Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-03-27
Completion of the Pacific Railroad.

The Reno Crescent says: A grand event
is about to transpirc at or near Ogden City.
\ multitude from the East aud West are
to meet in the center of the continent, to
see the last rail laid which is to connect the
two oceans three thousand miles apart. But
it is not of this scene We wish to speak. 1t
is said the train from the East will contain
one thousand invited guests. These invi-
ted ones will doubtless include in their
number the representatives of wealth, geni-
us. talent, courage. and beauty Of the East
When the imposing ceremonies at Ogden
are concluded, when the speeches are all
made, the toasts drank, the welcome said
and Ic Dcxm sung, then many, especially
those thousand invited ones, will hardly re-
turn without satisfying curiosity which
has been increased in intensity for years
in the minds Of Eastern people to see the
far off Occident, to gaze upon that still
mysterious land called California, to listen
to the booming of the Pacific in his "cvcr-
lasting lamentations" What will bc the
impression Of these peopley For the sake
Of effect We hope the connection will be
made by the lst Of April At that time
the East will be slowly awakening from
her Winter sleep.
As the train leave Omaha, the chances
are, the winds sweeping down from the
Lakes and from Minnesota will require all
the doors to be closed and good fire kept
burning in the cars to keep tho passengers
comfortable. The Black Hills and the
Rocky Mountains will not yet have un.
covered their swarthy visages from the veil
of snow laid upon them. The desert basin
will be "scre AID cold" This will not dis
appoint them, for they have been taught to
think ours desert land unbcarablc except
for the treasure hid within its stony
depths. But then will come the passage
Of the Sicrras. We can fancy the fcclingof
awe that will possess their souls us the
high elevations are reached. amidst such
mountains Of snow as they may have read
Of, but never realized before, such peaks
and gorgcs, each height glacier. each
rav:nc an ice Aoc. And then the pines
those mountains monarchs. beside which
the trees of the east are hut shrubs. Some
Of the guests will leave home with the dc.
termination not to be surprised, or to cx-
press enthusiasm or astonishmcnt at any
wonders Of the West. We cprcdct that
notwithstanding this, before the train bear
ing them shall have crossed the summit
and left the ice on the western slope. that
more than once there will he silence in
the group, and an involuntary taking off of
hats as though the presence of some high
or power was felt. And then the sweep
across the towcry plains beyond, until the
pleasure eliminates as the train steps
among singing birds and blooming gardens
in Sacramento, We will venture, then, that
m, II and women will leave the cars with
dropping heads and quivcring lips, cx-
claiming, like the queen of old: THE
half was not told me-" Nature has been
propitious thus far this season; no fools.
hut rains just when California needed them.
as though the great mother took pride in
preparing her faircst child for the visitors.
Speed. then, the day; hurry up the char.
lots Of fire; let the last link which binds
us to our childhood homes be rivetcd. Let
the curious come We can point to the
Comstock and to White Pine as our cx.
cuscs for staying here but California will
hccu Ho apoioHicS, uuu tue ohiy WOnuer
will be that men, once seeing her, ever left
her.
skiy' The Legislatures Of 26 States are
now in session. greater number than
WAS ever before assembled ut one time
They are as follows, with the dates on which
the present sessions began:
Illinois, January 4th; Minnesota, Jan
uary 4th; Tennessee, Jar1dary 4th; North
Carolina, January 4th; Florida, Jan. 4th #;
Louisiana, January 4th ; Nevada, January
4th; Delaware. January 5th; New York.
January 9TH; Pennsylvania, January 5th
Ohi9, January 5th; Kentucky, January
9TH Missouri, January 9th; Indiana,
Jan4ary 9th; Arkansas, January 9th
Michigan, January 9th; Massachusetts,.
JanYary 9th; Maine, January 9Th; South
Carolina, January 9th; Nebraska, January
7th; New Jersey, january 18th; Kan-
sas, January 18th; Georgia, January 18TH;
Wisconsin, January, 18Th Rhode Island,
OIL "