Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-10-31
Spirit of ylttuso!l.
Charlesturni W. Va, October 81, 1871.
A GRAND OVATION.

more to Tic CITY Fathers Of PhsJurg,
Weeiiny and Cumberland. Tile Editor
invitcd. Pleasant Ercirsion to annapolis
on The l7M. Magnificent Banquet on tie
lsM. Return Of Tie guests.
On the evening of the 10th instant, VIC
were gratfcd, il not surprised, to find on our
table an invitation to joiu the city authorities
Of the three cities Of Pittsburgh, Wheeling
and Cumberland in sharing splendid enter
taiumcut prepared for them by the city of
Baltimore. WeaccOrdingly yjoinedtho Wheel
ing delegation on the Cincinnati express at
Harpcr's hcrTTJ on Tuesday evening. The
Pittsburg and Cumberland delegations were
OD special trains, some thrcCquurtcrs Of an
hour behind. Ours, being the regular train,
could not stop to meet the committee of well
come at Frederick Junction, but thundcred
by, amid !hs shoett the multitude assembled
to extend welcome. The special trains in
our rear were stopped ut the Junction, and the
guests welcomed with soul.stirring music and
eloquent addresses by Hon, John Ritchio, of
Frederick, - KeyseF, Esq. Vice Pres
ilent of the Baltimore 4 Ohio Road and
other gentlemen of tho Baltimore Committee
The trains were reunited again at tho Relay,
and entered the city together, and, under tho
escort of the Committee of Welcome, tho
several delegations proceeded to the leading
hotels to which they were respectively as
signed. We were SO fortunateas as to bo classCd
with tho Wheeling delegation, and given
quarters ut the St, Clair, formerly the GiImOur
House. The exemplary quiet, order, clean
Iiuess, and sumptuous fare =! this hotel com.
mcndcd it to US at once as one Of the best in
the city, or in the United States. The uexs
morning We were promptly at Camden station,
according to the printed programme furnished
us, aud proceeded with a large number Of the
guests to visit the works Of the Baltimore Il
Ohio Company mt Mount Clair Station. John
W. Garrett, E.q., led the party, when VIC
reached the Station and conducted Us through
these works, which cover ten acres, and give
employment to sixteen hundred hands. We
went through the whole, from where the crude
iron is mOuItcu and hammered into shape Tor
rail, to where the last delicate touch Of varnish
is given to the magnificent Pulltiun palace
car. We found in the conductor Of our train
an old friend and oadacquu;ntaace, Captain
Robert French to whom We wero indebted
for polite attention, and o5liS;ng information
as to the Road aud its business. Under his
care, wc took iron-hOrse again, and landed at
Locust Point, thu great cn,re,pot Of the
Bremen line Of Steamers, organized aud opv-
rated by tic Baltimore Il Ohio Company
They haze here seyen immense pier ware.
houses and Que grain elevator Of great height
and enormous capacity.
The beautiful steamer Samuel j, Pence was
here in readiness to receive the guests, and
conduct US to Annapolis. When about TO em.
bark We met for the first time during the day
our friends Andrew Hunter, Esq. and Solomon
V. Yanlis, who were among the invited sucsts.
We asked Mr. Hunter whether he were going
to embark, to which our venerable Nestor Of
the Forum replied, with French shrug of
the shoulders, that there was "tOo much peo.
SIe and loo little boat" and accordingly he
took carriage and returned to tho city.
1t vas now one o'clock ?. NJ, and the bay
was rolling beautifully under stiff breeze,
and clear sky. We we're in for tho excur-
sion, and We determined toC Crtvi, come what
might, so on We dashed, down the gangway
into the over crowded steamer, the baud struck
up, and we went spanking down tho Bay,
amid the popping Of champagne, and the
merry jubiiation Of tho deli GIFTED guests
We reached Annapolis at P. NJ, and re.
maiued two hours, visiting the naval Academy,
and tho State. House. There was an air Of
exquisite neatness and method which like an
odor Of incense seemed to pervado tkS Acai>
emy, and the whole city. The Naval officers,
the cadets, aud the inhabitants vicdwith each
other in polite courteous attention, and when,
alter witnessing the drill exercise of the corps,
we turned to depart, it was with feeling
Of solemn admiration for the quiet, but brave
aud beautiful old city. A. five O'clock the
whistle blew. aud up tho Bay we came again
past the Monitor-pust the war.steamers-
past tho white cliffs OF the Eastern Shore
and past tho lighthouse, into Baltimore,
which We reached about eight o'clock.
The next day, the 18th, was devoted by tho
guests to visiting the park, and places Of in
tcrest in tho city, in carriages furnished for
the purpose by their hOspitable host, the city
Of Baltimore. The day closed with the Grand
Banquet at the Masonic Temple Never have
We participated in an entertainment equal to
this in magnifccncc. The huge hall was les,
TONED with flowers, and rcsplsndent with tho
radiation Of chandeliers aud transparencies,
while tho long tables, seating some eight hun.
drcd guests, wero decorated with flowers, and
pyramids, and fruits, aud wines, and every
most beautiful and cultivated fancy Of tho
modern science.
Tho regular toasts to tho several cities were
neatly responded to, and about midnight the
happy guests separated, fully convinced thu.
Baltimore, hitherto distinguished for her COM
mcrcial enterprise, and rapid material develop
mept, should hereafter bc known as the Cry
op MAGNIFICENT ENTERTAINMENTS.
Among tho City.COunCil We noticed that
Mr. j. G. Johnson was prominent, aud u.s.
siduous in the discharge OF bis duties as Chair
man Of tho Banquet Committee. Besides our
self, tho invited guests from this county
we're Mr.. Solomon V, Yantis from lIarpCr''
Ferry and Hon. Andrew Hunter and D, b
Lucas, ESQ, from Charlestown.