Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-09-09
DAILY POST MfELiGEECgR.
Completion Of the Northern
Pacific Railroad!
Addresses at the Driving Of
the Last Tor Cold Spike
in Montana, September
Sth, 1883.


Il 10 ray agreeable duty ana very Rieai
Measure 70 offer a hearty welcome TO
this distinguished assemblage ON this
memorable occasion and IN These 70
markable surroundings. To you, the
representatives of foreign nations, the
members of the executive, Legislative
and iudicial branches Of the United
States Government, the Governors of
States and Territories, the representa-
tiyss of the European and American
Press, and our guests from abroad and
at home generally, 70 you. one and ali. j
beg 70 offer, in the name OF the North
ern Pacific railroad Company, profound
thanks for your kind presence and par
ticipatiOn in this the most important
event of our corporate existence. Our
work means the conquest of new fields
for general oommerce and industry. 1t
creates q new highway between Europe,
America and Asia. The population of
the States and Territories traversed by
our road Is largely made up from the
European nationaiIties represented here.
We deemed il fit and proper. therefore.
70 bid, 90 70 speak. both the Old and the
New Worlds 70 this celebration; or, in
other words, 20 arrange sort of inter
national festival. Many of you have
crossed the ocean, and all have Travelled
great distances, in order to be with as
today. he pleased TO accept my assur-
snoe that We gratefully appreciate your
sscrisce Of time and comfort. In re-
turn. No earnestly wish to do our guests
all possible honor and TO give them all
possible pleasure, and we trust that this
trsuscontinental journey has been and
will be an unalloyed enjoyment TO them.
We hope, moreover, that a. In this hour
4 new and indissoluble bond will be
formed between the countries 10 the east
and 70 the west Of these Rocky Mount
aims. this gathering may also strengthen
the ties Of good will and friendship be-
tween thu republic of North America and
the parent countries of Europe.
Thanks 70 the foresight of President
Thomas Jefferson. wellnigh four score
years ago, Lewis andClark toiled through
these mountains az the first explorers Of
Anglo American origin, and lifted the
veil that hid from civilized mankind the
regions watered by the Upper Missouri,
the Yellowstone, the Col .inbia and their
tributaries. The exploits Of these gift
cd and fearless men were the rich germ.
the full fruition of which We celebrate
this day.
More eloquent lips than mine will de-
scribe 10 you the long and singular but
interesting process of evolution by which
our enterprise slowly grew out OF the
discoveries then made with 10 much in
telligence and courage. They will tell
you how the record Of these discoveries
hrst gave rise, a. long as nearly half a
century ago, TO prophetic visions of q
tTansContinental railroad along Lewis
and Clark's route, and how, within ten
years after these visions we're FIRST en-
bodied in print, they filed the mind Of
one man with such fire OF enthusiasm 10
TO move him to 20 forth. like another
apostle, and 10 spend the best years Of
his life and all he possessed in the prop
agation of his faith. You will learn
how In the end he became very martyr
10 his belief, but how the project of a
railroad 70 the Pacific, despite the fail
ure Of it, first prophet, made converts,
spread widely and grew into popularity,
until u finally attained TO the importance
Of leading public question and object
Of national legislation.
You will be shown how the northern
route. which 1t first was the only one
thought Of, gradually lost prestige aud
other routes took prominence. You will
go the quaint figure of an honest vision
AIRY appear upon the scene, first az the
promoter Of an odd illusion, and next
- the moving spirit in the formal birth
and christening Of our enterprise
through the Congressional charter OF
1864. You will hear that the charter
failed TO give real life to the corporation,
owing 10 certain abnormal textures en-
grated upon IL, and that IL passed
eventually to the control Of wise, expe-
ri6nced and influential men, but who,
however, also failed Mt first 10 attract
the needed capital until those features
we're eradicated by Congressional
amendment.
Then the brilliant episode in our his
tory will pass before you In which an
able, bold and resolute man was the
central figure, 70 whom, most of all, the
Company owes is practical existence.
You will BIO reminded how the hopeful
brightness OF that period was cciipsed
by tho black darkness of the oataclysm
Of l872. Our fabric seemed then 10 be
lost In bott0mless pit, Yet AN entire
resurrection followed, owing 10 the in
hcrent vitality Of tho prostrate body,
~ - ause Hpp,ication OF the
1910 souios VI ioroc'osure ana 70
VI -
1nsFe va no immediate restoration
10 very active life. Years OF slow recu-
peeatiou followed, until tho advent of
we exstsotuinsfy revival OF commerce
me inoe:sfy generally, and OF railroad
undertakings especially, in the years
le5S and l6s0. Tho saRacious men who
t1en uirectoo sne Oompanys AFFAIRS saw
sneif patience rewarded and the time
npe once more Tor she resumption OF
o0n.stuGslon wofk on the road.
Xney began causaousiy, seeking what
ves oeno!e rasner thnn what was de
1kAose. Al q once Fortune smiled with
nmse0se ,a1,ance upon the Company. A
1nanoasi Ahanoe with . great syndicate
as formed: lsa conclusion meant no
ntne - tnan tne assurance OF all the
oAgstN requifsd 20 complete the road
me thereby sne END q all uncertaint,
" we Pc peoss OF me Company-a leap
IN snotss smso 9ooreo success.
van : uooo woe 10 the Company !,
sasutys snere aroee not only tne posi-
o...sy ou. INC ncoesasy OF pushing ths
o3nsstuosion OF our transcontinental linz
WIN sne utmost energy. hope may
% permitted 70 aay that va have strivef
20 90 our Iuii DUTY, ana 70 obtain ths
keescss enors Of vhioh human brain
sAa muscles. stimulated by unlimited
eApatei. are capable, IN given time and
IN D1RfOd dfroNtiO0 Work IN fha ~, 1 .,