Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-06-11
On the River.

On BOARD TIE QUANTICo STEAMER, June
10th, 1878. Among the passengers upon the
fine steamer Ironsdes, this morning, are VIM
Killgour, John Lannop, NJ. B. Harlow, Orlando
Wood, J. T. Hill aud JAS. a. Higgins
from Alexandria; and r. J. Hanley OF Mar
tinsburg, West Va; Maj NJ. Il. Urcil, OF
Knights of St. Patrick, Washington, L; dele,
rates to the convention fthe Catholic Bcnchciai
Union which is to meet IN Richmond to-mor
row. These gentlemen represent VARIOUS Catho-
lie organizations and will, undoubtedly, have
pleasant time, as all persons attending similar
meetings at the State capital always have. The
trip from Alexandria to Quantlco IS very
pleasant one The fresh breeze is great relief
to those of us who have been pent up. 10 the
hot cities aud have only travelled by railroads.
where dust, added to heat almost sutfocates
and COMPLETELY tires out the uckcss wight
whose pleasure or business carries him within
the coach drawn by the steam horse. The
places of interest along the river are Forts
Foot aud Washington and Mt. Vernon. AS
we mass the latter place the bell OF our steamer
tolls out a solemn requiem for the honorcd
dead. and all our thoughts turn to the time
when Virginia gallant sou led the half starved
and half clothed revolutionary soldiers to meet
and overcome the armies OF the most powerful oil
the world s nations. lmagi CITATION can hardly de-
pict the scenes, and the mind can not without
incrcdulity accept the tales OF that war, ITS
success, and The great results that have iO-
lowed. To-day We look with admiration, and
are loud in our applause, at the rapid strides OF
civilization and prosperity OF the great Amcr-
can nation reaching from the Atlantic to the
Pacific and from the Lakes to the Cult OF
Mexico; not as thcp a bowling wilderness, but
tecming with life and activity. The Indian
has died away, and is only to be found in the
far West, where driven from hunting ground
to hunting ground. robbed and oppressed by the
REPRESENTATIVES Of the Great Father in Wash
ngton, they occasionally take upon themselves
to dispense justice according to their idea OF
right, as lately exercised, and most successful
ly, by Capt Jack" and his thirty-hvc Modoc
warriors. The Journey Of weeks and months
OF the days of Washington are now per-
formed in hours and days. The shrIl
whistle of the locomotive is heard instead OF
the cry OF the panther and the war-hoop OF the
Indian. Steam supplies the place of horse
power. The stage coach Is no more to be
iound upon the public highways. Elegant and
polacial steamers float gracefully upon our wa
ters like swans. supplying the place Of the light
canoe and rickety sailing vessels. The hanu
loom has lost its place in the family circle and
a thousand spindles, piled by steam, supply It's
usefulness. The negro no more in joyous ca
lencc sings his happy song in gangs upon our
farms. The old holuc,tcals that 10 those older
DAYS adorned the banks Of the beautiful Poto-
mac, are laid in ashes. The old families are
scattered to the four winds of heaven. lis true,
old things are passing away. and as the tol!lng
bell falls upon my ear as pen this stop and
wonder is it for the best i? Virginia will Ger
tainly improve. The immense advantages that
are hers are being brought before the world.
Capital and immigration are turning hlthcr-
ward, and all must push forward in the scrub
race to grow rich and make for ones-self the
lucre by which we attain position and power.
These are inevitably the results of progress;
the man who stops for moment to look back
is trampIed under foot by the rushing multi
tude and his position filled by more cntcrprs-
ing individual aud the place that knew him,
knows him nc more; the world cannot wait and
if VIC are unable to keep pace with it, re must
fall beneath the weight of its rapid advance
mcnt. do not wish to be understood as OPP
posed to progress and civilization; the break
neck railroad spccd, with which VIC are advauc-
ing, but only at Mount Vernon to stop aud
drop tear over the grave Of Washington and
the happy memories ndlovcd associations that
link us to the past. | have stopped to muse too
long; the world is getting ahead OF me and ere
AIN ready the steamer lronsldes lands US
at Quantlco FIRGiNlAN.