The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-08-31
WESTMINSTER, MD.
The Editorial Excursion.

souls is not applicable to the Baltimore
and Ohio Rail Road Company, for on
the 9Th instant they placed at the use
OF the Maryland Editorial Association
special train of cars for the urposc of
making an excursion to Sandusky city,
Ohio, distance OF 600 miles. So much
has been said Of the magnificent seen.
cry along the route Of this road, the
costly bridges, the almost super.human
engineering difficulties surmounted,
that it seemed familiar to all, and was
not considered to be anything unusual
in the construction of railroads by those
who have never passed over it. If
there are any such among our readers let
them travel from Baltimore to Wheel.
ing, and VIC doubt not but that they
will be convinced Of the fact that one
half the story has not been told, or that
the picture has not been over.drawu. The
mind can scarcel y conceive of anything
so wonderful. From the Relay House
to Wheeling, Mountains have been tun.
neled, hills ofsolid rock lcvelled, streams
and rivers bridged; the track winds
along the side Of high precipices aud
the head becomes dizzy in trying to
fathom their depths mountain streams
rush past with the swiftness Of the
wind, creating roar far above the rat.
tliug Of the dashing train, and 90 on
until they are absorbed in the Ohio
River. Except for the name there is
nonced Of Americans visiting Europe in
search OF mountain scenery, there is
nothing in that country superior to that
Of Cheat River. The mountain sides
were clothed in beautiful green, the
atmosphere laden with pleasant odors
from the hemlock, and the mahogouy.
=
colored waters of that stream leaped
hom rock to rock as if saying We will
not be confined; here aud there was
cleared spot. the residence of some
woodman, the smoke from whose hamlet
curlcd in beautiful wrcaths up the
mountain side; cattle were cropping the
tender sprigs of grass, watched by little
gamins who seemed more intent on
sailing their chip boats than looking
after the struggling herd.
Iu reading of Swiss life and scenery,
an almost uncomfortable desire to visit
that country is aroused, but we forget
that most Of those books are written by
Englishmen, men who rarely see or feel
the influence produced by the rays of
a bright, glorious sun, therefore they
are enraptured. Lord Tenterdou, one
of the Joint High Commission, in writ.
ing to friend in New York, after his
return to England, said that one day
spent in any Of the parks Of this coun
try was almost equal to lifetime 10
England.
The bridge that crosses the Ohio at
Bellair, is said to be the most costly
structure in the United States. Stop
ages were so regulated that we were en-.
abled to obtain meals at proper inter.
walls along the route. Many beautiful
towns and villages were passed, and
soon Newark, Ohio, was reached. Find
ing that several hours would elapse
before the connection with Erie Diyis
ion could be made, the Association con.
cluded to visit Columbus, the State can.
ital. Arriving there about 10, A. NJ,
Tuesday morning, VIC found carriages
in waiting to convey us around the city;
each vehicle contained a member of the
Ciy Council, who were exceedingly
kiad iu pointing out the prominent
buildings, public aud private. After
driving through the principal streets
aud the park, our carriages stopped in
front of the State House. This is a
handsome building, surmouuted By a
large dome, and presents grand up.
pearance The Association were shown
through the several apartments, and
sometime was spent in the Governors
private room looking at the portraits of
those who had guided the ship of State
in former years. The public buildings
ofColumbus, private residences, church.
es, and business houses, will compare
with any in the Union. About two
hours were thus agreeably spent, and
though our visit was only known short
time before the arrival Of the train and
the citizens taken by surprise, yet if the
collation. served is sample Of what
they would have done with more time,
we are certain that we express the views
of the entire Association that one and
all would desire to DO present. The
time for our departure having arrived
y