Seattle's Big Bet on the Railroad Party

In about five weeks from this time a party of distinguished people will visit the State of Oregon and Washington Territory, coming over the line of the practically completed Northern Pacific Railroad. This will be an event of great importance and interest not only to the United States, but peculiarly to the citizens at the western termini of this great overland highway. Invitations have been issued by President Villard to 600 guests, many of whom are from beyond the Atlantic, a large number of whom are heavy capitalists, and all of whom are prominent and representative men. They will make this journey not for its novelty, nor for the beauty and grandeur of the scenery along the route—although these will be of interest—but with the more practical intent and aim of examining the resources which the country opened by this road possesses, and the present state of development it has attained. There is no doubt that many, probably a majority, of these prominent guests of the Northern Pacific Railroad will prolong their journey to its farthest western terminus, which is this city. They will come to investigate, criticise, comment, and act or refrain from so doing as their opinions may be formed after examination. It is not too much to say that their impressions of our city and its surrounding resources will have a direct important effect upon our immediate future. If these strangers, most of whom have never visited this Territory, and but few of whom have ever caught a glimpse of the glorious inland sea which reaches out to the Pacific, shall see the country with our eyes, realize its capacity for growth and development as fully as those most familiar with them cannot fail to do, the effect of their visit will be vastly beneficial. Measures should, therefore, be at once taken to welcome and entertain the guests of President Villard in a manner corresponding with the high character of the party and the reputation of our citizens for public spirit and activity. The Portland press is already alive to the importance of extending due courtesy and honor to the distinguished visitors. Seattle is not accustomed to lag behind in any matter which promises to benefit her people or emphasize her claim to be the metropolis of the great Northwest. A public meeting should be called at an early day to take in hand the matter of reception to President Villard and party. Committees should be appointed and all details attended to. Facilities should be provided for proper and public entertainment, for examination of our surroundings, the amount of our manufactures, trade, shipping, etc., etc. The advent of the party should be made a fete day, and an enthusiastic welcome be accorded. It is none too early to begin discussion and suggestions on this subject, and the importance of conveying to these strangers a fair and favorable impression of the present business and future prospects of Seattle cannot be overestimated. Aside from the advent of the iron horse from across the continent is in itself an event worthy of enthusiastic celebration. It will mark an era in the history of this city and the Territory. It connects us with our brethren of the East with iron links and places us upon the highway of the commerce of the world. It brings us in close connection with the great nation lying eastward of the Rockies, and practically makes us neighbors to the cities of the Lakes and the Atlantic. Such results are worthy of due recognition, and the men through whose instrumentality they are brought to pass are entitled to receive a hearty welcome. A word to our citizens upon this matter will doubtless be all sufficient to insure prompt, united, and hearty action, and, as we said before, it is none too early to set the ball in motion. Seattle cannot afford to, nor will her citizens permit, any other city to exceed her in a hospitable and enthusiastic welcome to President Villard and his distinguished party.