The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1874-06-26
BANQUET AND EXCURSION.
Given by the Atlanta Constitution to
the Georgia Press.

flashing with lighted candles and Chinese Lam
terms dangling. while below, Broad street was
thronged with ''loolers on" The building is
FIVE stories high and the ascension of the edi-
tors to the top of the editice gave them fine
view of the city.
Subsequently the Press gang were escorted
to Pease's, the Delmonico of Atlanta, where
greeted the expectant vision Of the jolly quill
drivers one Of the most magnificent collations
ever prepared in the Gate City. Instead of a
friendly repast for ''stags" il looked more like
bridal feast for queens. The broad tables rum
ming the entire extent of the palace parlor,
crossed in the centre and capped with pyra-
mid of luscious fruits, promiscuously decorated
with fragrant flowers, presented by the ladies
of Atlanta and the Senior Glass of College
Temple of Newman, and teeming with every
thing costly, rare gorgeous and good. In fact
every luxury and dainty that could tickle the
palate of the most fastdious Epcure. were
there in exuberance to ap-Pease the appetite of
the knights of the Quill"
Mayor Spencer presided at the head of the
table, and, at the instance of Col. Clarke, well
coined the Press to the inequalities of the Con-
stititution, and pleasant sojourn in the city.
There We're about fifty editors present and dis
tinguished gentleman among whom was Attur-
ney General Hammond. Numerous courses
were served, and then
"Pop went the gay cork flying,
Sparkled the bright champagne
while toasts went round and wit, repartee,
speeches and convivial pleasures prevailed, un.
til a late hour, concluding by the entire press
gang singing 'Auld Lang Syne."
| After lodging and breakfasting at the KIM
ball House, at 6 A. NJ, on the 18th inst, the
excursion train moved out, under the inspiring
music Of Bentley's Brass Band The eight
ming schedule was ecipsed in swifiness, stop
ping minute at two or three towns for access
ions, then fitting by houses, stations, fields, and
trees, with rapidity that annihilated time and
distance, and made telegraph poles appear as if
side by aide, and wagon roads narrow into
foot-pads. twas a fast sohedule, inanguara-
ted by fast paper to feast and not to fast, and
yet altogether too fast for Brewster, Of the Car
tersville Sentinel, who came running, dressed in
'linen duster' and paper collar and armed
with tooth-pick, to get aboard, but failed to
reach the train before it started, and he soon
appeared in the dim distance "beautifully leas,D
mere speck on the horizon Of disappointed
speculation. He looked wistfally and sighed
piteously as he saw the glimmering train in the
distance, like school boys dream, and doubt
} less felt like the preacher, who after having
preached his farewell sermon, and in leaving
his congregation, he was thrown for his horse,
} and as the animal disappeared over the hill he
!, clicked up his tail and waived his HEELS" in
J comparison, it, too, seemed to say, "Fare-you-
, aceIl, Brother Breacster !"
On to Rome the snorting locomotive rushed,
passing Kingston gliding up the Etowah val
, ley, bounded on one side by water, on the other
, by fertile fields, beautiful and luxuriant with
corn and cotton, while broad acres were dotted
) with shocks of wheat ready for the threshine
machine. Landing at Rome, we were soon EN-
, barked on the beautiful steamer Magnolia
for ride down the Coosa River Once on the
united waters of the Oostanaua and Etowah
the boat, with flag floating in the breeze. dane
ed merrily and swiftly along to the music the
spirited baud The River was high with
water and in good boating condition, no impede
ments only now and then log could be seen
drifting lazily along in the water. The meny
high hills, rocky cliffs, dotted with cedars and
green foliage of other trees, and the dense
shubbery lining the shores and the cultivated
fields, gave scenery of picturesque and
pleasing nature, and ones thoughts went back
to former days when the Indian glided in his
surveyed, ere the "pale face" invaded his forest
domain and the march of civilization drove him
beyond the waters of the West.
Music at intervals was discoursed on board
and fioated out to greet the assembled groups
on either shore along the route, and when Dir
| nah and Sambo would catch the strains, they
would clay down de shobel and de hoe" and
were all attention. Twenty-Five miles Were
traversed and at Hatcher's Spring a landing
was effected and an half hours ranble was en-
ioyed on the banks, and then the Magnolia
breasted the current and our party were on the
return. At 2 o'clock sumptuons and magnif-
cent dinner was served on the boat, in which
4 Georgia editors showed as much dexterity and
ability in welding knives and forks as they do
in spreading ink with goose quilts Their APP
petites were considerably sharpened by tile
| lateness of the hour for dinner, and they wasted
| no time in making enquiries as to "Who saved
| Georgia" but showed remarkable disposition
| and love for "De Perwissions, J0siar.'
| Nearing Rome, meeting of the Press was
had. Col Peoples, Chairman, and $. w.
Hawkins, Secretary, and resolutions were
adopted thanking the Proprietors Of the Con.
stitulion for the generous manner in which
they had entertained the Press. At this juno.
ture telegram was received from the Mayor
of Gadsden, Ala. = extending an invitation to
visit that city, which was declined with many
regrets.
At Rome we saw narrow gauge engine and
construction cars, as will be used in the equip
age Of the Marietta g. North Georgia Railroad.
1t was on the Memphis Branch Railroad aud
we deem il the perfection Of railroad wisdom,
and the very thing suitable tor the country
through which our new road is to pass. 1t
has moi only The advantage of cheapness Of con-
struction over The broad gauge, but will do as
good service and give the same gratifying re-
suits.
After viewing the Mountain City" and
enjoying tile eourtssies Of Sam. Robinson and
COL shankIin Of the Commercial and quaffing
DwinelPs and Willngham's ics-lemonade, at
the Courier office, we left much delighted with
our reception, but regresting that we didn't gel
to see that unregenersted rebel, Nevin Of the
Commercial. who we learn was off writing q
treatise for he Sabbath School children on fbe