The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-05-29
cr..s Kairroaa Celebration a, sacramento
Vallejo. CAL1FoRxIA, May 10, 1869

Vallejo. CALIFORNIA, May ~, ICvS-
NIR. EDIroR II returned 10 VALLEJO tins morn
ing. having been invited to visit Sacramento for the
purpose Of being present At the Grand Railroad Cele-
bration, on the Sth instant. II was certainly an &C.
casion worthy Of being celebrated by the Sacrament
aus in a special manner, fer it was at that city that
the grand enterprise was initiated, 50 far as the
Pacific coast Is concerned. Your readers viii find in
the Sacramento Union Of this morning a full report
Of all the particulars relating 10 the memorable oc-
casion. but having been an eyewitness, l am pre-
pared TO bear my humble testimony to the enthusi-
asm Of the people in celebrating an event justly pro
nouncei. one "of the greatest events Of the age"
II fell 10 the lot Of your old friend and sc~hool-mate,
HIS ExcelIency Governor II. Il. Haight, whom I had
the pleasure of meeting IN the cars. TO deliver the ora
ton upon the occasion Il was an interesting, elo-
quent and able historical sketch Of the great enter
prise, as well a. a calm and dignifei portrayal Of
the present and future influence which the noble
achievement viii exert upon the nation and the
world. | was fortunate 10 secure q good seat on the
platform, 80 that l heard every word Of the grafton
distinctly spoken. The Governor, while speaking
was often cheerel, when he had given utterance 10
some sentiment which touched the popular heart
After having dwelt upon the greatness and marni-
tude of the enterprise, sketched the difficulties which
had been overcome, and paid a just tribute to the
noble band Of energetic, determined, resolute and
sagacious men who had commenced and carried II
forward, the orator closed with the sentiment, that
no amount Of material prosperity and greatness can
form a basis for true national prosperity. I've
must" he remarked, " r~ecollect that the only basis
Of morality is religion-that no people who are un-
mindful Of their obligations to their Creator can per-
manently prosper. That no amount Of material
wealth can compensate for the decay Of public
virtue
All the Military and Engine companies, besides
the Masonic and Odd Fellow orders, were out in full
regalia- In the long procession 1 observed, in one
carriage. 4 company OF hardy laborers, accompanied
with the motto
- ZssIe are tie men vAo Tad 10 mHe, If ns track IN
one day.
Ia one wagon was conveyed q printing press, be-
longing to the Daily Record, and the presznan
scattered, right and left. the freshly printed sheets ,
In another carriage We noticed a somewhat elegant
polished shovel. which was the identical implement
with which the first gravel was dug, when the rail-
road was commenced, January Is. 1868, or just six
years and four Bonths ago!
The Sacramento people are justly proud Of the
businessmen Of their city, who have undertaken
and pushed forward this enterprise 10 a successful
termination. Perhaps the inhabitants Of no city in
California have labored under & greater array Of OBJ
stacles in building up a city. The food Of 81 sub
merged their stores and dwellings above the first
story. Fires, from time 10 time, have swept away
their stores and property, but the city, Phoenix-like,
has arisen from its ashes, and l rejoice that their
labors as railroad builders and founders Of a city,
are crowned with success.
The few weeks of our sojourn on this coast have
been exceeding pleasant. The weather has been fine.
Only one rainy day. The country is dressed in its
gala-costume. When the farmers have not disturbed
the soil for cultivation, nature has spread a carpet,
variegated and rich, with innumerable flowers and
grasses. 1 do not wonder that Californians are
proud of their growing and prosperous State.
Where this letter reaches you, 1 trust our party
will safely have crossed the plains and mountains in
tervening between the Pacific and Atlantic. We
were ready to have started this morning, but have
delayed our departure TO join the company Of
"Overlanders'' arriving per Idaho, from Honolulu,
including Mr.. and Mrs. WaterhOuse, Mrs. W. W.
nan, MISS WaIerhouse, Capt. }. Worth, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Owen, and now expect to start on the 18th.
Yours truly. :. c. DAMON.