The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1869-06-02

tbce Rio5 CAs AltSi 0it lutSl v dl !,
came the words, "The prayer is
ended" Then after a space which
seemed intermiuable, the news
was flashed, I" It is finished.'--
Then the cannon roared--the bells
pealed-flags waved, and music
sounded !; the two mighty oceans
were united-the East and the
West have met together. Only
those who have made the spas
sage of perie Of going to Cali.
fornia, "over the plains,s can APP
preciate fully what has been ac-
complished; and in a less degree
those who have had slowed ones"
who during the "California gold
fever faded from their knowledge
at Fort Leavenwortb on the bor-
ders Of Missouri, and for long
months were lost to them in the
vast wilderness--then a trackless
desert--six months at least elaps>
ing before the most fortunate of
them were heard from, on the Pa.
cific coast. Now the journey can
be made from sea to sea in eight
days. The results of this work
commercially are beyond human
calculation, but its effect in hasten
ing the coming of the Kingdom of
God, will be far greater. The
East, Asia especia!ly-first' the
cradle, but for centuries well nigh
the grave of Christianity-must
now yield to the Prince of Peace.
China and Japan for three cen,
turies have, in their triple walls of
pride, bigotry and ignorance, re
sisted the efforts of the compare
lively few missionaries who have
reached them by the circuitous
route of the Indian Ocean; but
now aided by steam and clcctrici-
ty, (who are both, like all true
daughters Of science, hand maid
ems of the Christian Religioh,) we
shall see how powerless they are
to stay the avalanche of Christian
influences that will be brought to
bear upon them, and soon &c Ethi-
opia may indeed stretch forth her
hands to God." .rt -..-"
I rejoice that this work has
been completed in my day, but as
l rejoice, memory casts a shadow
over my heart, as / remember
"soine men labor, and others en-
Ter into their labors." @- . ---
This. work has been done
/" wholly by the North," so says
the world, and so perhaps will his.
tory record. Yet were truth to
guide the pen, it would be seen
that in this, as perhaps in every
step of the country's onward prog
ress since the Foundation Of the
Government until the war, the in
fluence of Southern brains was
felt, if not seen. a..-
Even Forney, in an editorial
glorification over the near compile
ton of the road, a few weeks ago.
was compelled to acknowledge
that its completion in 1869, instead
of 1SS4-ih ten years, instead of
thirty as was prophesied-was
due to the far seeing statesmanship
and official energy of Jefferson
Davis, who, while Secretary OF
War, ordered and caused to be
executed a survey of the entire
route! ... ....
Few of your readers when hear.
ing of the completion of the Great
Pacific Railroad, dreamed tha,
Spar:anburg had any part or loi
in the matter, even so much rs the
turning Of a spadeful of EARTH
Yet in your little town, in the
honse now owned by Mrs. Docto,
Golding, were written many o.
the articles which raised the pub
lie mind to consider the possi6iIis,
that such work could be Done
More than twenty years ago, Mr.
David Reinbardt, while residing
there with his daughter, Mrs
VIM. Irwin, became warmly in
terested in the subject, then deem
ed about as practicable as a voy
age to the moon, of building
railroad to California. He was {
man of fine natural abilities, will
an immense amount of practica
information, and an energy anf
enthusiasm in a subject which in
terested him, which was almost ir
resistib!e in carrying conviction
| He wrote an article for tn,
Spartan on the subject; that papel
then in it's early youth, and il
bands less enlightened than q