The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-02-14

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9iera,i TEL, thousand eitizena, though it was
hard TO estifnate ttie number, as the Whole
of The 1asS assernbIage could not be seen
from ANY point. When the procession
started from the City Hall fat 81 o'ciock) the
steamers or The Fire Department commenced
whistling, and this welcome was not stopped
until tue line had reached the corner of Broad
and Seventeenth streets. The Fire Depart.
mer,t presented most striking appearance,
and added greatly to the effect Of the ceicbra-
tion. II was in command Of Chief George
a. Ainslle.
THE SIGNAL Gun.
At 3:f5 the signal gun from one OF the Sec
| tiuus which was stationed on Navy Hill, un-
der command of Captain George L. Chris
| tian. announced that the train was in sight.
Atthis moment the deep whistle OF the en-
zinc. successfully run by Mr. W. z. Humid
lev. could be distinctly heard far up the Vul-
ley. >,
And now all the bells in the city pealed
| forth the welcome news from Brook avenue
to Rockctts-from the policc-statlons, ell
gine-houses, and churches-all uniting to an
nounce that the first of the great trade with
/ the far West had commenced. In tile mean
time the steam whistles all over the city kept
I'D an almost deafeniIrg screechln@. The
scene was past describing. The enthusiasm
was immonse. Every eye was turnee III the
direction from which the train was to arrive
and at FIVE minutes past o'clock the yard
engine, No. IS, ran gracefully Though the
crowd, pushing the coa.-cars, which were at
tached to the forward part of the train. Inc
cars were run out on one of the many sldlnSs
between Broad aud Grace streets, and TIC
engine then ran back to clear the track fci
other trains which were nearly due and tc
leave.
THE CROWD.
} The sidewalks were thronged on either
side far up and down Broad street with thou
sands of ladies and gentlemen. and even chill
dren. who seemed cDthuscd with the grea
event which was about to he celebrated; aDC
when all had been arranged for the occasion
! Mr.. Frayser took the stand, and, hat in band
J waived the multitude to silence. McCann':
: First Regiment Band was given promnen
position in front OF the stand, and dlscoursee
, q fayorite air, at the conclusion Of which TIE
speaking commenced.
THREE CHEERS.
Mr.L.H. Frayser. chairman Of the Com
mittee of Arrangements, proposed three
cheers. us the train passed in, to the Chesa
ppake and Ohio Railroad Company; which
were Justify given by the thousands pre-
. sent.
on TIE STAND.
Many persons eagerly sought prominent
, nositions, in order 10 witness The ceremonies
and see the arrival of the train. Among those
on the stand were the field and staff officer!
} of the First Virginia regiment; Genera
Joseph r. Anderson, one Of the directors o
the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad; promi
nent members Of the City Council, Corn ane
Flour Exchange, and Tobacco Association
t Rev. DR.. Curry, Rev. J. L. Burrows, Rev. j
, William Jones, Licutenant-Governor Aarye
| Rev. Moses d. HoGe, Police Justice White
Colonel Thomas W. McCance; Colone
( mond and Petersburg Railroad Company
/ and many members OF the Legislature; he
sides many citizens OF Richmond.
REMARKS OF Mr.. L. II. FRAYSEE.
Mr.. L. II. Frayser, chairman OF the Com
mittec OF Arrangements, called the meeting
to order and spoke as follows: ,,,o, o,,r
4.
selves together this afternoon 10 greet the ar
rival of the first through freight train over
the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad, which
connects tic waters of the Ohio with the
waters Of the JarDcs-u road which passes |
through the most fertile portion Of our State,
Rich in agricultural resources aud Untold
treasures OF mineral ore.
The completion Of this work marks an era
in the prosperity OF Virginia hitherto uti-
known. Already are consignmeDts being
made from the Queen City OF the Vest 10 the
merchants of our city, and i'll return we are
sending them the products aud manufactures
of our own city and State.
To the projectors Of this great work (a |
work which by many intelligent persons was
thought to be an impoSsihiiity) we oWea debt
OF gratitude, who, III the face Of all OPPOSE
ton, pressed on i'll their nnble enterprise
with the fail assurance of ultimate success.
We cannot TOO highly commend those to
whom the completion OF this great work has
been committed for the energy and Skill
with which they have performed their part.
Now. lellow-eit:zeEa. it becomes us to Gnu
brace these advantages, and; by our enter.
prise and industry, to develop and utilize
these resources thus placed within our reach.
And to this end, believing as we do that We
should ever recognize our ent ire depend
euce upon the Great Ruler of events for all
of success and Happiness we enjoy, we will
now unite with Rev. Dr.. Hose i'll prayer.
PRAYER EY REV. DR.. HoGE.
"The earth is Thine, o Lord, ard the full
ness thereof, the world, and they that dwell
therein. Thy throne is in the heavens, but
Thy kingdom rueth over all. Thou art high
and lifted up, but not elevated above regard
for Thy creatures.
1--WE bless Thee for Thy kindness to the
children Of men, to whom Tiiou hast given
the earth for heritage, and filled it with in
Vulnerable provisions adapted to their com.
fort aud we'll being. We bless Thee for Ill
those processes, providcntia! and gracious,
BY which Thou art drawing mankind nearer
to Thee and nearer to each other IN the
bonds Of sympathy and love.
eve give Thee thanks for the gospel OF
Thy dear Son, for the institution Of civil! gov
eminent, for social and domestic order, for
all those useful arts ard works of genius, i'll
dustry, and skill by which the people of this
great land are brought into intercourse with
each other, and made to feel their mutual
dependence and relationship IS children Of 4
common Father and citizens OF i common
country, and to cherish those kindly feelings
and strengthen those fratcrnal ties which
make it good and pleasant TO dwell together
as brethren in unity.
"And now that Thou hast permitted us
to meet in joyful celebration Of the compile
ton of this great WORK, which marks new
era in the history of our city and Common
wealth, we render Thee, as is most due, our