Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-05-30
TIIE EAST RIVER BRIDGE.

Kingsley said in substances In the presence
of this great assemblage the pleasing duty
devolves on me to formally announce to the
chief magistrates of these two municipali-
ties that this bridge is now ready 10 be
opened for public use, and il subject in its
control and management only to such re-
strictions as the people to whom it belongs
may choose to inn ose upon themselves. The
trustees are content to let this great struc-
tnre speak for them, and TO speak more fit
tingly and eloquently yet for the skillful,
faithful, daring men who have given so many
yeirs of their lives, and, in several instances,
even their lives to the work. With one name
this bridge will always be associated-that of
Roebling. As is well known, the man that
designed this bridge lost his life in its
service. The main designs were, however,
completed by the elder Roehling before his
death. In the prosecution of the work twenty
men lost their lives. Peace has its victories
and it has its victims and its martyrs too. Of
the seven consulting engineers TO whom the
matured plans of the elder Roebling were
submitted three have passed away. In con-
clusion, il remains for me to add that the
two cities rose at all times TO the level of the
spirit of our time aud country. Their
citizens staked millions on what seemed to
many TO be an experiment. How solid it is,
how far removed it is from all sense Of ap-
prehension how severely practical it is IN
all its relations, and how great factor in the
corporate lives of these cities it is destined
TO be, we all now realize. This bridge has
cost many millions of dollars, and has taken
many years to build. ] may say ON this
occasion tat the people who have con-
tributed tn its erection would not part with
the bridge to-day for even twice or thrice
its cost
Mayor Low, in accepting the completed
bridge on behalf of the city of Brooklyn, de-
! livered an address. A city of Geo 600 inhabi-
tants, he said, welcomed with enthusiasm the
wonderful creation of genius, completed after
fourteen years labor and at the sacrifice of
many lives. Let us, he said, give our need
of praise to the humblest workman who did
his duty as well as to the great engineer who
| told him what to do The importance of the
| bridge in its far-Ieaching effect batlled the
| imagination. Brooklyn becomes available
henceforth as place of residence TO
thousands who would otherwise be prevented
from availing of its accom- da-
tons. What the Erie canal had proved 10
commerce would the great bridge prove to
rapid transit between the sister cities. As
the development of the great West had not
belittled but enlarged New York, so would
Brooklyn grow by reason of the bridge-not,
however, at the expense of New York, but to
the permanent advantage of the latter city.
Courage, enterprise, skill, faith and endur
ance, said the mayor, in conclusion, are the
qualities which have made the great bridge,
and these are the qualities which will make
they never may be lacking in our midst!
Mayor Edison, on accepting the bridge on
behalf of the city of New York, said The
city of New York joyfully unites with the
city OF Brooklyn in sincere congratu lations
upon the successful completion of this grand
highway, establishing, as 1t does, an endur-
ing alliance between these two great cities,
We are enabled this day 10 recognize the
fact that common and unbroken current
flows through the veins of each which must
add to the strength, healthful growth anC
prosperity of both and we believe that what
has thus been joined together shall
never be put asunder. To look forward
twenty years and attempt TO discern the
condition of things in this metropolis If they
shall continue to move forward on the same
scale of progress, Is an undertaking that few
can grasp. No one dares accept the posi-
bilit!es that are forced upon the uind in thu
course of its contemplation. Will these two
cities, ere then, have been consolidated int
one great municipality, numberI & within 1T
limits more than five million people? vii
the progress of improvement and the prepa
ration for commerce, manufactures an'
trade, and for the comforts of home for poo
ind rich, have kept pace with the demand il
the great and growing city,
After cornet solo by Mr.. j. Levy the Hon
Abram ). Hewett delivered an Grafton. ii
was followed by the Rev. Richard $. Storrs
ID. ID. Tins was followed by music by tn
Seventh Regiment band.
At the close of the ceremonies the Presi
dent, the governor and n few other invite
, guests, under the escort of the Twenty thir'
/ regiment, passed from the station acros
J Fulton street to Middagh, through Middag
! to Cranberry, and through Cranberry /
Columbia flights, and to the residence o
I Mayor Low, where dinner plates were lai
for eighteen.
l After the formal exercises on the bridge
0 a reception was given by Colonel w. A. Roe
bling, the invalid engineer, at his home i
I Brooklyn. Colonel Roebing stood at hi
8 wifes side, Just inside the arlor door, who
= the President and Mayor Low entered tn
n room together Governor Cleveland an
= staff and Mayor Edison were also presen
o Mrs, Roebling was dressed in black, and
y knot OF violets was in her belt. The parloi
: rapidly filled. Many of the visitors WEI
ladies, and nearly every lady carried larp
# bouquet of roses in her hand. Music WI
o furnished by band in balcony on IL
r. river side of the house. A luncheon WI