New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-09
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC.
COMPLETION OF THE GREAT RAILROAD.

-SPEECHES By Mr. WILLARD, Mr.. EVARTe AND
Mr.. BILLINGS.
GOLD SPIKE. Mon., Sept s.-The ceremony Of
driving the golden spike which completed the
Northern Pacific Railroad and perma nsntly joined
the Northern Pacific coast with tho Atlantic coast
was concluded at halfpast o'clock this afternoon
in the presence of large crowd, and amidst the
booming of cannon.
PRESIDENT vILLARD's ADDRESS.
During the ceremonies speeches were made by
President Willard. by William NJ. Evarts, ex-Secrss
tary of State. and by Frederick Billings formerly
president of the Northern Pacific.
After thanking his guests for their presence President
Willard said: "O1r work means the conquest of new
fields for general commercs aud industry 1t creates
new highway between Europe America and Asia. Tha
population Of the States aud Territories traversed by
road largely made up from the European natonaltles
represented here We deemed it t and proper there.
FORE to bid speak, both the old and the world
to this celebration Ia other words to arrange sort
OF International Festival We hope, moreover that
In tns hour aud ndissolube bond will be formed
between the to the east and to the west OF
these Rocky Mountains, this gathering may also
strengthen the ties of good will and friendship between
the Republic of North America and the parent countries
OF Europe Thanks the foresight OF President Thomas
Jefferson, we'll nigh four score years ago. Lewis and
Clark oiled through these mountains the hrst ex-
plorers OF AngloAmerican origin and lifted the veil
that hid from civilized mankind the regions watered By
the Upper Missouri, the Yellowstone the Columbia and
their tributaries The exploits OF these gifted and fear
less the germ, the full frution Of which
celebrate this day"
Mr. Willard then referred In general terms to tho his.
tory OF the Northern Pacific Railroad and the difficulties
that had to be before much with the
line could be made Referring to the engineering work
he said You have enough OF the work to form
idea of its difficulty its vastness. its costlinesa You
have the testimony OF eyes that this highway
had to be carved it were out ofa very Wilderness
where found nothing TO help usno labor, food.
habatons, material, means Of transportation.
But you perceive only finished results; the dramatic
incidents Of their achievement are not disclosed to you.
Rolling along smoothly, merry and luxuri0usly over
the ne how can you know tnat the bridges over which
we pass were built while the subdued rivers were MD,
that defiance was bidden TO the seasons and tue pick
Sad Be cleared Though TUCK eus
snow, and on frozen ground thawed by fires y ..
fee could have never been reared out for the beraty
OF the people OF United states acting through tho
our land grant: for the devotion aud sagaclty OF the
steered craft in the days or distress and
holders the confidence OF the public the powerful help
Of financial aies and last but far from least for the
company aud for the myrads OF honest oiers who
earned their bread In the sweat OF their brows for our
OF will stand forever 1t may also forever be an
immortal honor TO It's founders noble monument to its
builders permanent pride and profit to its owners and.
most OF all, an everlasting blessing to man"
EX-sECRErARY EvARTs's SPEECH.
Mr.. Eyarts in his speech referred to the early
plans of fifty years ago for the bullding of such
railroad, and praised the land grant system.
After few Introductory remarks he said: III havc
spoken Of prophecy, faith and works az all
controuory to the Of this enterprise, and 50.
indeed they have been. Neither OF them could have
been spared from this or from any weighty and impos
ing task of human endeavor. Forecast confidence aud
labor will accomplish whatever within the compass OF
mans power. 4. The prophecy and advocacy OF
railroad Pacific coast possession, to the Columbia
River and Pugets Sound. followed close upon tho
first introduction this country Of this system Of traf
tc and travel As early as 1884. when the arrival or
departure of railroad train had still something OF
novelty in Boston. q village physician In western
Massachusetts,, Dr. samuel Barlow, the father Of Mr.
Barlow, OF New-York. we'll known on both sides the
Atlantic as eminent solicitor pressed upon tho alton
tion of his counrymen. In articles showing great fore
cast and sagaciy tue vast importance and the clear
feasibility OF such enterprise as that whose compile
ton we this day celebrate. DIR. Parker, distin-
guished missionary to the Oregon Indians, who had
repeatedly the route In 1888 to 1885 asserted
that there was difficulty in such railroad than
In one between Boston and Albany and prophesed that
the time was not distant when tours would he made
across the continent they were then made to Niagara
Willis Gaylord Clark in 1888, In an eloquent
exposition of the subject IN a leading maga-
zine, asseverated that the reader is now living
who will make a raiiroad Trip across TINS
vast continent Penetrated with this feeling, the mis-
sonary Whitman, IN 1872 started on winter journey
to Wash,n gon across the Rocky Mountains, TO awaken
the state Department to the movements going on, In
British to ALLEVIATE from us our Oregon posses
slons Under this impulse diplomatic negotiations vera
pushed aud guided till the treaty OF ls3o drew the
the Joint possession, Thus. all the eay instincts and
aspirations this coGueclion fastened
tnemselyes upon TINS northern route The spread OF
know edge aud zeal IN the minds and hearts OF our
couptrymen had do WITH this project and no other
~ ,,,,,, -, .>,r, op srps,p,rs ro r,p po.n
NO EACho'f 4 ", ~. - ,s...,"
Mr. Evaris tnen spoke oil tne history VI 'no eer.
nrise and aid: To YOU Mr. Willard, and TO you, Gov.
- Si,n =, vou Mr. Rilliups and all the other pres-
erhor o"'"' " 'o1' ~ ~ 81 - - ..I.
idents present or absent; 10 you ana Ill others VINO
felt arms lean on them Tor supports tns oay
crowns your aDors, ana we, your y oh csn anu
vrnr 10 ,,nfod the manifold auaites