New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-06-28

THE RAILWAY SPEECHES AT JACKSON.
No enterprise of any consequence is
deemed fairly introduced to popular at
tention until there has been public de-
monstration, such as, for instance, an ex-
cursion, q dinner, and Q post prandial
speech, OF half dozen Of the latter. The
Jackson Railroad, so far from forming an
exception to the rule, has been the occa-
sion of something of the sort every year
since the idea of building it first sug-
gested itself to some original thinker.
When the charter was granted by the Leg
islature, when the State and city SUBJ
scribed for nearly all the stock,
at every election of President,
every time q new locomotive was
brought out, and, in short, on every
possible occasion where an excuse for q
grand blowout was afforded, party was
made up, a dinner provided, and the
inevitable speech-making followed, as
sort of wind-up. 1t was exceedingly fit
and proper, therefore, to celebrate the
greatest event that ever happened to the
road by a demonstration that would COM
pare favorably with any of its festive pre-
decessors. A great and beneficial change
has recently occurred. The State and the
city have each parted with their stock in
the road, and with almost absolute con-
troll it has gone into the hands of really
energetic, live man. The old fossils who
have heretofore run the road, and simply
realized liberal salaries, have been neatly
shelved, and the great highway to the
North is to be worked hereafter in the in
terest of the public and the owners.
This happy change in the control-this
transfer of authority from the bands of
hired servants to those of the actual pro-
prietors-was the grand occasion for
free ride, sumptuous feed and general
defining of positions after dinner.
Mr.. McComb invited few distinguished
guests to go up to Jackson with him to
celebrate the event of his taking posses
sion. There were two Governors, Lieu
tenant Governor, number of lawyers, a
sufficient supply of Bohemians to report
the 'points," real olive editor" of whom
more anon, and the usual "mixed COM
pany" in reserve, who were only required
to eat and drink freely, and be pleased
with everything they saw. The speeches,
SO far as those of Governors Warmoth and
Alcorn and Mr.. McComb were concerned,
were characterized by vigor of expression,
practical ideas and the energy of thought
full men. Some of the others, though
treating of worldly things, chiefly politi-
cal, remind one of the style and vein Of
speakers at an old-fashioned Method
list love feast, where those who
have been terrible sinners, delight to
mortify the devil and the flesh by enthu-
siastieally declaring that they are now
fully committed to the cause of the Lord,
md generally it put in the light of g great
avor to the new cause they have
,spoused, to have such able champions.
Of course, while they were serving the
levi they, believed they were right, but now
hat they have enlisted on the other side |
hey knoao they are. About the only sin |
hey never were guilty of is insincerity. |
Like Paul, they burned, crucified and |
otherwise prosecuted Christians with the |
most Immaculate sincerity, and after the
blessed change of heart are just as ready
% pitch in and treat their former followers,
whose minds are not so elastic as to per-
nit sudden change, to the same course |
# argument.
Among other distinguished gentle
men who went up to Jackson, the guest of !
his new conner, this veritable carpet bag
'er McComb, was Judge Alexander Walker,
ne of the editorial staff of the New Or
cans Times. For versatility Of talent,
uency of expression, minuteness of OBJ
ervation, and an intimate knowledge of
be local affairs of this city, Judge Walker
as few equals. For a long time, sag
orty years, more or less, he has lived here
# and on, and during most of the time has
cen connected with some leading Demo
ratio paper. He has never had nominal
ontrol Of any journal, but has, for many
ears, undoubtedly exercised e controlling
fuence over those who had.
theirs generally held the lines, but
> told them how to drive. He
as Lalso had public honors conferred
pom him, having been at one time city
'urt Judge or Justice of the Peace, where
obtained his reputation as jurist, and
ter in life, as he became better known, |
rs elected member of the secession
INVENTION of 1861. His signature to the ]
dinance incubated by that strange body &