The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-09-14
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC FORMALLY
COMPLETED.

quarter. mile Of the main track in trent of Il,
that his guests might see 1t relaid rapidly to
the point Of union, where the last spike In
what Is now the Northern Pacific railroad
should be formally driven. He had brought
to bear to give effectiveness to the ceremony
one Of the most worthily eminent jursts Of
America TO deliver the Grafton; he had there
the first citizen Of the world, Ulysses S.
Grant; he had there the Ministers of Ger
many and the British Empire at Washington,
the United States Secretary of Interior, and
an array Of American high officials and Jour-
nalIsts, titled foreigners and money kings,
such as hes not often congregated on Amer.
can soil, with cannon, soldiers, music, flying
colors, decorated trains, and all the para.
phernalia and accessories to render the event
impressive and picturesque.
While to those who knew that trains had
actually been running for q fortnight over
the very ground where the "last rails" were
to be laid and the "last spike" driven, there
was an appreciation Of the ridiculous In this
spectacular deception; while Montanians
generally felt Indignant at some of the ex.
hibItions of aristocratic exclusveness and
small dlscourtesies of the occasion, it was
for all an event which no one present would
have willingly missed, and the enjoyment: of
which was only modified, not destroyed, by
minor disagreeable incidents. 1t Is not to
be supposed that the great excursion which
probably cost quarter million dollars, and
of which the Independence creek ceremonies
were the climax, was arranged without an
object, and an object Of such magnitude that
In its accomplishment Mr.. Willard was likely
TO overlook courtesy TO those who would not
contribute TO 1t. The Northern Pacific has
been built in the face Of many obstacles and
Universities. Its stock is yet low and uncer.
tain, while many millions of dollars have
still TO be raised TO meet its out
standing liabilities aud push the
enterprises that are still draining It's treasury
and taxing the resources of It's financiers.
With completion Of the line, an excursion
like that In progress, demonstrating by ocu.
the great resources of the country 1t travers-
ed, was not only the most gigantic and best
developed advertising scheme ever underta-
ken on the continent, but Il brought the
capitalists face TO face with the actual or
proposed investment, and they could not fail
TO be favorably impressed. The effect will
be TO enhance Northern Pacific stocks, secure
what further loans 1t wants and thus put
money IN the pocket and power In the hands
of Henry Willard. On the occasion referred
TO he was indifferent, even TO the discourtesy
of turning his back, to the people of Mon.
tana, and until the last moment he had
never invited but Two of them TO be presen,
at the ceremony. To the extent that 1t has
been deemed worth while to notice it, this
and other indifierences have been the occa.
sion Of some indignant expressions toward
the President of the Northern Pacific. We
state what we believe was the object of this
show, not to excRse the failure to give the
people Of Montana word OF welcome and
friendly recognition, for 1t was inexcusable,
hut that those who have not given il thought
may have insight TO its purposes. Mr.. Vii
lard is Of the mould of men generally who have
forced themselves rapidly from obscurity to
wealth and prominent position, No fine
for others embarrasses him
when IL is In the way of an object. The
history Of his raid on ex President Billings
and the capture Of the Northern Pacific is
exemplifcation Of this, so all the people of
Montana need do Is TO consider the source.
Ii was far past midday, the time set for
the conclusion, before the last rains arrived
from the east aud the ceremonies began by
an address from Mr.. Willard to his travelling |
guests. He was followed by ex.Secretary
Eyarts In the Grafton Of the day. Both |
speeches were well prepared and interesting |
and were read from printed copies. Secre- |
tary Teller was next announced and deiiy- |
cred an admirable extemporaneous address,
being the first of the speakers to turn his
face 10 the people. Elk President Frederick |
Billings followed, and although he too |
talked to the Pullman people he took few |
feathers out of Mr.. Wizards cap and placed |
them in that of Jay Cooke. His remarks |
were roundly applauded. Mr.. Willard then
introduced to his travelling guests Hon. |
Lionel Sackville West, English Minister at
Washington, who, however distinguished as
a diplomatst, did not distinguish himself as
an orator, and after few remarks introduced
Sir James Hammer, member of the Priyy
Council, who did somewhat better. The |
German Minister at Washington, Baron Won
followed. and then DR.. Kneiss.
VI the Berlin University, and DR.. Hoffman,
the emipent microscopic, each of whom oc. |
cupied a few minutes. IL was then an
bounced that the Governors Of the several
States and Territories through which the
road passed, except the Governor of Idaho,
who was i'll and absent, would speak la their
geographical order from the east, and the
Governors of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota.
Oregon, and Washington we're sew.
orally introduced and responded.
During this time there bad been repeated
rails for "Grant," but now it broke out In a
demand that would not be put of, and as be
came forward and squarely faced the thou
sands on the platform, the voices Of
all burst forth In prolonged cheers,
he wild, irrepressible acclaim tina. he
had heard on q hundred battlefelas,
and that greets him wherever he goes
throughout the land. He spoke not long,
nut well. He told Of the inception Of this
Northern Pacific road, how he rs a young
erved supplies TO Governor Stevens survey
ne expedition thirty years ago, and thought
Ie was entitled 10 some credit for helping on
he work, although he had spent Uncle Sans
money, while Mr.. Billings had spent his
'wn. Whoever has seen Grant on the field
vill recollect bis old habit Of occasionally
hrowing quick, sidelong look toward the
un. He has not forgotten It, and after a
glance in that direction and saying that he
vas admonished TO be brief, he ended his re-
marks by turning toward Mr.. Willard, and
fter acknowledging the great achievements
4 those who had built the road, he said If IL
lad not been for the veterans and pioneers
Who opened the mines, cultivated the fields
md drove back the savages In this great
Vest, the Northern Pacific would not have
zen worth building. This recognition from ,
rant was atonement for any slight that had
een felt by the Mountainous, and they broke
orth In cheer afser cheer that evidenced
heir gratitude and devotion TO the grand old
american hero who, Is the years 70 by, 10 |
cid closer and closer 10 the hearts of the
eople.
Succeeding the speeches, which we have
OF the space 10 publish, the laying OF the I
st four hundred yards Of track anc the ,
irving OF the last spike was announced; ,
nthusiasm and effects that could have been
esired. the great Northern Pacific road was
,rmally declared completed, and the thou
,nds who had been present dispersed 10 (
lpidly a. transportation could be secured. I
is but right 10 say that no golden spike !,
rs driven or silver sledge used. The spike