The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-02
Ihe Uir0inia State Soatnal.
MONDAY EvEN'e, MARCH 2, 1874.

E|EN HH|L L-..
SPEECH OF w. III. sNOwDEN' Es0''
BEFORE THE UPPER POroMAC
FARMERS n FRUIT Sko"'
epS, ASSOCIATION AND STEAM.
RoAT COMPANY. DELIVERED
ON THE c3d FEBRUARY.
LAYING THE KEEL OF NEW STEAMER
-sIGNIFICANT SIGNS OF THE FU-
TuRE-A NEW ERA OPENING FOR THE
"oLD DOMINION THE VALUE OF
HER LANDS FOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NATURAL RESOURCES-THE SUPERB
DIRTY OF HER CLIMATE-THE AD-
yANTAGES OF HER GEOGRAPHICAL
. posITION-UHEAP TRANSFORMATION
BY COOPERATION.
Neighbors and Friends-The occasion
which has assembled us is one of no ordi-
nary Importance. We have met to form
ally celebrate the laying of the keel of the
prospective steamer of the Upper Potomac
Steamboat company, and | am glad to see
before me so goodly a number OF the peo-
pie Of this prosperous settlement to par
ticipate in the interesting ceremonies. In
the name of progress and enterprise l
cordially welcome you here. Your pres
ence assures me that your interest, your
~sympathies and your most earnest solicit
tude are all for the full and triumphant sue
cess of the undertaking of which we now
see the beginning. ,
For the coming Of this days event
most of us have been %anxlously waiting
through long years OF hoping and doubt
ing. 1t is an event well worthy to be cele.
brated, and fit to be associated with this
time-honored anniversary /; and may we all
in the providence of that Power whose
favor we earnestly invoke ever have cause
TO look back to it with no other than feel
ings of pleasure and satisfaction. With
the adjustment of these various timbers,
curiously fashioned and moulded BY the
skill Of the master builder from the leaty
giants Of yonder surrounding hills, com.
mences for us the realization of our fondly
cherished expectations. Eagerly we shall
wait for the time when the stately vesseI
of our hopes, builded firm and strong, and
into fair and beautiful proportions, shall
be launched from this spot and go cleav'
ing, like a thing of life, the waters of oul
majestic river.
Heretofore, one of the most urgent needs
of our settlement has been a quick ant
cheap means of communication with tht
neighboring cities Of Alexandria and Wash
ington.
The Upper Potomac Steamboat com
pany, with their swift, light draught ant
commodious steamer, propose to fully sup
ply this need. They propose to fit VI
comfortable, tasty saloons. with the home
like attractions of music, books and pic
lures, so that travel, instead of being tie
dious and irksome, may be pleasant AM
agreeable. They propose to initiate an
maintain the safe custom Of employing
none but temperate and trusty employees
and will strictly prohibit the sale Of intox
icating drinks at all times to passengers O.
any regular trip or excursion. They mea
to be governed in the adjustment Of thei
rates ior transportation Of passengers an
ireights by a policy so liberal as t
commend itself to all our peopl
living at convenient distances from til
numerous landings. They intend to carr
all kinds of farm commodities to mark
at prices so low as to stimulate their prC
duction to the extent of every availab
acre in the settlement. Our enterprise, j
ne, contemplates by its great ~iacilitie
the Allurements to new and deslrab
homes, many energetic, intelligent citizel
from localities North and West far lie
famed by nature than our own. 1t col
templates great rural improvement ov
these broad acres of the illustl
Gus Washington and Mason.
contemplates the successful restoration
their long-neglect ed estates to their prim
val fertility. 1t contemplates fine pastu
lands, rich corn and wheat fields, orchar'
and vineyards Of choicest fruits, comfor
able farm buildings, meeting and schoc
houses, thriving towns and villages. N
friends, when | picture to you all these a
yantages, as the result of the enterprl
which is to put all yonr homes i'll dire
and quick communication with the beau
ful and expanding metropolis of our gre
republic, / think | indulge in no vag
dreams nor idle inaginings.
1t has many times happened in the hi
tory Of human events and destinies tn
men have designed and buildei better tn,
they knew that the results of their pla
were infinitely beyond the scope of thu
conceptions. 1t was so in the building
the little bark Santa Maria, which opene
through the genius Of Columbus, a pat
way to the distant shores of an unknov
world. 1t was so in the building of L
: May Flower, which carried the pilgrim
Wit their germs oil progress, to the roc
bound coasts of New England. 1t was
IN the building of the ship Weleou
which bore from the prison.house Of pc
secution in London to the wilderness
Pennsylvania that grandest, noblest al
wisest of all human statesmen and la'
gvers, William Penn, of glorious memor
upon whose broad and liberal foundati'
Of civil and religious liberty has ais
the splendid supertructure of this nigh
aud happy republic; and while we do n
contemplate such destinies as these for o
enterprise, we can not but indulge the no
That onr expectations, though sanguin
may be more than realized and that '
may be building even better than we kno'
All over the world to-day, in Christian
well as in heather lands, thousands Of We
sells are being constructed for no other pu
pose than that Of accomplishing the sw
work Of the destroying angel in fierce co
hicts of hatred, pride or ambition. '
build in the name Of the holy angel ofpea
and for the promotion Of all the blessin
that she ordains and fosters.
| own | am enthusiastic whenever ] Ia
OF our steamer and of the future of o
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