The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-04-06
ADDRESS or COL.
B. v. VR[NN,
.n,,smen of the American Association Of
s,,,sra, Passenger and Ticket Agents:

G mn happy III the PiiNiiesS " a., '
.,,,. members of this association IN the
' ... y, p;cbmond. the pride and adornment
~! ~, ,,,tive Stnte--a city famed alike Tor
'N;.,arir INST and the Incompatible hos
;.l,.,,' NJ lis peoplc--then might trust to
INA ,hn llv and paint the rose" 20 the de-
,srntad fancy of even the most aesthetic
,eneraI passenger agent on ehrth anu si'e
Oh ON hearing. ii is pleasure far beyond
oa' hounds of trivial enjoyment to meet
nv n.. IN ,net, who make up this crganiza-
- = privilege to be priced. You play no
nvoons,derable part In the citizenship OF
sn,inent and stand for that homogeneous
amerlcan type of progressive mannooo
M ,s 10 be found In the railroad world OF
n nun, America, whether your home be IN
". 1-njted States, Canada or Mexico.
Nv, ,i,is busy age of work "A day life, par
,nn,arIy with respect to the field oil labor
,,nich we Dre engaged, struggling with
no nerplexing problems that confront us
aj,y n is no triling task 10 undertake a
iscourse with which one may reasohaoiy
80 10 entertain an audience consisting OF
IT, hrl,,ht and buoyant spirits. the ready
trds and dauntless hearts that direct the
r,rorous tide of passenger traffic OF tho
,oet progressive halt of this world. Shad-
,od he The conscious doubt of achieving
uccsss In the duty that brings me here,
ourht for some time an idea Which !
k,iC oh
eaten pnth to give some slight scope for
,,cgastiye thought or moments enter
Eminent thought about the great world
d strife. of din and confusion. tho turmoil
nd tliscord Of this modern age OF business
nd of the part the general PASSENGER
rent plays therein. but banished the dis
acting picture with the instantaneous
salvation that this was the last subject
M an Grafton nj such time as this. ]
,ouph, about the wondrous history OF
mertcan railroads; how they have grown
bort this hemisphere like some friendly
inc TO give support to every tendril OF IN
Irrational growth; how tho stage coach
former days has rusted by the wayside
here now fly the gilded wheels of modern
tayel and how, like magic, In so short n
me nations have been linked in close
numerical embrace by rail and cross tic;
ut to discourse upon such history before
he very men who make it would be tame
nd commonplace at best. While thinking
long this line. the din and dust of the
Isy streets below mingling with the
both.ng lullaby of railroad bells and the
lsy hum of Industry from the factories
ose at hand, far out over the busting
reefs Of a splendid city my eyes leisurely
andered to the suburban delights OF rural
ndscapes lust far enough away TO look
bzy, reposeful. dreamy and inviting, and
pleasing the picture of rest. contentment
!
Ae noisy whirl OF railroad life to find en-
krtaining subjects for modern railroad
en. But the dreamy landscape soon was
hanged scene of life and vigorous ac-
bn was the Transformation when out from
10 woodland into tho wide stretching fields
se some proud mo larch clad ir armor of
lack leading with strong triumphant hand
train of willing captives and his pre-
ous cargoes from the great commercial
(nters far heyond-out from the forests
hd over the fields came the conqueror:
wv the great gusts of steaming breath
pm his fiery throat and heard his piercing
tout OF triumph. which plainly seemed
say: THE kings business requires
ste," i SAW this picture and gazed In
mira,ion upon the subject OF my theme
r fellow citizen, the locomotive.
Not a century ago he came among us.
s first long march was from Charleston
ross the picturesque little state of South
rolina TO point on tho Savannah river,
is being the first trip over hundred
les ever made by n locomotive in the
prld. Only since 1890. then may he be
ven credit'to citizenship, hut during this
mparatively brief time, who can under
ke to tel of his achievements? Who can
scribe the value Of his public service?
and IN hand with the men OF means OF
Us country who have given him friendly
c0gniion he has gone about the marvel
ds the strange office today of being both
slave and the master Of men. He pays
taxes 10 the general government. and,
lile he holds strictly to his path Of pri-
te life, demands rightful recognition
'm the body polite. Not only does he
his taxes TO the States. but in many
'ances Is made 20 give tribute unto each
Sn and county through which his course
he directed by the demands of tho
Ollie he scrves Then why. forsooth. is he
cur fellow-cltizen In all that makes the
pe OF Usefulness of American citizenship
ming OF high National Importance? TO
OF his service in the ma terlal advance
MT OF nations. the promotion of cviliZa-
and the elevation OF society would he
open an endless book and say behold,
yen OF his lahors as missionary, his
tx Tor the publication of the soul would
70 stand aside in the dark and point far
the dense shades of night with the
Huen stream OF life and light from his
~ lamp as II makes silver of the rails
1ing over the mountain crags to the
hehed lands beyond. Wherever TINT
-, mas penetrated there mon have been
ue better and more worthy of their
alors Image. Countless churches and
Sol houses have sprung up beside the
~ o, mat bright flame as II sped along
'ush new lands Of illitcracy and crime,
mankind hns been brought to rejoice
.ne GAVIN of n brighton day. maze all The
Ky glorious because of the long dark
u, lhrouahout which they hnd been
s,hg' Were called upon tic name that
M most strongly illustrates the mission
ms prince In black armor abroad IN our
would point to tho lamp that leads
oh-the jewel on his breast as he
nes iorth beneath tho stars while others
p hurting myriads of crystal lights
~ me aewdrops along his path. trans
",lhs me land lie in,adcs into vcrita-
,aFyiahd of life and light and obtrlid-
pon me lazy meditations of great Ma
WIN MS clarion shout of triumph.
lays OF war, warrior indeed IL he
~ mat hurts great armies two hun
r - 'h''es away In n single night ard
I'm city while its people s,ill are
~ ils ne that takes food and raiment
e, soiaiers' camp. and he the foe cares
go ~. 20 capture, What thrilling picture
.",,e'nplate on the pages of history that
go, ~ me dreadful conflict between the
o onsral and the Texas" two historic
,r" "o,Nes Of the Western and Atlantic
oau played hide and seek for more
Ia hundred miles. the former manned
'n n, soldiers. the latter by Confedcr-
ne incident has gone to history and
,@ nslar to all who are posted on the
VI secession how the "General' was
,So ,eu by Federal spies and how the
s,.,ts crew rushed from the break
A.aNoh TO recapture their engine. en-