
self satisfaction to the employees, and to the best
interests Of the Company by whom you were en-
ployed.
Those friends around you, and many others,
VIII Sc duties would not admit of their being pres
ont on this OCCASION desire me to express to you
their heartfelt wishes for the welfare of yourself
and family and also to request you to receive this
small token of our esteem, not for its intrinsic
value but as a mcmcnt" of friendship, which We
feel will remind you of those friends and OF this
hour when your duties may call you far away
from this place. go
We believe, Sir, and we think you will agree
with us. that every iightminded man, no matter
whit his position in life may be, desires the good
will and respect of his fellow man, particularly
those with whom he is daily and hourly associated.
This respect, Sir, by your conduct while among
us. YOU have secured to its fullest extent.
1t now remains only for me to say. that when
vcu l"avo I.rnchburg, you may rest assured you
w. leave ,naay friends who ieel deeply interested
III your welfare.
On taking leave of you, we have one request to
make. that when you leave this room. and return
t,: ur own homc. you will present this small ar
,,. e., ar family with these simple words
,,i If Friendship from the Employees Of tic
VIRGINIA & Tennessee Railroad Company.
Mr.. Glass replied as follows:
Ma. Shawl have no words to express the
very strong emotions of my heart Mt this unex-
nec,el demonstration of kind feeling upon the
hart Of The employees of the Virginia Tennes-
So, Railroad Company. whilst | am conscious of
having aimel to discharge my duty fully towards
them. rs well as to the Company in whose service
I have been employed did not expect this more
than kind feeling at their hands. thank you,
SIR for the very hattering manner in which y"u
bay, leen pleased to convey the wishes OF those
ynu represent and con only assure you and them,
That the recollection of the past is unalloycd with
nn;uor regret, and that thall carry with m". NJ
mat or where my lot he cast, the. most pleasing re-
collections If Your kindness aud generosity. l
accent the gift of my leiiow-w"rkmen with Il sense
of gratitude to them that will only cease with
DEATH Gentlemen-
Th,u1h the eagle my change lts plume.
The leaf its hue. hower It's b pom,
Yet und this heart spun,
That would not, could not, be nndonc
Mr. Hugh Burford, d., then slept forward on
the part Of the apprentices. and presented lean-
tifui walking stick to Mr.. Glass; and spoke as fol-
lows.
MR. GLASS Having heard with much regret
that You are about to leave Us; we, the apprentices
Of the Y. & I. X. r. Company, deem it nadght
but proper to present to you suitable testimonial
Of our regard
The exticme kindness You have ever shown us,
while under your jurisdiction, will never he 70 :
gotten Ly any one Of us. AMI though tits who
say so, believe me when tell you that am only
he mnuth-pece Of my fellow apprentices, and but
eak their sentiments.
As you treated one so you treated the rest,
suwii z favors to none, but gave US oil an equa
caance " improve and instruct ouisslvts.