Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-08-27
EDITORIAL EXCURSION.

and fourth OF july. Early on the morning OF
the fourth, we accepted an invitation to take
ride on the wonderful Switch-back Rail Road.
This Switch-back Railroad was constructed
many years ago to bring coal down out of the
mountains. It consists of an inclined railway,
down which cars are impelled by gravity, and
are again drawn up to higher elevations by
means of stationary steam engines, from which
you again descend by an inclined plane. There
are four of these stationary engines, by which
you are literally lifted nearly two thousand feet.
The cars are drawn up these steep schutes by
means of bands of iron running over pulleys at
the top and bottom. The first we assembled
was Mt. Pisgah-the. length of which is 1892
feet, and height 664 feet. It creates no very
comfortable feeling to ascend one of these
planes for the first time. You cannot refrain
from thinking what fearful ride you would
have should the band break as they have some
times done. But familiarity, if it does not al
ways breed contempt, certainly in this case soon
breeds Indifference. For though silence reign
ed over our party as we made the first ascent.
it was afterwards broken by many joke and
tertained. By means of these alternate rapid
ascents and more gentle descents, we travelled
about twenty-five miles within an hour-passed
directly through the coal region-saw the smoke
rising from burning mine which has been on
fire for forty years-stopped at the Eagle house
on Summit Hill and partook of the hospitality
of the proprietor, Nathan Klotz.
In consequence of tunnel recently made
under the mountain, this Switch-back road is
no longer used for the transportation of coal,
but is now used entirely for the accommodation
of travellers who desire to visit this remarkable
place. Leaving out the beautiful scenery to be
found in ride around Switchback, the exhila-
ton of being propelled for twenty-five miles,
sometimes at rate Of thirty miles an hour,
without any visible motive power, is sufficient
to induce any one to avail themselves of the
opportunity. We are indebted to the kindness
of Mr. A. f. Dony of Mauch Chunk for our
visit to that picturesque place and for the
many pleasures we enjoyed whilst there
Whilst at Mauch Chunk we received an in
vitation from Mr. Geo. w. Childs of the Pub
hc Ledger, to stop in Philadelphia and partake
of the hospitality of the Quaker City. We
had but short time to remain in that city,
but whilst there were the guests of the Ledger,
which was represented by Mr.. Mexican, and
had most pleasant visit. After an excellent
repast at the Continental Hotel, we were con-
Quoted by the leading members of the city
press in carriages to Fairmont Park and thro'
the magnificent streets of this extensive city,
noted for its public buildings, private enterpri-
ses and noble charities.
About 10 o'clock, p NJ, we left Philadel-
phia In thunder, lightning and in rain" fol
visited the city that night. The damage done
to the Continental Hotel where we stopped was
estimsted at five thousand dollars. A very
comfortable car was provided for our special
use by the Northern Pennsylvania railroad and
we reached Baltimore early on the morning Of
the fifth Of July, where, after the close of g
meeting in which resolutions were passed ex
, pressive Of our sense of the delightful trip WI
| had enjoyed, our party broke up and each ont
found his way home by railway or steamboat.
It was with something of sadness that W
told each other good bye For though we wer
3 strangers when we first met in Baltimore, ye
,-ne weeks association had made US friends
IN. Il courtesy marked the intercours
K;ndnoo. = TO feel that we wer
OF all, and we are prou..
one OF party which has made ST..
Ole impression on the people of the North I'm.
papers say SOL! We believe this visit mill -
productive of much good. It has onenoa 49,
eyes OF some few, at least, at the North to tbo
reo'i'uoe and honesty of purpose that animstes
our people IN the struggle for the restoration
OF the Union and the bringing about of . bettar
leehng and understanding between the neorlo
OF the North and the South. On the othor
nand 1t will be of equal benefit to us. for wa
nave observed the industry, enterprise train
lug ana thrift which have developed the COM
munitles In these Northern latitudes into r;cb
ana powerful commonwealth, and causes Ms to
look with hope to the future, when the annl;.
ca'lon OF IKE processes and energies, we saw in
operation In New York and Pennsylvania. shall
be made to the vast undeveloped resources of
our own States,
wherever we went, the city authorities
boards OF trades, editorial fraternity. and c;t;.
zens generally, all We'd with each other in their
KIND attentions, and made our route one entire
ovation, and we were fully convinced that what
ever hostile feelings these people may have
cherished against US during the war thew are
last passing away, and that now among tbe
greater portion of the people there is no feel
ing OF sectional hostility, but heartfelt desire
to be at peace with the people of the South
The expression we heard most frequently was.
Had We known each other better there had
been no war;" Although politics were voted
out OF our public meetings, we were ever ready
In private conversation, to express our views
freely and say that we were for honest Horace
dreely, which sentiment met most frequently
with hearty response. Although there was
much dining and feasting, yet we failed not to
convince some Radicals of influence, as we
have heard them confess, of the truth of our
statements in regard to ''thieving carpet-bap-
ger, and the immense burdens of State debts
piled up by them, and they frequently declared
their determined hostility to the whole set
Illus whilst we partook of all the enioyments
prepared for US, yet We considered it our dutv |
to do all in our power by personal example and
endeavor to bring about fraternal goodwill.