The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-16
"BANDS OF STEEL"
Washington and British Columbia United
By Railroad Connection.

FARHAvEN (Wash.), Feb. 15.-The last
spike in the track which unites Washington
and British Columbia was driven at II
o'clock yesterday, in the presence of about
5000 persons from beth sides of the line.
The Fairhayen and Southern road forms the
American line and the Westminster South
ern the British. Trains arrived at the boun-
dary line, on which are Blaine, WASH, and
Blaine, B. c., at 1880 o'clock, each accom-
panied by a band. The American band
played Hail Columbia" The rails were
then placed in position. Governor Laughton
of Washington. Governor Nelson of Brit
iSh Columbia, President Hendry of
the New Westminster Southern, and
President G. Y. Larrabee OF the
FairhaYen and Southern drove the
spikes and then Mrs. Nelson and Mrs.
Laughton, with small silver hammers. drove
them home. Governor Laughton expressed
the wish that no blow might ever be struck
between the two countries except in friend
ship, and three hearty cheers went up from
the crowd. The Canadian band played
Gud Save the Queen" and then "rhe Star
Spansled Banner" and the crowd repaired
to the Blaine Opera House. where Mayor
Cornish OF Blaine delivered an address of
welcome. In response Governor Nelson re-
viewed the progress Of railroads in British
Columbia and the present Sound country.
he declared that to-day'S event marked an
olo III titO hlSbotN VI ldIlIOhuS Ill Inc 1uCluc
Northwest, and attributed the rapid pro-
gress of Washington and British Columbia
to railroad building.
Governor Laughton described the line
dividing the Stale and Province as inagi-
nary, and expressed the friendship and
good will for the people Of British Co.
lumbia.
The following telegram was then read
from James e. Blaine, Secretary of State,
to the Mayor and citizens OF Blaine, a town
named in his honor:
II is with the most kindly feeling that nv
thoughts tuIn toward you and your British
brothers to-day, wie you assemble to perform
The solemn ceremonies Of connecting your
wonderful countries In a commercial union and
IL Is my most earnest wish and hope that the
bonds formed to-day by you may NOT be only OF
commercial unlou, but Of that gtander and
nobler broheriy love that Will uniie in the end
RS TWO nations in one ne;fect union, and. with
ycui port Of eutiy, which your Congressman in
form me, VIII be established, you VIII be placed
IN io>iIinn to open grand gateway OF two
mighy nations May success attend your under
taxing, and good VIII and peace be with you all.
II. \. Thompson delivered an address on
Ihe Bands OF Steel" reviewing the his
tory Of the joint railroad and its construc-
tion, and eXpreSSln. a hope for the ultimate
union OF the two countries.
John Brown, member of the Provincial
Parliament and Mayor of New WeStmin-
ster, expressed similar sentiments, and
ciesed by expressing hope that the rela-
tons OF the TWO countries might grow closer
ana cIcstr, so that by and by they would
not lie aOie To find the boundary line at all
John Robson Premier of British Colum-
bia, expressed JOY at the union effected and
hoped further union would take place,
but not BiHine's kind of union, though he
hoped for n union in commerce He be-
lleved in T ciprocity, but could not 90 as
far as Blaine and Mayor Brown and form
complete commercial and political union.
He believed a political union was not for
the interest of either country, bnt they
should join in all enterprises calculated to
make both great. Let them not try to
knock the two nations into one, Tor they
would be too big for the earth TO contain.
After short 5; eeches by Jay Ewing,
United States Consul at New Westminster,
and E. NJ. Wilson the party returned to the
trains. The Fairhaven party were enter
tanned at New Westminster and the New
Westminster party at Fairhayen.
The Fairhaven and Southern and New
Westminster Southern roads are TO form a
connecting link betN cen the Canadian Pa
cifc and the new transcontinental line of
the GTea. Northern road. now under con-
s;ruction. It is the first line across the
boundary west OF the State lue between
Montreal and North Dakota II was bought
by the Great Northern last March.