The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-10-06 00:00:00

ma

BANQUET in LIVERPOOL to the LAYERS
of the ATLANTIC CABLES.
On Monday night a grand banquet, under the an,.
pices of the Liverpool Chamber of Corognerce, was
given to the layere of the Atlantic Cables, n the Law
Association's Rooms, Liverpool. About goo gentle-
men sat down to dinner, which was very llandaomely
served. The Right Hon. Sir Stafford Northcote,
President of the Board of Trade, presided, and
along the leading nada were Lord Stanley, M.P.
Messrs. (.11011illg. H. Clifford, and Willoughby Smith,
Capt. Anderson, Profeesor ThottiPeon.Capt Hamilton,
Captain Etlington, R.N., Captain Prowls', N., Mr.
W. Barber (Chairman Of the Great Ship Compaq),
Sir Charles Brigid, M.P., Mr. I'. B. Honda], M.l',
Mr. S. It. Graves, M.P. Mr. J. Laird, )1.P., and
Mr. T. Arean, Consul,
the decoration,, of the room were specially appro-
priate. Festoons of the Atlantic cable., ffoto which
hung real seaweed and coral, were eusj ended round
the cornices, and in recesses were placed gilt grapnels.
In the centre of the room a massive chain held sus-
pended over the middle table the grapnel which finally
raised from the bed of the Atlantic the longlioet cable
of lout. The lighter and more brilliant 1" effects "
were produced by large mirrors fringed with ever-
green, anti trophies of national flags—the ensigns of
treat Britain anti the United States being of course ,
the moot conspicuous. The leading Idea of ;the even-
ing was even kept in view in the bills of fare and the
cards which designated the place each guest would
occupy. The former, of white satin, were printed
like is telegraphic message sheet, and headed "From
the Chamber of Commerce, Liverpool, to the Layers
of the Atlantic Cables," while the latter •took the
form of one of the envelopes in which meggagee are
sent out by the telegraphic companies.
The Chairman, in proposing "the Health of Hie Majesty
the Queen," said that her Majesty had on all fitting occa-
sions shown a hearty Interest in the progress of tblegraphic
science, and later In the evening he should read a special
cminnunication from the Queen upon the subject Of the pre-
sent banquet. tireat cheering.)
The usual routine tote were then eyed, as also
" }Ter Majesty'. Ministers," to which Lord Stanley
replied, and in the course of his speech said
in my own name, and that of my colleagues, I thank you
for-your reception of O.: and, If you permit me,' I will at
once, though, by an abrupt transition, part on to the toast
which has been intrested to my care. That toast is "tug-
land and America United." .Loud cheers I Thsre words
may he taken either m the exprestion of a hope, or a, the
assertion of • fact. Physically, the thing Is dore. England
and America are united by an enterprise to watch I shall
leads my friend the chairman to speak bidets% b.u4 of which
1 cannot refrain from saying It appears to me the ort mar-
vellous triumph of mind over matter—of man on natnre—
that the annul. of science haves, yet recorded (applause'
and while Kugland and America retain their engineering
and naval pre eminence among the nation. of the world I
venture to predict that the names of those who have been
the workers In the great undertaking—the names otCanning,
of Glam, and of Anderson—will be honourably remembered,
not only on this, but on the other nide of the Atlas, c. Loud
cheers. Now, what will be the effect, of this no state of
things—of this instantaneous communication between she
Old World and the New—• communication which will in
a few years extend over the whole of the civilised globe? So
far as our colonies are conceenced much Is obvious, In
all matters, civil or military, In which the home Govern-
ment onght to interfere, it can de so with tufinit.ly more
effect, because in critical times instructions founded on
Information • fortnight or a month old can be of Wry little
practical value So, spin, in matten of trade, I suppose,
that the saving of labour will be considerable, and that wane
forms, at least, of speculation will be In some degree
checked when certainty is substituted for conjecture
(hear, hear, tut to it, In this country, and In
the present case, the diplomatic aspect of the ques-
tion is the most important. We are going to bring the
people of England and of the United States Into a far
closer connection with one another than has ever existed
before That Is, in my mind, a great main. Some one has
stated that the opinion of foreign natlota Is an anticipation
of the judgment of posterity: but, without adopting that
phrase absolutely, it is undoubtedly true that lookers-on, not
personally effected by the results of what Is being done,
yet feeling in them a warm Interest, sre thought to be able
to judge better of what la pasting than thoae who are in the
thick of the fray. Hear, hem," and cheers.) I think,
then, that England and America are both In a position to
gait mutually fair, temperate, criticism of one another's
proceeding,. They have no opposite Interest united they
are a match for the world, wtille • quarrel between them
would be a fearful injury not only to themselves, but to the
beat interests of maneiml. , Cheers I The more they really
know of one another the better. But there is something to be
said on the other side, and I should liot be doing my duty here
if I did not say It—there may be criticism which Is not fair
net temperate criticism, which Is hasty, partial, passionate.
Perhaps on both sides of the water we have had a little too
much of that. " Hear,' and cheers.: Built dose not remit
from hostility: on the contrary, if it did not sound para-
doxical to say so, I should say that it arises quite as much
from an anxious desire which both nations feel that the
credit of those representative institutions which are common
to both should by both be maintained. (Hear ) I do not
suppose that criticism as I have spoken of can ever wholly
cease, for I have sometlints thought that England and the
Potted States are like two persons related by family ties,
both irgerested for the credit of their common family, both
of whom would be sorry should any real harm happen to
the .'tier; but not always agreeing in Ideas, and not being
of • reticent disposition, however friendly, now and then
IWO this privilege of relationship to express 110 opinion of
each other's Alfons in a manner, which. though It may be
frank, Is not alwaysjudlclous and agreeable. ,•• Hear, hear."
And cheers.) The lemon I draw from that la that now that
we are going to be nearer neighhonrs we must learn to be
.paring of such criticisms ourselves, and not too sensitive
or impatient when It Is appled to us. ;Hear We are
boutol to hear In mind that while a COMMOU language flit
briny, on the one hand, immense advantages, lc has on the
other some responsibilities and some Inconveniences. In
private life probably no roan speaks of his friends In pre-
cisely the terms he wonti tole were they face to face Nations
000•0100 by newspapers, and every word which they say of
one another Is by the necessity of the case said also to one
another. It Is in the earnest hope that we may use our new
privileges as lenta us both, it is in the deep conviction that
on the union of the two nations, more than on any other
earthly thing, the future of civilisation depend., and it is
with the conviction also that whoever wilfully or Ignorantly
ertranem them one from another le doing, on the whole, the
very worst act • human being could commit—it Is with these
feeling. that I now give you the toast "England and
America United." Loud applause
The Hon, Mr Dudley, American Conant, responded_ He
referred at some length to the great progress which tele-
graphic science had made, and to the extent to which com.
niuntamtion had reached, enthracing folly three-fifths of the
globe. When this great work had been completed, who
would dare to say that the peaceful time predicted 3,000
years ago had not arrived, when the wolf and lamb should
dwell together, and the earth learn war no more. 'treat
.cheering.! In conclusion, he hoped that this great work
would bind still more closely the two countries.
Ice Chairman proposed " the N,irth American Pro-
vines " Three wan no prouder title given to Eugland than
that of the " Sloth, of Nations" It was our nelight to
see our colonies raising themselves, se, more especially, were
the North American colonies, to positions of prosperity and
Independence if now they thought fit to claim a confeder.
&Mon among themselves be was sure that Her Majesty's
Government moult meet them halfway. Aye, more than
halt. way while nothing would he further from their thoughts
than to endeavour to indoce th.im to adopt any measures
which might not be advantameois to themselves: hut if they
sought confederation he could say on behalf of Her
Majesty's Government they would meet with no mean
jetdomies, but with every disposition to further their views
iLoad applause They had no representative present of the
pent colony of Canada, but they had present the Hon. slr.
'Ps 'tee Prime Minister of Nova Scotia. and the Hon. Mr.
Tilley, Prime Minister of New Brunswick. ,Cheers
The Hoe Mr Tupper responded to this, and after the
lion. Mr. They, and Captain Hamilton made a few Moser.
cation., eta Cattleman proceeded to gins the toast of the
evening. "Ms Zee& to the Atlantic Telegraph Cables." which
be was sure would be received with unatilmom cordiality.
(chsers). In doing so be mentioned briefly one or two lead'
log facts, showing the Important bearing of the cables upon
the commercial operations of the country, eepectally with
the American continent. The annual value of our imports
and exports from and to America, Including the United States
and the British colonies, amounted to something like a
hundred millions Taking the average time of passage
at something like fourteen days, there was something
like four millions of property afloat between Great Britain
and AMOTICA, while the quantity of wheat and wheat flour
which was imported fortes subsistent,e of our people seer/aged
9,00..000 cwt. Having traced the progress of scientific Im-
provement during the reign of her present Majesty, and the
vast Impetus which had been given to trade by recent legis•
Halve enactments, he referred to the important effect which
the cables would have in promoting good feeling between
England and America, between whom it was essential for
the best Luterests of the whole human race that peace should
continue to be maintained.
The Chairman then read a communication from the Earl
of Derby, conveying the sentiments and intentions of her
aisi.isty with respect to the Atlantic Cable expedition and
Its promoters. Her lialeety was desirous of testifying her .
same Of the merits displayed In this great enterprim, and
had commanded his lordship to submit for special marks of •
her royal favour the names of those who, having had as-
signed to them prominent positions might be coneldered as
representing (ha different departments whose united labours
listi contributed to the final result, and had commanded him
to convey her congratulations to all whets energy and per-
severance, skill and science had triumphed over all difficulties
and accomplished • success alike honourable to themselves
and to their country. Her Majesty had accordingly directed
that Captain Anderson, Praesepe Thompaon, and Mtwara.
Glass and Cenning should be knighted, and that Mr.
Sampson, deputy chairman of the original company, and
Mr Gooch, If e , should receive the honour of baronetcy.
If Mr. Cyrus Field iecelved no Inch mark of royal favour.
It was because her Majesty did not wish to Interfere with
what might seem to be the natnral functions of the Govern.
ment of the country to which Mr. Field belonged, and which
he had served equally with Chi, country in the work which
had been done The chairman continued that Lord Derby
had whiled to confer upon Captain Anderson some further
mark more Immediately connected with his own profession:
hut he had been greatly disappointed to find that neither
the miss of the naval service nor the statute of the Order of
the bath allowed him to do so. In conclutioe, the right
hon gentleman proposed the "Atlantic Cables, coupling
with the toast the names of Sir Samuel Canning and Mr.
Ellott."
Several other toasts were given, concluding with one
for the Health of the Chairman."