The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-08-27
Cyrus W. Field.

We extract from speech delivered by Hon.
VIM. ii. Seward. at Auburn, n. V, the follow
ing interesting relation of the labors of Dir.
Field. which have recently been crowned
with success:
Let me derive from this great subject a hum.
BILE instruction The two great countries of
which have SPOKEN presume | may raw
aiFcountries-nre now ringing with the prai.
ses ofCyrus w. Field, who chiefly lus brought
this great enterprise TO its glorious and benc.
ficent consummation. Yon have never heard
his story. Lot me give you q few prominent
points IN 1T as lesson, that there is no condi-
ton Of life III which man, ndewed with ma.
tive genius, a benevo lent spirit, and n courage
Gus patience, may not become a bcncfnctot of
nations and uf mankind. Cyrus w. Fi,ld, q
lew years ngo, was merchants clerk in Broad
way, and after time became. as every capa-
ble merchants clerk may become retail and
then. a wholesale dealer. TheTelegraph com.
inunications were already perfected in all di.
. and the nations of Western Europe. The prac-
Sticability Of submarine cables was successfully
established by tclegraphc lines across the IT.
ish,Channel and the German Ocean. All that
remained to do TO unite severed continents aud
bring together disj"incd portions Of the world,
was to stretch a cable Oh the bottom ofthc sea,
from the Bay ofNacntia in Ireland to Trinity
Bay on the coast Of Newfoundland.
This unknown and obscure merchant volun.
tccred and appointed himself to tho mission of
efectng that great and difficult enterprise.
Without cloquence, without any of that fucul.
~ or,making political combinations, such as
statesmen arc understood to possess: only the
this obscure merchant brought into being an
association of Americans and Enplishrnen
which contributed from surplus wealth the
email capital necessary MS basis for the en-.
terprise. It remained to engage the consent
aud the activity of the Governments of Great
Britain and the United States That was all
that remained Such consent and activity on
tile part of some one great nation of Europe
was nilthat remained ncedfnl for Columbus
when he stood ready to bring II new continent
forwasl rs n theatre of the worlds civiiza.
tion. But in each case that effort was the
MOST difficult of all. Cyrus W. Field, by nssi.
duty and patience, first secured consent and
conditional engagement on the part of Great
Britain, and then, less than two years ago. he
repaired to Washington. The President and
Secretary ofStatc, individually, favored his
proposition. hut the jealousies of parties and
sections in Congress forbade them 10 lend it
their official sanction and patronage. lie up.
pealed to Inc. drew the necessary hill With
Tie generous aid of others. and the indispcn-
sable aid ofthe late Thomas j. Rusk, a Sena.
tor from Texas, that bill, after severe con.
test and long delay, WINS carried through the
Senate of the United States by the majority, il
remember rightly, Of one vote, and escaped
dcfeat in the House of Representatives with
equal difficulty. have said the aid OF Mr.
Rusk wns Indispensable. If any one has won
dered why ! m extreme Northern man.. loved
and larneDted Thomas j. Rrsk. an equally -ex.
treme Southern man, they have here an expla.
nation, Ihereiwas no good thing which, rs il
seemed to me, could not do in Congress with
his aid. When he died it seemed to me tina,
no good thing could be dono by any one. But
so vehement were the Prejudices entertained
against Mr.. Field himself for what was then
regarded as prcsumtion and ohiciousness or
his part; although he is the most modest o f ali
men, that the great bill was only saved by his
Withdrawing, ,Snt the request of Mr. Rusk and
myself, from the Senate Chamber, from it's pas
sage and lobbics, and even from the Capto
grounds, and remaining unobtrusive and un
seen in his own lodgings. Such was the posi-
. tion of Cyrus w. Field ut this stage of th
great enterprise. But Cyrus w. Field, thus a
Lust fortified with capital derived from. New
York and London, aud with the navies o
~ Great Britain and the United States at hi
command, has, after trials that would huv
discouraged any other than q true diseoverer
brought the great work to a, a,felcitious cousum
nation. And the Queen of Great Britain an,
the President of the United States stand wait
ing his permission to speak, and ready to speal
at his bidding; and the people Of these tw,
greaticountries await onl " the signal from hin
to rush into. fratern al embrace which will EN-
brace which will prove the oblivion of ages O
suspicion, ofjealousies and of anger.
.