The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-09-13
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC.
The Golden Spike Ceremonies.

| IuAA1uS III CetAOCo du a O1OGduCC VI 1Oul
miles. The grade is the same as BoZe-
man sections, were safely lifted over
the height and descent made to this
point, where the ceremony of driving
the last spike has Just been concluded.
The contrast between the rugged
heights of the east side and the long
meadow like slopes of the west side
is very striking. The distance from
this point to Helena is fifty five miles.
In making the descent Of the Millen
pass the car of the British minister
was disabled and the occupants had to
be transferred to another car. Nobody
was hurt or Inconvenience. The
train arrived at this point little be-
hind time, but in good shape. From
Portland there came somewhat earlier
splendid train bearing the promi-
nent citizens of that section, to par
ticipate in the ceremonies. There
were hearty greetings between the
American guests of the East and
| West. The occasion was regarded as
remarkable one, and as presaging a
prosperous future. All were sur
prised at what they beheld. Instead
of the wilderness of the Rocky noun
tains, they here beheld magnificent
| pavilion; capable of seating more
| than 1000 persons, over which
fioated the national colors of the
| American, German and British
nations. In front, reaching to the
rOad-bed was an extensive serenade
skirted by platform with comforta-
BILE seats. On the right was the band
stand, and on it were seated the 9th
United States Infantry band who
were to entertain them, who came
all the way from Fort Keogh, but even
stronger than this evidence of civili-
ZatiOn were the cares Of vehicles,
and the hundreds of hardy noun
taineers gathered to welcome Henry
| Willard. AS soon as the last of the
! guests arrived the ceremonies were
| opened by President Willard, who di-
vided the attention Of the enthusiast
tic multitude with Gen. Grant; seated
on the platform, in short adj
dress. He then introduced the
orator of the occasion. The orator
(Hon. VIM. Evarts) was heartily APP
plauded. After music Mr.. Willard in
few words introduced Secretary Tel
Ter, who spoke of the great energy
and capital required to complete the
various continental lines and the pros
pective benefits to the nation. This
enterprise of the Northern Pacific,
along which lines there would be, in
few years; mine millions Of people;
could not be called local in character.
1t was more than national. 1t con-
cerned the welfare of other people.
1t now remains for the manager to
justify in the future the wisdom of
the government in what it has done,
and that it will if the policy announced
by Pres ident Willard is carried out.
Secretary Teller was followed by
EX-PrGsident Billings.
Mr.. Willard said that as they had
present distinguished guests from
England and Germany he would give
| those present an opportunity to hear
their sentiments. Mr.. Willard intro
| duced Lyonel Sackville, from west of
| England, who said that Sir James
Hennon would speak for the English
guests. Sir James Hennon said the
English visitors were filed with wona
der and admiration at the sights of
! this magnificent country and its insti=
buttons. Mr.. Henry Willard was
person about whom their warmest
sympathies and gratitude for this
splendid hospitality could well clus=
ter. We have had the happiness Of
Sc ling what ms nier of 1lian he is
| We have been able to see him in the
qualities which have earned for him
| the confidence of those who have been
associated with him throughout his
life, and we shall now carry
back the recollection of having
known zeal man. 1t was a
happy thought that the representa-
tives of the couns tries, which have con-
tributed the population to the Ameri-
can nation, should pe present on this
most extraordinary occasion, and it
| fills me with wonder and awe to see
the prosperity which has advanced
with such rapid strides, and which has
| reached the highest development of
civilization. The German minister,
Won Eisendecker, was then presented
and expressed the hearty good wishes
| Of his fellow countrytrien of this en-
| terprlse. We are sorry to have lost
| Mr.. Willard, but as he has come to a
country which Las always been close
| ly allied to my own, he may remain.
Mr.. Kneiss, of the Berlin university,
was then introduced and spoke at
length in behalf of the German visi-
tors and expressed the hope that the
/ Northern Pacific would be a new
highway and the main line Of all
northern colonization of America and
Europe. May it be forever monu-
| ment in honor of the brave son of
Germany, Henry Willard. You may
be sure that our northern country is
proud of such son.
DR.. Hoffman, the greatest micro
scopist of the day, said the construc-
ton of the Northern Pacific was a
modern miracle. This was an inter-
national festival of modern civiliza-
| ton.
The Northern Pacific country pre-
sents features of unprecedented fer
tility, such as our eyes has never seen
before; providences of mineral wealth
SURPRISING everything which the bold
est imagination could have expected.
They will at no distant day be popu-
lated by millions ct happy people.
The governors Wisconsin, Mime
sofa, Dakota, Montana, Oregon and
Washington Territory were severally
introduced and made brief and appro-
pirate remarks. The governor of
Idaho was absent on account of sick
ness. There were loud cries for
Grant, and as the general came for
ward the air was rent with cheers.
| A1O 4hoNkO q low W
the occasion and characteristics. He
said he was reminded by the speeches
to which he listened of the fact that
he had something to do with the
great Northern Pacific enterprise,
| When Gov. Stevens, thirty years ago,
organized his surveying expedition,
he was lieutenant and acting as
Quartermaster and commissary on the
Columbia and issued the supplies for
the expedition was he not then en-
| titled to some of the credit which Mr..
Billings had apportioned out to others.
1t was true while Mr.. Billings con-
tributed of the money he paid out
| Uncle Sans. This sally greatly
pleased the audience, which was
largely made up of veterans, who be-
came perfectly wild when he said that
these inter-colonial railroads would
have amounted to but little for the
men who, after the war, sought
the territories and field of enter
prise. They had made these railroads
possible and prosperous. In conclusion
three cheers were given. The guests
were then given seats on a platform
by the railroad. Photographs were
taken of them, Mr.. Willard and fam
lily and the most distinguished Amer
leans. After that the horse that
helped to build the road from its in