The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-07-24

Duttgoe a vi oVuuu
Ragged Along the Three Rivers.
Three hundred thousand people,
it is estimated, saw the Monongahe-
la river yesterday dedicated to the
free and untrammeled use of com
merce, and realized more than they
ever could under other circum-
stances, that this great God given
highway was once again to be the
path whereby the products of the
Monongahela valley were to be car
ried untaxed and unrestricted from
farm, factory, mine and mill to tide
water. 1t was great day for Pitts
burg, a great day for the people of
the Monongahela valley and for all
the people of the chain of States ex-
tending from West Virginia to Loui-
siana that line the navigable water
ways connecting the little giants of
States at the head of the Mononga-
hela, with the great State that gives
mouth to the Mississippi, the king
of waters.
1t was just 10 o'clock when the
signal gun doomed from the deck of
the Tom Dodsworth and the flagship
Elizabeth backed out from the wharf.
The other boats followed in regular
order and the monster parade that
was to commemorate the greatest
event in the history of Pittsburg
was begun. Thousands of people
had gathered on the wharf as early
as S:30 o'clock to witness the start
and many thousands joined this
great crowd later, some to GO ON the
steamers of the fleet and the others
to stand by and watch the inspiring
sight. From the Sixth street bridge.
which was living mass of humani-
ty, along the wharves and banks of
the three rivers to the Riverside pen
itentiary, were strung the people
who had come to witness the marine
demonstration. From every. throat
came cheers and hosannahs as the
parade, headed by the Elizabeth,
proceeded slowly down the river.
To the plaudits of the multitude
were added the boom of cannon, the
scream of whistles and the ringing
Of deep toned steamer bells. On the
steamers of the fleet the inspiring
and stirring strains of music added
to the enjoyment of the crowds.
Forty steamers and a score of
yachts formed in regular procession
there being four divisions. The boats
were dashed two and two. All the
boats were profusely decorated. Ar
irving at the first lock salute of
seven guns, one for each lock freed
was fired. The exercises were be.
gun at once. Rev. d. f. McGill in
yoked divine blessing on the pro
ceedings and the great object for
which they were held.
James Francis Burke, the orator
of the day, made lengthy speech,
saying among other things: "The
industrial world is to-day restlessly
awaiting the result of a struggle be-
tween capital and labor, between
those who delve among the duslzy
diamonds of the earth beneath the
glare of miners lamp and those
who control the great coal produe-
ing territory of the United States.
Many miners are facing starvation
and many operators are staring in
the face of bankruptcy, and behind
it all is the great question of rela-
tive cost of transportation. Even
to them this day and occasion We
celebrate should bring a CLEAN of
hope for better days.
''The freer the channels of trade
from unjust and unequal barriers
the less frequent will occur the de-
plorable contests between capital
and labor, and with more equalized
facilities and rates of transportation
the less occasion for strife. The
emancipation of every stream has its
resulting beneficial influence upon
the world of trade, and as trade
thrives labor prospers. That is the
law of our American development
and the source of our national pre-
eminence.
During his speech Mr.. Burke re-
ferred to the hard work of Admiral
bravo, and he was interrupted while
the mighty crowd sent up three
cheers for the veteran.
John BIndley, the president of the
Chamber of Commerce, was the next
speaker. Mr.. Bindley said the time
was one for rejoicing, and he gladly
commingled his happiness with that
OF the great multitude. He paid
magnificent tribute to John F. Ora
vo, and after reviewing the story of
what the day meant for Pittsburg
and the Monongahela valley closed
with the expressed hope that the
great jubilee was the forerunner of
an unbroken period of progress and
prosperity.
Senator G. L. Magee, who next adj
dressed the vast crowd, said that
it was fitting that this Fourth of
July of the Monongahela should be
celebrated with music and oratorv
1t was indeed Fourth of July. he
said, for no event since the signing
of the Declaration of Independence
would secure greater benefits to the
people of the Monongahela valley.
And as the names of the signers of
the Declaration of independence
were remembered and treasured, so,
he said, would be the names of the
signers of this declaration of free
Monongahela be remembered and
treasured; referring to John T. Ora
yo, to whose great work and interest
in the matter, and to Congressman
Dalzell, 70 TLcac nntiring and cour-
agoOus work and brilliant statesmen
ship were due the result which they
were celebrating.
George II. Anderson reviewed the
vast benefits that the free river
would bring to the people of every
walk in life who lived within the
territory reached by the great water
way, and DR.. I. n Boyle eulogized
Congressman Dalzell and the others
to whose efforts the free river was due
Admiral bravo closed the exer-