Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 1, 1883, Page 10

. torminus in Omaha, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 158 OMAHA DAILY BEE-- e ———————- ) GREAT FEpocA ! The Breaking of Gronod for the First Railway Across the Continent Twenly Years Ago. The Inauguration of the Union Pacific on the Banks of the Missonri in 1863, A Memorable Day at Omahe George Franois Train Makes The Speech of His Life. Andrew J. Poppleton Delivers an Eloquent and Patri- otic Address. The Building of the Road, the Early Struggles of the Projec= tors and Final Triumph, The Most &gantic Enterprise of Modern Times Completed in 8ix Years, An Excursion to the End of the Track, and the Speech of Senator Wade, “The Oelebration of the Completion of the Road at Promontory Point and Omaha, A Vast Amount ot Interesting Data Bearing on the Construction of the Great Highway, For two hund red years after the firat ehipload of Englishmen landed upon North American soil at Jamestown, in Virginia, the greater half of the conti- nent west of the Mississippi romained as great lines of commu'.feation with the Mississippi valley and the west are made up of parta original'y having little refer- ence to each other,, “lndeed, the Ameri- can roads, cepe cially in tho west, have been gradually called into existence to suoply & vacd they thermselves have created, and which did not in the begn. g exist. The Baltimore & Ohio au date, the Penmsylvania roads g the Ohio with Baltimore sand Philadelphin, the Molsle & ! hio, con necting that river with tho Gulf of Mexi co, may be cnlled the first through lines Tho necesity of eonnecting mewly- daveloped Pacific states with the older body gave riso to the most extended sys tem of reconnoissarce and survey through a vast expanso of mountain-chain and desert, as the plaing wero called, for the detormination of practicable routes, and tinally to the rapid construction of the most vemarkable through line of railway in the world In 1850 THE FIRST PACIPIC RATIROAD BILL was introduced into congress by Senator Benton, of Missonri. The project of a Pacific railroad, however, had been dis- cussed at times for soveral yoars beforo Seunator Benton introduced the initial ill. The idea was not original with him, and it is safo to say that tho idea was auggested to him by his son-in law, John C. Fremont, the great American path- finder, whoso early explorations across the continent are matters of well-known history, who in 1842 explored the South Pass. Then followed several other ex- peditions through the vast west, and he surveyed a route fora great road from the Miswissippi to San Francisco. Aftor the close of the war of the rebellion he occupied himsolf to a great extont in for- warding tho interests of a southern trans- continental railway. Incidentally it m ight be mentioned that had not the war of the rebellion occurred tho first trana- continental railway would very likely have been by a southern reute, probably slarting from St. Lounis, In 1851, Hon. 8 Butler King submitted a_plan which was universally approved. It was to the offuct that the government should guar- antee to any company or persons who would undertake and complete the road anet dividend of b per cent_for fifty or one hundred years; the road to be con- strusted under the supervision of an en- gineor appointed by the government, the cost of the road not to excoed a certain sum, and the guarantee not to bogin until the road was completed and equipped for operation. In 1853 54 nine routes were survoyed across the continent on various parallels, under the supervision of Jeffor- son Davis, then secretary of war With cach returning mession of congress tho benefits and peculiarities of these several = much an unknown land as was central Africa before the explorations ot Living- stone and Stanley. Seventy years ag an expedition to ex- plore this unknown region was fitted out mnder President Jefferson. The explor- <ers, Captains Lewis and Clarke, crossed the Mississippi somawhere near St. Louis and ascended the Missouri river with boats cordeled by hand. On August3 1804, they reached a @oint about nineteen miles above Omaha, mear the present site of KFort Calhoun, where they held a council with the Indians, and named the spot Council Bluffs, 3 Explorations of the country between tlie Missouri river and tho Pacific slope wero mado by various army officers, and in 1842 Lieut. John 0. Fromont led the firat expedition to explore the country from the Missouri river to the Rocky mountains on the line of the Kansas and Great Platte rivers, In 1846 he ed another expedition across the Racky mountains and the Sierra Nevadas to t1e Pacific const. The preliminiry expedi- tions, which wero followed by tho migra- ¢ion of the Mormons into Utah during the yoars that succoedod tho annexation of California, led to the establiskment of the overland stage routo and pony ox- pross. In 1861 congross chartered the Pacific telograph, of which Ydward Creighton of Omaha, was the chief pro- jeotor and builder, and who, upon its ©ompletion, July 4th, 1862, located its The Paoifio tele- graph was ths forerunner of the Pacitic railway. While the Pavifio tolegraph was under construction, the Paoific rail- woad bill was penling in congross, and only four daya bafure the electric spark #lashod across the continent in ono con- tinuous circuit, the Pacific railroad act was signed by President Lincoln, Tho twentioth anniversary of the breaking of ground at Omaha for the first railway across the continent occurs on the 21 of December, 1883, That day marks an important epoch notonly in the history of Omaha, but also in tho history of the United States and the entiro North Amorican continont, Thoe Bee colubratos this anniversary by prosonting an extended acoount of the ©xoroises that took place on that day twouty years ago, in Omaha. Wo also publish a brief history of the gi- gantic undertaking, whioh has so mato- rially doveloped the western couatry and ©ausod a revolution in the commerce of the world, TIB PIRST STEAM BAILROADS, The first steam railroad in the world was the Darlington & Stockton, in Eng- land, a distance of 37 miles, complsted in 1825, and the first sucoessful locomotive was the Rocket. Tho first railroad in the United States was the Baltimore & Ohio, work on which was begun on the 4th of July, 1828, To Peter Cooper was due tho oonstruction of the first American loco. motive, which was built for the Balti- more & Ohio, to show that steam might bo adapted to curved roads. A trip made to Ellicott's Mills, deawing an open car filled with the directors and othera, was the first land-journcy by steam in America, Batween the years 1828 and 1833, in addition to the “Baltimore seroral other roads were started, among the namber buing the Baltimore & Susguehagna, the Qamden & Amboy, the Jn' Castle & Fronchtown, the Hudson & Mohawk, the Ginur[awn & Augusta, the Boston & Providence, and the Boston & Lowell ca0 wero the pioneer railroads of the United States. There was but little foresight of a great future connecting systow; these roads wore generally pro- « Jooted to supply an immediate necessity ~ta fill Un @ gap in an otherwiso easily- #vailable line of trausit. And even now M way be said that in general our presont routes wore submitted, and tho results were summarized In the interests of the extremo southern line. Finally it was demonstrated that the routs along the north side of the Platte river was the moat practicable. In June 1857, a num- ber of distinguished gentlomen from various portions of the United States visited Omaha and conforred with partios having in view the construction of the Pacific road by way of the Platto valley and South Pass. The visiting party con sisted of Col. Orr, of South Carolir Gen. Robinson, John Covode. and M. Bradshaw, of Pennsylvania; Judge Bar- ber, of Wisconsin; Col. Curtis, of Towa; Mr. Hosmer, of Ohio; Mr. Pierce, of Indiana, and others. They umted ina recommendation to congress that such a reasonable grant of land and other aid be contributed us would prove a sufficient inducement to build the road, and they also recommended the Platte valloy routo. The project of a Pacific railroad was agitated at every session of the Nobraska territorial Tegislature, and it became one of the most cherished hopos of this new country. During tho session of the thirty-sixth congress a Pacific railroad committee was appointed, and on the 20th of January, 1858, the committes, through Senator Gwin, of California, reported a bill which proposed to locato tho eastern torminus road at xome point between the Big Sioux and Kansas rivors. The bill provided for the donation of alternate soctions of land on each side of the road, and 812,500 per mile, the samo to be ad- vanced, upon the complotion of every 25 miles, until ,000,000 should” be reached; the amounts thus advanced to bo returned in mail servico and trans- portation of mon and munitions of war; b por cent of the stock to he issued; the President of the United States to receive bids and locate the road. The bill, how- over, wa killed in the senate. Another offort was mado at the session of 1859.60, when a now bill was iutroduced by Mr. Curtis, of Towa, which met with” moro favorable consideration, but with no better results. On the evening of January 20th, 1850, a meoting of citizens of Omaha was held i Pionesr block, at which a orial was adopted which had been propared at a previous meoting by a sommitte con. sisting of Willlam A, Gwyer, G. C. Mon olland A D Jones. This memorial was forwarded to Washington, Thus the matter rested until Fobruary bth, 1862, when Mr. Rollins, of Missouri, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill to aid in constructing a railroad and telo. graph line from the Missouri river to the Pacifio ocean, and it was referred to the Pacific railroad committeo, It was sub. stanlially the same as that introduced by Gon, Curtis at the previous session. On May Gth, 1862, the bill, with various amondmonts, was passed by the house hy a vote of 79 to 49, and was then sent to the senato for concurrence. Docisive action was delayed until Juno 20th, when by a vote of 35 to b, the bill was adopted aud sent back to tho houso Tho bill, aa amended by the senate, was then adopted by the house by a vote of 104 to 21, The bill was appreved July 1, 1862, when it became a law. The bill Im.vidod among other things that quite a largo number of persons, whose names wore given, should be created intoa body corporate and politic, in law and deed, by the name, style and titlo of THE UNION PACIFIO RAILROAD COMPAN The Jmnmm named were from all tions of tho north, the south beiny then in rebollion. Those from Nebraska were Gilbert 0. Monsll, Augustus Kounto, T. M. Marquotte, W. H. Taylor and Alvin Saunders. ' At that timo Sam. Dailey, brother of Hon. William Dailey, of Peru, Nobraska, was tho Nobraska delegate in congress, and be it was who had the name of Augustus Kountze in sorted in tho original charter, Mr Kountze afterwards becoming one of the government directors of the rond Iu addition to the persons above named the bill provided for the appointment of five ntalaaitace: alsa’ Linthe Inying ou! aud construeting a coutinuous railrosd aud telegraph Line from a point on the 100th meridian betweon the Republioan river and the north margin of the Plitte valley in the territory of Nobraska to the weatern boundary of Nevads; and for the amount of the capital stock; for the ap- pointment of commissioners and othr offigers; the election of directors; right of way; donations of alteruate sections, ex cept mneral lands upun completion of every furty consecutive wilos; and the iseuo pud pay ment of bonda therefor; the designation of the route; the time of completion for |the rmain line being 1876 The land 7nt amounted to 12,000.000 acres or 5,000 square miles, in alternate sec within a breath of twenty miles on each side of the road, and ealong its entire |tength, An amendatory act directed that a meeting should be held in Chicago on the first Tuesday of September, 1862, the object being to complete the organization and the opening of books of subscription to the capital stock The meeting was accordingly held, Gen Curtis, of [owa, presiding, and Robert Fiuney, of Penn. sylvania, and J. R. Robinson, of Cali- fornis, acting a8 secrotaries. There were seventy-three commissioners present. The permanent, organization of the can- vention was effected by the eloction of W. B. Ogden, of Illinois. as president, and H. V. Poor, of New York, as secro- tary. The great project was thoroughly discussed, and a committes of thirteen was appointed to advise and co-operate with the officers, THE PORMAL ORGANIZATION of this national enterprise was projocted on the 20th of October, 1863, in the city of New York. A board of directors was elocted, and two government directors woro appointed, as follows: George Opdyke, John A. Dix, T C. Durant, E W. Dunham, P. Clark, E.T. M Gibwon, J. F. Lovier, G. T.M Davis, A. (. Jorome, August Belmont, L. C. Clark, Charles Tuttle, Henry V. Poor, and_George Griswold, New York dltys. 3. V. L. Prugn, Albanv; B, H. Rasokrans, Glenn's Falls; A. A. Lowe, San Francisco; W. B. Ogden. aud J. F. Tracy, Chicago; Nathaniel Thayer and C A Lambard, Boston; C. 8. Bushnell, New Haven; J. H. Soranton, Scranton J. Edgar Thompson, Philadelphia; Ehenozer Cook and John E_ Henry, Davenport; H. T. McConeb, Wilming: ton, Del.; Augustus Kountze, Omaha; John L Blair, New Jersoy; S. C. Pomo: roy, Kansas; John A. Dix, president; T. C. 'Durant,” vico president; John J Gisco, treasurer; and Henry V. Poor, secretary. THE NEXT STEP was the sclection of the eastern terminus of theroad. At this time Omaha had no railroad whatever, but there were three lines being built across the state of Town towards this poiut. The Burlington & Missouri, now the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, wasin operation far one hun- dred miles westwaed from Burlington. The Mississippi & Missouri, now the Chicago & Ruck Island, had reached Grinnell. The Chisngo, Towa & Nebras- ka, mow the Chicago & North- western, was running to Marshall- town. Owing partly to tho favor- able location of = Omaha, which was_tho objective point of the above roads, it was decid d to make this city the initial point of the Union Pacific railroad, and on Wednesday morniug, Docombor 2. 1863, Petor A Day, the chief engineer, recvived a telegram from Now York announcing that the President of the United States had fixed the initial point of the road on the *“western bound- ary of tho state of Lowa, opposite Omaha, and divecting him to formally break ground. This was an important’ piece of news for Omaha, and the citizena deter ned to inaugurato the work of the Union Pacific ratlroad on that very day, and appropriately celebrate the event, ' ’IWE&T\' YEARS AGO. A Big Day in Omaha—Breaking Gronnd for the Union Pacifio— Memorable Speech of George Francis Traio. It was rumored on Tucsday, Docom- bor 1at, 1863, thatthe Union Pacific railroad had been located by President Lincoln to start at Omaha, opposite Council Bluffs, and that ground would be broken on the next day. This report stirred up considerable excitoment. It was tho causo of a big rush on that day to the United Statesland oftice to secure land near Omaha. Parties were unable, however, to obtain land nearer than 16 miles from the city, and property in and around the city took a vary sudden rise. Among other reports was ono that George Francis Train would be in Omaha to speak at the inaugural of the Union Pacific. People waited with great anxiety for tho confirmation of the rumors, and when on the next duy, Wednesday, Do- combor 2d, tho telegram was recoived ordering Ehginoer Dey to break ground at Gmaha for the Union Pacific railroad great oxcitement and enthusiasm pre. vailed throughou: the city, which then contained a population of loss than 5,000 inhabitants It was an ovent to be celobrated in no ordinary manner. It was to be the lay- ing of the cornor-stone of the grandast structure of the age a structure which should unite the Atlantic and Pacific— the east and the west—which would do more to develop the resources of the ocountry thin all other agencics combined, and become the great transcontinental highway for the transportation of the pooploaud morchanduso of the various nations of the earth. [t s safe to say, however, that mot all the peoplo of Omaha had unbounded faith in the torprise, but thero were some who had the utmost confidence in its eventual suc- cess, but none believed that it would bo bly a short time The celebration, although al. wost_entirely impromptu, was partici- pated in by a lacgo crowd of the citizens of Owaha, and it proved an enthusiastic Buccoss, The following committee of arrange- ments was appointed in loss than an hour after the receipt of tho telogram Augustus Kouttze, Enos Lowe, John MoUormick, A, J, Hanscom, B, I, Lish- baugh, A. J. Poppletm, John I, Redick, Ezra Millard, E, Esterbrook, BE. B Tay- Lor, Goorge M Mills, W. F. Sapp, Juseo Lowe, O. P. Hurford, Edward Creighton, J. J. Browa, and George B. Lake, M, A J. Hanscom was appointed prosidont of the day, Tho com uittes hasiily ar- ranged & programumn of exerciss, and tixea the hour for the coremouios at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. It was a ploas ant day, the sun shining hrightly aud the thormomoter indicating 46 abovo zoro, BAt the hour named a crowd of whout 1,000 people assewbled and marched Lown to the place where the ground was to be formally broken. This apit was noar the ferry landing and tho *old tele- 4raph poles,” not far from the point where the water works are now looated, Phis initial peint of the Union Pacific hae long since been washed away by the Missouri river, together with about one uile of the first track laid, which was orn Stage company conveyed to the scene a number of prominent men, among the party being Fdward Creigh ton, Governor Saunavrs, George Fraucis Train, Joseph Shopard, division super- intendent of express, (who is now the goueral superintendent of the United States express) and De. Atchison, gen- eral stage agent at Omaha. The oxercises wero oponed with prayer by the Rev T. B. Lemon, who omitted the prayer for the President of the United States, the reason being that Mr. Lemon was a strong democrat. He has since changed his politics, and is now a radical republican. Tho firat varth was removed by G wver- nor Saunders and Mayor B E. B Kon- nedy, of Omaha, and Mayor Palmer, of Council Blutfs, aseisted by A Kountze, Engineer Doy, George Irain, Dr. Atchison, and othors were fired, and d from tho assemblage. Oune braw six- pounder was stationed on the Nebraska bank of tho Missour: river, and another was located on the opposite bank, and during the exercises they were fired at frequent intervals. Governor Saunders made speech, He then read a from Col. John Hay, private secre- taty to President Lincoln. Mayor Konnedy next spoke; aud read a dispatch from Mayor Opdyke, o' New York. The following was MAYOR KENNEDY'S SPEECH: Mr. Prasident aud Follow Citizens: 1 hold in my hand a telegram from the Hon. John A. Dix. president of the great Union Pacific Rlroad company, and it becemes my pleasurable duty to read it to you on this important oceasion. [ Che dispatch will bo found below together with others.] Follow Citizons: I see you areall elat- ed and buoyant. 1sco an expression of yladness in your countenancssand an ap parent_roliof from the awful suspense which has overshadowed you for the past few months; but it requires no great of- fort to divine this great and sudden change. The breaking of ground and the inauguration of the great Union Pa. cific railway have just taken place hers, in front of your infant city. This is a momentous pecasion, 1t ia an epoch in the history of this country, and I con- gratulate you that this great national ew- terprise is entored upon, and that upon +his second day of Docember, 1863, this bond of union is inaugurated—the iron belt that is to unite the East with the West, and the North with the South through all coming time. Speeches wero also made by Dr. G, C. Monell and Hon. A.J. Poppleton, o Omaha, A. V. Larmer, of Council Bluffs, George B Lake, George Francis Train, aad “others, all being iistened to with a great deal of interest. HON A J. POP TON'S SPEECH Fellow citizens of Omaha and Coun- cil Bluffs: On the 13:h of O:tober, 1854, about 7 o'cluck in the evening, 1 was sot down by the Wostern Stage com- pany at yondor city of Council Blufls At the rising of the sun on the following morning, [ climbed to the summit of one of thoe bluffs, which overlook that pros. porous and enterprising town, and took one long and lingering look across the Missourt at the beautiful site on which aow sets in the full vigor of business, social and religious life, the youthful but thriving and this day jubilant city of Omaha. Eacly in the day I crossel the river, and along a narrow path cut by somo stalwart man through the tall rank prairio grass, I wended ny waj in search of the postoffice. At length [ found an old pioneer seated apparently in solitary rumination upon a piece of hewn timber, and L inquirod of him for the postofiie He replicd that he was tho postmaster, and would examine the offize fer my let- tors. Thereupon ho removed from his head a ha, to say the least of it, some- what veteran in appoarance, and drow from its cavernous depths the coveted letters. On that day the wolves and the Omahas were the almost undisputed lords of the soil, and the entire postal system was conducted in the crown of this ven- erablo hat! To-day at least 40,000 radiant faces gladden our strects, and the postal sorvice sholtered by o costly edifice, stikes its Briarian arms towards the north, the south, the east and the west, penotrating regions then uncxplored and uoknown and bearing the symbols of values thon hidden in the mountaing and heneath the streams, of which the world in its wildest vagacies had never dreamed Then it took sixty days for New York and California to communicate with each other. To-day San Francisco and New York,sittingupon the shores of the oceans, 3,000 milesasunder, hold familiar converse. Iron and steam aud lightning are daily weaving their destinies wove closely with aadh othorand Hurs with theirs, as the intor-oceanic city, whosecommerce, trado and troasures leave tho last geeat navi- gable stream in their 1 tion from the Atlantic to the Pacitic seaboard. [t is natural, therefore, t you shounld lift up your hearts and rejoice. And though wo have watched for nine long years, during which our fortunes have boen, ike Antonio's treasures, *‘mostly in ex- pectancy,” wo at last press the cup in full fruition to our lips, The lines ha indeed “‘fallon to us in pleasant place and, as T look upon the swiling faces bo- fore mo, T seem to read in their happy expression the words of the pious poet: “ Thisis the day we long have aought, Aud mourned because wo found it not." All this, however, is but the personal signiticanco of this great national enter- Guns ening - choors arose the first measage ! of out civil war, let us devoutly pray that the hour which witnesses its con,ple. tion may behold a rebellion overtlgwn, a Union restored, a constitniioa uuim- paired, civil liberty and the pursuit of happiness the inalienabla birthright of the weakest, the poorest and the lowliest citizen in all our borders. Then with full hearts and bounding pulses we may renow the strain, “Groat God, wo thank Thoe for this goodly o, This bonneons birth-land of the froe, Whare wonders from afar may come And breathn the wir of liberty Still may i% flowers untrampled spring, Tte harvast wave and cities rise — And long 611 time shall fold his wing, o oain earth's lovelieat paradio,” Incide tali y we are reminded that Mr Poppleton s connection with the Union Pacific as its attorney bogan a fow days bofore he delivered the above speech at the breaking of the ground, and he has continued in the service of the com pany ever since, being now its general attorney, and is the only general off who has continued with the road from the day that the first spade of dirt was turned over until the present time, BPEECH OF JUDGR LARIMER, Ladies and Gentlemen: The heavens are verborating around us aud above us from cannon planted on either shore of the river near by which divides the state of [owa from your territory, but they are not deluging the soil with the blood of fellow countrymen. No, it is another causo in which they aro apeaking; it is the causo of progress, of civilization, of peaco, and this, the day we colebrate, is one of its days of triumph. Although I have thought and hoped with you for years for the consummation of the event wo are here to day to cele- brate, and with which the interests of the people of Owmaha and Council Blutls have over been 30 intimately identified. yot it has remained until this day and hour a subject of which we could not apeak with auy degree of cortainty. But itis said that the president, as he was authorized to do, has designated this as a point, and that here on the bauks of that turbid stream which rolls at our feet—which takes its source thousands of miles above us, when it is 8o small that a single ox would drink it dry of a summer's day—is to be the crossing of that great national thoroughfare which is to unite and bind together with bands of iron the Atlantic and Pacific, we look upon this as an_event in the history of this country and of our poople as worthy of comemoration. A yot this is a spatsely settled country, but with all the olements for the creation of agricultural woalth, which is the basis upon which all others rest, wo may now, by the location of the road, expect a large accession in numbers, With such a country as we have here, with such a future as there is bofore it, the odious relations of land- lord and tenant, which is only another name for that of master and s'ave, now existing in the older states, will be placed w process of gradual extinction. Here is the great northwest—the seat of em- pive and the land of imperial power— the poor man of the east may come, possoss and enjoy a spot of this green earth that he may call his own, and no thirds or halves be exacted from his storo. Aad they will come as others have coms before them, for there issaid to bs a privcipal in man which has ever im- pelled him toward the settingsun [t was said to have been this that took the patri- archs of old to the land of the Mediter rauean, impelled Paul toseek Rome, Aug- ustine the land of the Briton; nor was it lost sight of when Columbus planted the banner of the cross in the new world, nor when the Mayfl)wor cast anchor in tho harbor of Piymouth. It has brought you and me to the beautiful and fertile prairies of the west, and with our coun- try once more at peace with the world anl with itsolf—for overy star on that emblem of our nationality which floats yonder a state, and every state a star— will being thousands more to sojourn with us. Of the president of the United States T would say that if many of his acts have not given the same satisfaction that we may to-day foel for the part he has taken in the location of the road, it would be charitable to say that in other matters he may not have had such consultation and advisers as our friend Mc. Dey, who ran the line of our propose i Pacific rail- road, making this a terminus, Ladios and genclemen, for calling upon ma accopt my thanks for the honor you sought to confer on your neighboring oity. Council Bluffs, Georgo Fraucis Train, tho great enthusivst, made a atirring and witty spoech, which was groatly enjoyed by the audience. In his spoech he predicted that the Union Pacitic railroad would be completed be- fore uhe year 1870. This was considered a little too extravagant, and caused con- siderablo lauzhter, but his prediction camo truo. The following was MR, TRAIN'S SPEECIH: I have no telegraphic dispatches to read, no sentiments to recite. The ofli cial businows is over, acd as I happen to bo lying around loose in this part of the country [laughter] at this particular time, it gives mo a chaice to meot somo of the live mon of Nobraska at tho inaugura- tion of the grandest enterprise under God, the world hay ever witnessod, [Ap- plause,) Amorica is the stage, the world is the audience of to day. While oue act of tho drama represents the booming of the cannon on the Rapidan, the Cumber- Iandand the Rio Graude, sounding the rise to us. To us it means prosperity. To the nation and all its people it bears a siguiticance woll exprossed i a telogram received from Governor Yates, of 1linois, which I am requestod to read. [ The tel: ogram 15 published in another plac [ estoom mysolf fortunate in their bo- ing allowed to give expression to thise n course, the greeting of the state of Iili- nois, through its chief exascative oflicer Lu this hour of sanguinary struggles, whon that groat and union-loving state, through that most trusted fortunate chioftain, Gon Ulysses 8. Grant, is hurl- ctorious sons into the very vitals lod confedoracy, sho still inds time to turn aside for one brief moment and wish us Gl-speed in this wondorful work upon whih we now entor. When thoso iron bands with which we hope to gird tho coutinent shall stratch from soa to ses, thoy stand perpetu; hostagos agatnst the terrible calamities of national estrangement, disruption and dismemboerment. The act of congress eatab ishing this groat euterprise, should have been eatitled **An aot tr promote tho preservation of the Union, to provent national dissolution, and bind ‘terother the Atlantic and Pacific coasts by an indiasoluble cove- nant, to rosist and ropel foroig sion.” There is not on all the Mississippi and its tributaries,s citizen 80 craven but that were the freo navigation of that no blo stream, from ite source to its mouth, denied him, he would achieve it with the included in the m asurement of the fipst | sword. will this highway of the world twonty miles. For this tirst nule, us | ho the common boon of every citizen, to woll as for evory mile, the Union Pacific | be cherished aud defonded with special lande; the conveyunce «f | raceived $16,000 and 13,000 acres of | dovo land, A stage-comch belonging to the Weet- n, death knell of rebellious war, the noxt scone records the b oming of cannon on both sidos of the Missouri to colobrate the grandest work of pesco that ever at- attractod the enorgies of man, The grent Pacifio railway is commenced, and f you know the man who has hold of the affair as well as I do, no doubt would ever ariso as to its spoedy completion. The resident shows his good judgment in tvunung the road whore the Almighty placed the signal station, at the ehtrance of o garden sovenhundrodmilosin length and twenty bi [Applause | Look at the forco of naturo hoere— study the map and rwiul out, if you can, umu{mr place for the central station of the world's highway. The enterprise i3 national. 'Tis the pooplo’s road No party politica dare obtrude their obuoxious features into this organizsion. Tha directory is tho agont of the government in carrying out the wishes of tho nation. Foar thous- axd yoars ago the pyramids were started, but they simply represent the vanity of man. The Chinese wall wasgrand in con- ception, but built only to break the tide of invasion. The imperial canal was gi gantic, but how limited all these things appear in comparison to an enterprise that joins together thirty four states and a dozon territories. [Applause ] Bofora the firat centucy of ths nation’s birth, we way see injthe Now York dopot trange Pacific railway notice. sropean pass-ngers for Japan will pleass take the night tram Passenger for China this way Africom and Asiatio freight must be distinet' y morked: For Pekin via Sun Standing here, at the initiation of this stupendous enterprise, in this third year Hran wo " Tlasughter and applaase | Kre ten yoars go by, said une of R ———— the prime movers of this groat under- taking, “I'intend to let the Furopean traveler get a new sensation, by standing on the ridge pole of the American na- tion and sliding off into the sea.” [Ap- plause | Already late dates from the Chinese watera reach the Buropean ots via the Rocky mountains, and in 1870 teas and silks will follow in the same way. England laughs at this. So she laughs at our rebellion. England is not, never has been, and never will be the friond of America. Lot England remain a bully, but God forbid that America continue to be a toady America is & congress of nations, Hore are a few stock points with which I have always interlarded my Fourth of July speech: That America possesses tho biggest head and the finest quantity of brain in the phrenslogy of nations. ~ [ Applause. ] That Humanity, a puking babe in Asia, a lazy school boy in Europe, came here to America to air_its magnificent man hood. [Applause.] That Industry came out of Igypt, then a tidal wave of time- giving law from Rome; more centuries, and Art springs from France; later Com- merce sails from Buogland, while America was reserved to combine all the good of the past—Industry, Law, Art, Com- merce, with the grander mission of rep- resenting the grand Pacific railway idea of progross. [Applause.] America is twenty-ono years of age. She should discharge the wet nurse. [Laughter. | 1 despiso o toady. Lot us build up a mother country of our own. Let the ory go_out—*Down with England and up with America!” [Loud cheers. ] Whon they spoke of our national debt [ asked them what right England had to monopolize the entire national debt of the world, [Laughter.] I told themn Deo volents that one of these days we would roll up a national debt that would make them ashamed of themselves. [Loud laughter and applause.] And while upon this point I may mention that the Pacitic rail way is but another name for a monster national proapecting party to open up the mines of the mountains One day a dispatch will come in, **Wo have tapped a copper mine ten miles square;” another day, “We lave just opened another vein of coal;” later on, *We struck another iron mountain this morning;” when, Eurcka! a telegram electrities the speculatora in Wall streot. and gold draps below par: [Laughter.] At 10 o’clock this morning wo struck a pick into a mountain ot solid gold.” [Cheers.] Now here is thoidea. The moment this is done I shall hasten to Mr. Chase, to have him taks possession of the government, organize a mining bureau, and arrange his plans to pay off the national debt without laying taxes upon the shoulders of the peoplo. [Loud applauo | Mr. Chase’s broad grasp of financo will seize at once the vitality of the ic He will be pleased to learn that his greenbacks are as good as gold in this part of the world. The Pacific railroad i the nation and the nation is tho Pacific railway. La- bor and capital shake hands to-day. The lion and the lamb sleep together. The representatives of labor are all around me in the w The representatives of capital are in the east. The two united mark the era of progress. Steam, gas and elect are the Liberty, Fra- termty and Equality of the people Cavalty, infantry and artillery is only the Frenchman’s mot- to. [Laughter] The world is on the rampage. Events are earth. quakes now, Two things are likely to happen about the time this railroad is completed. Two passengers—both Amer- icans—take a special car over the route. One goes out as Punjaub of Mexico, the other as emperor of China, [Cheers and laughter | America has built 40,000 miles of rail- road for the same money that England paid for her 10,000. Now congress passes a bill making the capital stock of the company one hundred millions. That would have built the Great Fastern, the Thames tunncl, the tubular bridge, the crystal palace, the mosque of Omok, Di- ana of the Ephesians, ['sughter,] the pyramids, (if they used an American on gine in hoisting the stone, ) and Pompey's pillar, [Laughter and cheors.] Congross gives something toward building this great national thoroughfare—not much, but something; say a loan of government credit for 30 years, for $16 000amile and 20,000,000 acres of land. But what in that in theso timos? Read statistics of what they did when tho bill was signed I have statistics that show thoso facts Cost of « t Noew Eogland roadg, 1,112 miles, $35,000 per mile; cost of eight middlo states roads, 4,120 miles, $42,500 per mile; cont of 14 western ronds, 4,483 miles, 7,000 per mile, These wore were built before the inflation of the cur- rency. The last great road built, the At- lantic & Groat Waostern, tho middloe link of the groat broad-gaugo track that ¢ ors half a continent, cost 346,000 mile, ought to add tho increased price of labor and matorial to the grant, The iron alone costs $10,000 por mile, and the rolling stock, ties, &c., $6,000 more, lo nothing for grading, bridges and station Fortunately, however, no one opposes the enterprise, however divided on other points No party could live in opposi- tion to opening up the aeart of tho coun- try. My idea in that the shares, 81,000, aro too high, T ald be reduced to tions should bo opened in every town of 600 inhabitants, Lot the laboring man have one share; make itthe people's road in reality, Thou- sands would subscribe if tho shaves wero roduced in price. [Applause.] Would you not recommend congress to do this? {Yos ] Well, congress will shortly bo in <ession, and now is your time to act, for 100 miles of road must be opened by noxt fall, for I am told that 10,000 work- men will be at it in midsummer. [Loud applauso | Already the engincers are in the mountains and the geologists are probing for the precious metals. Go in- to Cevighkon's office and see the one hun- drod and fifty pounds of gold a miner sont him from Idaho yesterday. [Ap pliuse | If [ have spoken more than five minuten it is your fanlt. [Cries of go on, goon!] The ladies command, I oboy. As Wobster said at Bunker Hill, * When tho ladies take hold of the stones the monument will riso.” [Laughter ] Go forth then, and carry out the scriptural injunction, ever multiply and make the socession wilderness blossom like the | union rose, Inan age like eurs, this | should be a standing toast with all good | union men: Tho ladies, may they be| united—to a man. [Loud applause and laughter.] Tmmigration will soon pour into these valloys. . Ton millious of emigrants will | settlo in this golden land in 20 years. If | I had not lost all my energy, ambition, and enterprise, 1 would take hold of this immigration scheme, but | the fact is I have gone too fast, and to- | day am the best played-out man in the country. [Loughter] However, if the pore knoew I wasout here I bolieve he would send me & commission to es por These figures prove that congress | offured, T anine hundred thousand dollar lot in the Platte valley. While already America posses half the common sense, enterprise, and sevon-cighths the beauty of the world, [loud cheers], can anyone doubt in looking at the geological posi- | ticn of this prairie land, th nerica was the old world when Asia and Africa wero mercly i t dotted tho eastern seas, theory of Asia Minor is absurd, cut a little channel in ancient times hotween Asia and Burope—the Dardenelles—and ele- vating the Mediterranean by turning the Black and Caspian soas. the water over- flowed Syria and the ark grounded, but in our time Noah 2ould not get command of a one horse gun-boat, or a military prison. [Loud Inughter.] Stand high up on the summit of this continent and you will see when the grand doluge covered the world. One wave made the Rocky mouutains and then the Alle- ghanies, leaving one thousand miles of five feot prairio 8oil to raise corn for the starving world. [Apolause.] One por- tion of the water wound its way by the Missouri and the Mississippi to the sea, and another by way of the St, Lawrence, the Atlantic ocean deposing those inland soas of fresh water, Lakes Michigan, Huron, Superior, Ontario and Eric, along the road and making a plateau of boundloss prairio, expressly for the track of the great Union Pacfio railway of America. (Loud cheers.] One more stock idea. As sure as the rainbow is the autograph of God, the Union must and shall be preserved. [Applause. | Man has made these groat lines of rail way to run east and west, but God, thinking man might blunder, was His own topographical enginver, and took the precaution to build the mountains and the rivers north and south; and what God hias put togother let no ambitious ple- bian in the north or rebel traitor in ne three-fourths the south dure to tear asunder. [Loud choers ] Upon the conclusion of Mr. Train's speech the crowd dispersed, being well satiatied with thoafternoon’s proceedings, an account of which was tolographed to eastern papers by Mr. Train and Mr. B Rosewater. In the evening the city was brilli Uluminated and a grand railroad BANQUET AND BALL took place at the Herndon house, which has since become the headquarters of the There were in attendance Supper was served as nion Pacific. about 7 couples. 1:30. George Francis Train was among the guests. Ho was then a fine looking man, about five feet ten inches in height; of rather corpulent build, blue eyes, prominent nose, and dark curly hair, streaked here and there with gray. He appeared to be about 35 years of age. His talk impressed his hearers as being rather extravagant, but it was pleasant to listen to him as he was a fine speaker. Dispatches of congratulation and encour- agement were received, and read from Brigham Young, from the m r of Den- ver, and from Governor Stanford of Cali fornia, and also from Hon. William H. Seward, Governor Yates of Illinois, and other prominent men. Thus ended the 2d of December, 1863, one of the most important and eventful days in the his tory of Omaha and Nebraska. THE DISPATOHES which were received and road on that day were as follows: FROM MAJOR-GENERAL JOHX A. DIX. New York, December 1. To Committes of Arrangements of tho Union Pacifis roul: The inauguration of the Union Pacific cailroad, the enterprise of the West- ern Hemisphere, whether considered in reference to its commercial importance ox its influence as a bond of union, is to push on to completion with all the rapid ity which a command of means will per- mit, and I congratulate those who are to be present at breaking groundon the ear ly commencement of the work. Joux A, Dix. FROM PRESIDENT LINCOLN New York, December 2, 1863, mmittoo of Arrangements, etc. To Major neral Dix: Genkrar—I have not been permitted until to- to present to the president your communication of the 23rd of No vember, He directs me to express his doop rogret that his illness will prevent him from giving expression to the pro- found interest he fsels in the success of a work so vast and beneficial as that which you are about to inaugurate. I have the honor to be, Your obedient servant, Joun Hay, Assistant Private Socrotary FROIM MAYOR OFDYKE, Mavor's Orrice, | New York, December 1, 18065, umminm; of Arrangoments, Union Pacite Iroad: May this the greatest work over pro jected in any ago or country, prove lasting bond of political and commerei union between the Atlantic and Pacifie states. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Groree OPpyYKE, Mayor. FROM SECRETARY BRWARD, SraTe DerarTMesT, | WasniNarox, Nov. 24, 1863 } Committen of Arrangemonts-—-To General John A. Dix, Prosident of the Union Pacifie taitroad, Now York: My Dean S1e—Your kind note invit ing me to attend tho ceremony of break- ing ground for the Union Pacitic rail- road in Nobraska has just been roceived, For the tirst time, as I think, since the foundation of the government the foreign relations of the country ocen py tho attention of this department so constantly th.t its head is often obliged to forego customary good officesand cour. tosios toward loyal citizens, who are en gaged in doveloping the resources of the country and establishing its domestic in terosta. For this reason I can reply to geur invitati-a ouly vory hastily and very priefly. Of course 1 ‘cannot” go to Ne. bragka and therofore I mnst decline With your brave help and that of yony armed companions on sca and land, 1 hope we slisll soon put down this wretch- ed and wicked insurrection against the Union. With one half of our capitalists and our free and loyal laboring men the Union Pacifie railroad cau, and I hope will, be extended to the Pacifio ocean, When this shall have been done, soces sion will bo rendered forever afterwards impracticable. There will be no fulcram for the lover of treason to reat upon. Faithfully Yours, WitLias H. Sewarn FROM GOYERNOL YATES 8. Nicuoras flure, New Yors, | Decomber 1, 1u6s, f muittes of Areaugements Union Pacifio lroad, To Mavor Goueral Jonn A. ia, % of tho Union Pacific railroad com Sin I have regarded the enterprise of building the Union Pacific railrond us of the otmost national iwporience While in congress, when opportunity urged ita neceasity, and it is with poculiar” pleasure that [ lesrn that tabliah a Catholic colonisation society on the building of the road, 8o long delayed