The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-05-18
Special Correspondence Of the Democrat.
The Editorial Excursion.

BALTIMORE, May 9th, 1850.
Cumberland is pleasantly situated on the
banks of the Potomac, is well and compactly
built, and presents an appearance OF thrift
and neatness quite unusual in Southern
towns. The scenery is beautiful. On either
hand, the Alleghenies lift their SUBMITS to-
wards the skies, clothed to their tops with
vordure; ravines cut them in various di-
rections, and new forms of beauty meet the
eye at every turn. have seldom if ever
seen 80 beautiful an inland town. Nor is it
deficient in historic interest. Old Fort
Cumberland opsthe north bank of the Poto.
mac, occupiesa commanding view of the
town. 1t was the place from whence Brad
dock started in his campaign against the
French and Indians, contrary to the advice
of Washington, which expedition terminates
in defeat. The road he made leads through
one of the gorges of the mountains, and
some traces of it are still visible few miles
from the fort. On the site of Fort Cum
berland that once bristled with cannon, md
where Notifications were erected to repel
savage foes, an Episcopal Church of the
Gothic style of architecture stands, and
where men and women Of the present re.
treat, not as of old. to protect themselves
from personal danger. but to escape from
lures. and to arm themselves for the en-
counters of temptations of daily life. On
the north side of the town Washington on
campod with his forces, and near by is a
ravine called Braddock's road, from the fact
that he brought his army through there on
bis way to Fort Cumberland.
Our Excursion Train left Cumberland at
8 o'clock A. M. The day was beautiful, and
the spirits of the party. refreshed by sleep.
were buoyant, gliding along on our tortuous
course up, up and still higher, we reached
Altemont, the highest point on the road,
which is 1920 feet above tide water, the
highest land crossed by any Rail Road in
America, and the highest but one in the
world, viz, the read from Vienna to Trieste.
From A,temont we descended rapidly for
distance of seventeen miles, through some
of the widest passes of the Alleghenies;
now along the banks of streams which, far
away below, scarcely send up the voice Of
their murmuriDg, as they rush on over their
rocky bods; then dashng through some
tunnel, where the light departs aud darkness
reigns supreme; and again skirting the side
of q mountain shelf, where the rock cut
down for our pathway, rises perpendicularly
almost an indefinite distance. Mountains
place themselves before US; mountains stand
! in our rear. Scarce half mile can be seen
| of the track in either direction; we seem in
labyrinth from which there is TO escape.
Yet still onward, never hesitsiing, never
doubling, onward dashes the iron horse, up
tho mountain side, down the valley, and
along the precipice, and finally emerging
from rocks and gorges, we find ourselves in
a more open country, and amid settlements
once more.
A ,ho., t;r, hofo.h .nooh;oo Mart;oshuro,
we loft the train to see the ruins of Fort
Frederick. now occupied as q sheep pen,
which WIS erected as defence against the
Indans, on the outposts of the settlements
and which, "a years ago, Washington in
spected on his way to join Gen. Braddock
at Fort Cumberland. Speeches were made
by W. p. Smith, Master of Transportation
of the B. g. o. Road, by Coleman Yellett, Of
Baltimore, and others, and a few minutes
we're pleasantly spent. When we reached
Martinsburg, we found flags flying, cannon
firing. Brass Band and martial music
The Berkly Border Guards in blue uniform
and Captain Wise's Artillery in grey. made q
fine appear ance. After an excellent dinner
speeches were made from the top of the
cars, by several gentlemen, that were
heartily responded to by the soldiers and
lcitizens assembled. Salutes were fred al
our departure, and tho greatest enthusiasm
prevailed. Martinsburg is the terminus OF
the eastern division of the road, and some
idea of it's business can be formed from the
fact, that ninety engines drawing their re-
spective trains leave this place daily. with
monthly receipts to the amount of $780,
900, seven.eighths Of which is from freight.
Leaving Martinsburg we stopped at Har.
per's Ferry, where the party visited the
United States Armory, and the scenes made
famous by John Browns invasion. The
Engine house where Brown barricaded him
: self, remains as when he left 1t, except the
doors that wore broken down have been re-
placed by new ones. Bullet marks adorn
the walls, and the port holes made by Brown
and his companions to ArO upon their be