Local History Website of the SMSU Department of History

John S. Phelps
Speech Welcoming the President and Directors of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, on the Completion of the Railroad to Springfield, May 3, 1870

Mr. President and Directors of the South Pacific Railroad: In behalf of the citizens of Springfield and its vicinity, I tender you a hearty welcome. For years we have been anxiously looking for the completion of a railroad to this city. We knew the difficulties to be overcome, the obstacles to be removed, and the arduous work to be accomplished, and we duly appreciated the great advantage the road would be, not only to Springfield, but to the surrounding country.

You now have our heartfelt thanks, that the great and difficult work is finished, and to you, Mr. President and Directors of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, the completion of the road to this point is a source of as much joy as it is to us.

I notice there are with us the Governor and other officers of the State, Ex-Gov. Fletcher, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two of the members of Congress, and ex-mayor of the city of St. Louis, an ex-postmaster and the President of the Board of Trade of that city, the Secretary and an ex- Secretary of State, several members of our Legislature, and other distinguished gentlemen. All these have come here to greet us. I tender you a cordial and hearty welcome.

Many of you, perhaps, have had business relations for years with some of the people of this city and the Southwest, yet as this is your first visit to our beautiful country, you can hardly appreciate the difficulties under which we have labored, without an easy and expeditious connection with other portions of the State.

We were in an almost isolated condition; access to our country could only be obtained by days of tiresome and weary travel, over rough and rugged, roads, and through a hilly and mountainous country, whilst for years you have been in the enjoyment of railroad communication with all the advantages you possess; nay, more, we have rejoiced with you in your good fortune and prosperity, and have earnestly endeavored to secure the same beneficent results to ourselves. We cordially greet you on this morning of our prosperity. We unite with you in rejoicing that this railroad, of such infinite advantage to the people of Southwest Missouri, and of such great importance to the State, and which will tend so greatly to increase its wealth and population, is completed to our city.

You have but just entered upon the table-land and beautiful country which extends not only to the western line of the State, but for many miles beyond the limits of our State. And now, my countrymen, this is a happy day for us. We celebrate the completion of the South Pacific Railroad to our city. This is an event which opens to us a new and a bright future henceforward, by reason of an easy and rapid communication with all parts of our country. This part of our State, with its mild and salubrious climate, with its fine, pure water, and numerous streams, with its rich and fertile soil, invites the enterprising man to make it his abode, and unite with us in advancing its material prosperity.

Everything which can be produced in the United States can here be produced in superabundance, except the ice of Alaska, the cotton and rice of Carolina, and the tropical fruits of Florida. No portion of our country surpasses this in natural advantages. The bright and happy future, the subject of our wishes for many long years, has lust arrived upon us, and no longer shall we be compelled to travel by stage on bad and dangerous roads, over a broken, hilly and mountainous country, to reach the commercial emporium of our State.

This road is to be the great thoroughfare to the Pacific. You have just entered upon the beautiful and fertile country which extends for hundreds of miles in a westerly course from this city, and through which this road will pass. No trans-continental route possesses the advantages this route possesses. The climate of this entire route is mild; it is near the 35th parallel of latitude. But little snow in the most severe winters falls in any portion of this route, hence the running of cars will not be obstructed by snow. The greatest altitude on the route is about seven thousand feet above the level of the ocean. In that latitude the cold on the highest summit is not severe. The country on its entire route will be settled, except a small portion between the Colorado river and the mountains. But when this road shall be extended to the Pacific, the products of India and Japan will pass our very doors on their way to St. Louis and other portions of our country. This road to Southwest Missouri should have been built long before this time. It will profit nothing to inquire who was at fault, nor who to censure, if any. Let it be as it may, we now have a road which greatly contributes to our wealth, our prosperity and our happiness.

In behalf of the people of Springfield and its vicinity, and in behalf of the people of Southwest Missouri, I return to the President and Directors of the South Pacific Railroad our heartfelt thanks for the great and inestimable benefit they have conferred on us, and to the President and Directors of the Atlantic and Pacific railroad we say, God speed them in the great and noble enterprise in which they are engaged! Push forward the work until the road shall reach the Pacific. Our hearts are with you; and to those from distant parts of our State, who have honored us with their presence on this day of our rejoicing, we tender our thanks, and again bid them, and the officers of the railroad companies, welcome, a hearty welcome!

Source: Speech in the pamphlet, “Opening of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, and Completion of the South Pacific Railroad to Springfield, Mo., May 3d, 1870,” reprinted in George S. Escott, History and Directory of Springfield and North Springfield, 1878