Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1851-11-20

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siderable skill in the strategy of war, and at
the expense of many thousands OF human
lives, cut short the victorious career Of an
ambitious chiettain. The last overcame by F.
his genius the rapid currents Of mighty riv-
crs, subdued the winds and waves of the |
ocean; revolutionized the commerce of the !
world; has sent civilization and refinement
into remote parts Of the earth; and in thou
sand ways promoted the comfort and happi-
ness of his race. Every individual whom
have the honor 10 address, is in a great de-
gree indebted TO the genius Of Fulton for
large portion Of the comforts he daily en-
joys. Every one of the magnificent steam
ers that lands at your wharf is an eloquent
witness, not only to the power, but to the
glorious results of his genius. Every note
from the steam whistle on the majestic river
in front of us, but sings requiem to his
memory, whilst the PROV of every steam
vessel that cleaves the waves, lnscribes his
name upon the waters. Nor is it upon tur-
bu!ent rivers and stormy oceans only, that
we witness the triumphs Of his immortal
genius. By slight notifications, the steam
engine, which was formerly employed only
10 propel floating palaces upon the waters,
is now used to scale mountains, glide over
vallies, and almost TO outstrip the wind in its
fleet career, as it ministers TO the comfort
and luxury of man. The ''ron horse" as
it awalses the echoes in our forests, and
startles the deer in our beautiful praries,
but pays an elegant tribute to the honored
name of Fulton. A few months hence, |
trust, that you, the citizens Of Hannibal, will
listen in your own streets to these notes of
praise, from the ''iron horse" to the memory
of this great benefactor Of his race. Am |
not, then, justified, in saying that the great
est warriors Of ancient or of modern times.
have but slender claims upon the gratitude
of posterity, compared with those of the
great inventors, who amidst poverty and suf-
iering, and in defiance of the neglect and de-
rision Of the world, have wrought out these
magnificent results. The age in which we
live is emphatically practical in its tendcn-
cies. From the earliest period ofthe world
down to the present day, the tastes, pursuits
and habits of mankind, have varied accord
ing to the circumstances by which they
were surrounded. At one peiiod--tor en-
ample, during tho palmy days Of the Roman
empire, it was military prowess alone,
which claimed the undivided homage Of man-
kind. AT another-as during tie sunny
days of Greece, sculpture and painting, poe
try and song bound the popular mind, as in
magic spell of grace and beauy-a spell
whose charm was but TOO soon 10 be dissolv-
ed, by low dcbouchery and degrading vices.
Alta still later period, religious ianaticism
f withered up the gentle charities OF life, and
, regale itself upon the blood of martyrs
At yet another period, as if TO atone for the
D austerities of the past, mankind ran into the
| opposite extreme. and debauchery and vice
e for time ruled supreme. Bat ours has
5 been justly styled the utIitarian age. 1t is
r an age of steam, of iron, of weavcr'S looms,
= of railroads, OF telegraphs, and if you please,
= a gutta percha or gum-elastic age. The last,
e perhaps, is the best definition of it. 1t has
c such elasticity, that it readily adapts Itself
Y TO all the useful pursuits of life, whilst il
z is marked by tenacty of purpose, which
Y pauses at no obstacle however formidable
: Man is but just beginning to fathom the
5 depths of his own genius, and TO appreciate
It Justly the hitherto inscrulable mysteries oI
e the material world. During the last hall
= century, the fountains OF knowledge appear
It to have been unscaled, and TO have sent fortl
y chrystal, gushing stream, throughout the
: earth. Within that period, the human intel
: lect seems TO have been illuminated with ,
t, light almost divine. 1t has searched int
10 the mysteries Of nature, and explored th'
d depths of science, with a scgacity nearly
e akin TO intuition, whilst the results Of its OBJ
r serva,ion have been combined into thou
l. sand useful, practical, forms, for the advance
IN ment of human happiness, and the elevation
le of our race, intellectually and morally
,r We have now reached point, beyond whicl
= it would appear, we can scarcely advance
ye provided there is to be any limit to humal
is progress in science and in art. We tray
H. erse rivers and oceans in floating palaces
G. surrounded with all the luxuries of life
or We climb mountains and skim over vallie
of at the rate of forty miles an hour, whilst w
ro are reclining upon cushioned seats, engage
ct in reading or in social conversation. w
id have chained the lightning and made it
y faithful messenger of business or pleasure
/, We bove onnihilatcd time and sDace an