Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1870-06-23

the day and age. All this treasure they were
anxious to pour into the lap of Delaware, down
through the ancient and natural highway, the
President of the road had so eloquently and
POLITICALLY described across the territory OF Della
ware to the Sea. They were about to reannex
Delaware, not by political bnods, but
to bind her to them by bands of iron and steel
Of comfy and mutual interest. He had been
connected with the road from its inception, and
he knew how nobly Wilmington had DONE Never
had men labored more disinterestedly, more UNI
selfshly, or more earnestly, than had the Della
ware men he had met in the board, Messrs
Belts, Bradford, Berry du Pont, his friend MIR.
Head, and others. When the prospect had
looked dark, these men had never faltered,
never despaired, because they knew they had a
community behind them who would stand by
them. Reading also, had been determined as
had Wilmington to this enterprise, and worked
on without faltering, to achieve success, but
well as both ends had done, but for the centre,
represented by the president of the
road Mr.. Steele but for the men In and around
the little town Of Coatesville who had put their
means and energy without stint into the work
the road never would have been completed and
above all is the credit for success due to MIR.
Steele. That the road would bring to Whining
ton such fortune as she had not yet dreamed of,
he had no doubt. If all are true to the road,
true to themselves, it will become monster
bringing power and wealth to all connected with
it, Mr. Clymer's speech was heartily applauded
throughout.
The next toast was, "Coatesuille industrious
and successful, she mill soon be able 10 bear
city's J,ttiens," responded to by DR.. Charles
Huston, who said that though Coatesville was
half way between the terrnni of the road, she
would not be found half way in all efforts to pro-
mote its prosperity.
The next toast was 's77,e Press of Pennsylya-
MIA" responded to by Henry s. Evans Of the
West Chester Record, who alluded to the hearty
support the press of that and other states gave
to all such enterprises
The next toast was " Delatcare, small for her
age but for her size, ambitious" Responded to
by Custs W. Wright, Secretary of State, who
alluded to the other railroads of the State to
show the interest of our people in such enter
prises, and expressed his pleasure at the COM
pletion of road that was to bind us more closely
to the great keystone State and contribute to
the welfare of this magnificent city, whose
efficient and hosptable Board of Trade had
invited them there tonight.
true may she eue,' hare faith IN Wilmington,
was responded to in very eloquent, happy and
humorous speech by Dr. Frank Taylor, of West
Chester, who called forth successive peals OF
he thought, after looking through our ship-yards,
that it was here on the banks of the Christiana,
rather than on the banks of the Clyde, that
Americas iron steamers should be built, he
touched Wilmington's particular weak spot, and
was greeted with storm after storm of applause.
Mr. Jenkins, of the Committee of Arrange
ments, then read the following letters from gem
tlemen unable to be present.
DOVER, June 18th, 1870.
To Mr. Jenkins and others, Committee OF the
Board of Trade of the city of Wilmington.
Gentlemen Your favor inviting me to attend
the celebration of the opening OF the wilmington
and Reading Railroad. ON the 10th inst, has been
received. have deferred reply until the pres
ent, in the hope that nothing would occur to
prevent my acceptance OF you lnv,tation II was
my earnest desire and intention . be present on
that occasion of 80 much interest to the people
of Wilmington and of the State generally, as the
opening OF this road, but regret that circum-
stances beyond my control will compel me to
deny myself that pleasure.
With Great Respect,
Your 0bedient Servant.
COVE SALISBURY.
WASHINGTON CrrY, D. c., June IA, 1870.
CENTLEMEN :-On my return to my seat this
morning, after an absence for few days. L
received your kind invitation to " attend the
celebration of the opening OF the wilmington
and Reading Railroad" which is to take place
this week. My duties here will prevent me from
accepting your kind invitation.
Thanking you for SO kind remembrance, L
remain, very respectfully D. u. BIaGs.
To II NJ Jenkins, J Bradford, T.Y. de Normandie,
James Lewis, G. W. Stone, Committee.
THURLOw, June II, lofU.
NIessrs Howard Nj, Jenkins and others, COM
mittee Board of Trade, Wilmington, Del.
Gentlemen Il have received your very polite
invitation to be present at the celebration of the
opening of the Wilmington 4 Reading Railroad,
and regret that cannot accept 1t. For week
past have been quite unwell, and obliged to
keep quiet at home
work Which is to do so much for the building up
of vour beautiful city. 1t will add more to your
material prosperity than the whole cost OF the
| road Yours 1ruiy, .. NJ. fELfoN'
| ..The Wilmington & Nep lorh Steamship
Line, a link binding t,co great cities was re-
snonded to by Geo. W. Bush, President of the
| Company. who demonstrated the accessibility OF
Wilmington to commerce, at all seasons OF the
year.
1.-THE city Of NIlnington-N behoores rs '.ot
10 D.aise ourselves, was the last toast. 1t was
proposed by Edward Belts, president OF the
board of Trade, and responded to by Mayor Val
entine, who said even if he wanted to praise his
| own city the speakers from abroad had left him
nothing to say. He me merely accepted all .heit mat
completed, and it would not be until it was ex-
| tended to the Delaware front in our city.
| Applause. "a
| t was to invite all guests who had not already
| made arrangements for the night, to the houses
Of gentlemen who had authorized him to make
| the offer. -
Mr.. Shalter. of Reading thanked the citizens
of Wilmington for this hospitable reception, anc
| promised them all a hearty reception IN heaoiiie
| on the following day.
| An excellent string band from Chester, Pa.
| furnished music during the supper, and all pres
ent united in pronouncing the affair complete
/ and brilliant success.
shortly after midnight the guests separated tc
catch few hours sleep. to refresh themselves
/ for the Excursion, next day.
The excursion to Reading, which formed {
part of the programme OF the Board OF lraae a.i
for their celebration of the opening of the Will
mington and Reading Railroad, duly took place
Yesterday and was very pleasant and entirei.
successful affair."
The excursion train, consisting of four passen
i ger cars, and gondola," provided with tenn
porary roof left this city about nine o'clock, the
party numbering nearly two hunered and fifty
The Board of Trade was largely represented, ant
the President and Directors of the new road, TIM
Mayor and City Council, the Councils OIL headint
and Coatesyille, Directors of the Doe Run ant
White CLAY Creek Railroad, and numerous mem
bers of the Press, were of the party.
Passing around the Southwestern limits OF TIN
city, across the summit down the descending
grade of the Brandywine, and then upward ami'
its lovely scenery, the train reached Coatesyille
about half past eleven O'Clock. Here the Ches
ter Valley Band met the party, and escorted then
on a brief survey of the town, after which til
ing-room of Speakman's Hotel. At 1915, tn
| marty left northward, and after brief pauses TO
water, at tank placed beside the track, and fe
by the hillside springs, Birdsboro' was reache
about one o'clock. Here salute OF cannon wa
fired, and as at Coatsville, the people turne
out, en- ndsse, to greet the first passenger trai
over the new road. Here, the Messrs. Brook
Joined the party, and, crossing the fine bridg
that spans the Schuylill, the train hurried on I
al Reading, arrangements had been made fo
receiving the excursion, on the most libers
scale. The whole city appeared to have mad
/ the occasion a holiday, and the streets wer
thronged with people. A salute of cannon al
nounced the arrival of the train; the fire appari
tus placed at the street corners changed the
/ bells in notes of welcome and the greeting wa
+ Of the very kindliest character. Carriages Ina
! been provided, into which the whoie party wei
. placed, in the following order;
l. Committee of Arrangements.
r g. Mechanics Band
. 81 Mayors and Presidents of Select Councl
A of Wilmington and Reading.
5 4. Presidents of Wilmington Board of Trad
4 | Presidents of Common Councils and City ohcia
of Wilmington and Reading.
: 5. Wilmington Board of Trade.