The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-06-24

Go into that university and talk to
those grand professors, and they will tell
you that nowhere on earth have they ever
seen such thirst and aptitude for learn
ing, as among these bright-eyed Texas
young men; yes, and girls to. Look at
the beautiful structure from top to bot
tom, and you will scarcely see where
mark has defaced the walls of their alma
mater.
When this university has once prepared
our youth to come here and take charge
of this grand state when they are once
heard in the halls of Legislation, Texas
will feel the impulse of loftier progress,
like an electric shock in all her borders.
While we cherish fond memories of
the old Texas, let us look with hopeful
ness and faith to the new, and trust that
this capital, which occupies site as
healthful and beautiful as any on earth,
may become the centre of lofty civil
cation.
Then the band gave the assemblage of
ladies and gentlemen some excellent
music, when
COL. JOEL H. B. MILLER
was called upon by the audience and spoke
briefly. He said he was mere spectator
come to mingle with his fellow citizens on
the happy event of that which called them
together to-day. He had noticed that the
distinguished gentlemen who preceded
him, Governor Ireland and Judge Terrell,
seemed to think it was hard matter to
make speech on bridge. He thought,
perhaps, as both gentlemen were stand
infy m the hanEc nf nnlitiCol Rnhionrn
that if politics had not been introduced,
each would have readily constructed
political position which each hoped would
carry him over the river, where he could
lie down III the pleasant shades of the
classic halls of the senate chamber of the
United States, but as he (the speaker) was
not political aspirant, he could welcome
material improvement. From the dug
out to the ferry boat, from the ferry boat
to the bridge, from toll bridge to a free
bridge, each was long aud grand step in
the march of civilization and improvement.
1t was the spirit of improvements pleas
ant to human contemplation, that opened
harbors extended and widened public
ways and babe the sea be obedient to the
helm of commerce.
me bright improvement on the car of time,
And vail this spacious earth from cline to cline;
Come with thy hand maid, art, and natures wiids
explore,
Grace every land and culture every shore.
Texas was vie ding to this spirit under
the hand of the genius of adventure.
Railroads were linking her interests to-
gether and stretching out their arms to
grasp to her bosom the busy marts of the
world. Day by day we are making these
strides of improvement, and the magnifi-
cent bridge that spans the Colorado was
not the least attestation of the fact.
The motto woven in evergreen upon the
bridge to-day, "The Union of the North
and South" may be taken with broader
significancy; for however, much we honor
Judge Fillmore and the county commits
sioners for the consummatlon of this de-
sir6ble object, we must not forget that
the enterprise that planned this beautiful
park-immigrants from the north-were
quietly and effectively aiding the county
authorities, and may this union of the
north and south side of the river, this
uRiOn of Austin and Fairview park, re-
dound also to their advantage"
Later in the day the stand was utilized
by devotees at the shrine of TerpsichorC
and merry feet mingled in the dance unit
the sun went home behind the horizon.
The crowd was estimated at between
1000 and 10000 persons on the ground a
one time during the day.
FIREWORKS.
The bridge at night was illuminated
by hundreds of Japanese Ian
terms, which made beautiful effect. Tht
fireworks consisted of bountiful display
of Greek fire, Roman candles, rockets
and bombs. They were fired from the
bridge, and the many colored balls OF
fire filling the heavens, the long, comet
like rockets darting heavenward anG
bursting into shower of variegated huec
of falling stars, and the illuminated bridge
ITSELF was a beautiful sight. The lover
end of the Avenue and the bridge were
crowded with on-lookers in carriages and
on foot to witness this, the brilliant close
of an eventful day.
The exodus from Austin to visit the
barbecue was most extraordinary. The
old, well known toll-keeper at the bridge
kept tally, and said from the beginning OF
the procession at 1870 to O'Clock, the
legitimate vehicles bound for the barbe
cue, numbered 1924. But before and
after that time, fully 300 vehicles wendell
their way to Fairview park.
At night an impromptu dance wai
held on the park grounds and a genera
reception was given by Mr.. and Mrs. New
ming to their friends, at their new ant
handsome residence.