The weekly union record., 1864-02-20
Celebration Day.

In pursuance of previous arrangements aud
notice, the completion OF the California North
ern Rail Road, was celebrated IN this place,
last Monday. In giving details of the occa-
sion, it will be Unnecessary for US to give the
names of the different committees of the day.
\ vast concourse Of people, highly intent upon
giving and enjoying pleasure was in atten.
dance. In point OF weather, a more pleasant
day could not have been made to order -
Long before O'Clock 4. NJ, the hour of the
arrival of the train from Mary.vie, with the
Mayor and Common Council, the two Militia
ry Companies. and other invited guests, the
streets of our town were thronged with the
denizens of all parts of The county. 4 large
crowd had assembled at the depot when the
train arrived. The Oroville Guards, Captain
Hunt, and the Oroyile Artillery, Captain
Collins, had marshaled, in order, to the rear of
the freight house, and when the cars arrived,
bid the Marysville Rifles, Capt. EiIerman, aud
the Union Guards Capt. Hubbard, q hearty
welcome, by the thunder tones of the Little
Giant cannon, manufactured in Orovile, in
1861, by Mr.. Locherl. The committee of re
ceptiou was on the spot TO receive all who
came with a rousing good will. At about | ,
NJ, Hon. Thomas Wells. orator of the day,
delivered the reception address, and having
been favored with synopsis thereof, we will
let it speak for itself. 1t Was as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen, and Fellow Citizens
We have met today TO celebrate an occasion
OF ordinary importance. Our position geo
graphically speaking adds to its magnitude. We
are situated in the most western portions of the
domain constituting our great Union SIlch an oc-
casion as this. in the Atlantic States, would not be
OF such moment As II Is here. Many OF Us present
recolect that little over Ii years ago, the Digger
Indian and the grizzly were here contend nc for
supremacy. But few believed that, in less than
Is years, We would be celebrating the completion
Of the fourth railroad in California, over % miles
in length. rt n8t
II is fitting fhi, iav tthe completion o! the Cali
fornia Northern Eailroadl should he thus ceebra-
ted To invited and visiting guests do we extend
our open hands and hearts OF welcome We have
essr felt you of Marysyille to be our near neigh
bors. but feel that this day Won are brought
nearer 10 Us. by much as the iron horse eutruns
the stage coach and the wagon. In social. COM
merClal and other senses we feel that we are from
this Gag forth more nearly related and blended into
" one community. We have had many happy re
unions hereafter We will have many more and
happier ones.
1t viii Nos be inappropriate, perhaps, this oc-
casiOn- 10 state that the approximation 10
a Railroad, had in ancient time, was the .'Appian
Way in the palmy days Of the Roman Empire.
That was however sonly 4 road free from obstruc-
tons. constructed by proper gradstlun. aud paved
with blocks OF marble and other stones closely
together, 50 a 10 create easy and unObSt-3ctei
passage Of vehicles. Not until 1875. WAS Rail
road constructed which was in England, and only
fox the pRF>e Of transporting coal from vast col
( hery 10 point from Which its commerce diVergel
toiisereut points by other means of
IN l7as Gust one century after), was another and
somewhat improved one, made Tor similar purpese
/ in thar Empire.
In ISIS the rst successful experiment sas made
f in the construction OF a Tgilroad. in England fol
the transport of eNppssS or mails freight sad pas
senSers- Ia l>2y the people OF the United States
determined not 10 be exceied by the Mother
/ country, put the Grst railroad Of America in sue
eessiui opesaten. for all practical purposes. ihai
+ was railroad connecting point not more thaf
nVe miles remote, with the heUriShnE ciiv Of foS
ton III Is matter OF both asteUish%ent aud gratI
ieatlen to observe the rapidify with which th,
number OF miles Of TailToad has been increased II
the United States. In lS5e having hesHn only il
le3a, the number Of miles was over .a0o. In 1861
the latest period to which We have ofidal data