The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-12-03
MIDNIGHT DISPATCHES.
Inauguration Ceremonies Of the Union
Pacific Railroad.


Omaha, N. T Dec. 2.
The President of the United States
having fixed the initial point OF this great
national highway, the officers of the cor
poration have determined upon theed OF
December as the day for the Inauguration
of the enterprise by formally breaking
ground on the west bank of the Missouri
river in front of this city. kilograms an
nouncing this fact we're received at an
early hour this mornin :. Two o'clock D.
NJ. was fixed upon as the hour for the
commencement of the ceremonies. At
the appointed time at least 1000 persons
had assembled upon the ground Gov.
Saunders, Of Nebraska, the Mayor, Coun-
Gil aud citizens of Omaha and Council
Bluffs, and various distinguished stran-
gers were among those present.
AT three O'Clock amidst the roar of ar
tillery and the shouts of the assembled
multitude the engineer of the road. assis.
ted by several gentlemen with pick in
hand, commenced work. Gov. Saunders.
Augustus kountze, one Of the Directors.
and the Mayors of Omaha and Council
Bluffs, soon after proceeded to remove
the earth amid the cheers and rejoicings
of the people. The ceremonies being
concluded, Gov. Saunders briefly address.
ed the assemblage in substance as fol.
lows:
In meeting to open the grandest work
ever commenced by man, nothing less
than banding with iron the Atlantic to
the Pacific, opening thoroughfare for
all nations exchanging goods, produce.
teas and silks. emphstically making it the
highway of the world. This work is not
one of fancy. but reality. The great
masses OF this Union have taken hold and
resolved that the work this day oommen.
ced shall be rapidly pushed to compile.
tion. He concluded BY reading the sub
joined telegram from the President az
the United States, which was received
with great applause:
Executive Mansion, J
Washington, Dec. LIST, 1868. {
To Maj. Gen. Dix:
General: have not been permitted
until to-day to present to the President
your communication of the esd of Nov.
He directs me to express his deep regrets
that his illness will prevent him from Civ
ing expression to the profound interest
he feels II the success of work so vast
and beneficial as that which you ara
about to inaugrate.
nave the honor to be your obi serv't,
(Sigued) JOHN Hay.
Assistant Private Sec'y.
Geo. Francis Train, of New York. and |
various other gentlemen were called upon
and addressed the people briefly.
Dispatches were received from yarious
gentlemen.
The following are among the kilograms
read. to the large assembly, and several
points made by the writer's were loudly
cheered:
New York, Dec. 1.
10 Committee of Arrangements Of the
Union Pacific r. r. Co:
Your kind note inviting ne to attend
The ceremony Of breaking ground for the
MON Pacific r. r. in Nebraska has inst
been received. For the first time. as
'hlnk, since the foundation of the govern.
nent' the foreign relations Of the country
occupy the attention of this department
20 continually that its head Is oftAn
obliged to forego customary good Offices {
ind courtesies toward loyal citixena vho
ire engaged in developing the resources Is
+ the country, and establishing its do 9
nestle interests. For this reason I ean I
eply to your invitation only very hastily
nd very briefly. Of course cannot 90
. Nebraska, and therefore, l mus, de.
line. With your brave help, and that !
I your armed companies on sea and land,
hope We shall soon put down this .
FETCHED and wicked instruction against .
,e Union. With the help Of our CAPT. q
lists, our free and loyal laboring men, .
,e Union Pacific r. 4. can, and [ hope d
Ill be extended to the Pacific Ocean,
hen this ahau 3 DOM diaunion In =.