Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1862-01-23

were thrown out of employment, and knew
not what to get at to support themselves and
their families. Hundreds of horses and mules
were turned out to pasture. The coal mines
were unproductive; their thousands eff in
dnstrious operatives were thrown out of en-
ployment, their wives and hel pless children
were, in many cases, crying with agonizing
want. Hope had fed from the most san.
guine, and all appeared satisfied that the
Canal was to remain perfect waste, until
the rebellion should be crushed out and peace
be restored to our distracted country. But
the heart of Col. Spates could not conten :
plate ruin 80 widespread and wanton, and
with an energy and determination which
even the best friends of the Canal regarded
as the next thing to insanity, he determined
that navigation on the Canal should DO re-
opened With the Golfers of the Canal empty,
without credit on which the Company could
borrow one dollar, she was VIGOROUSLY bank
rupt; yet, with all of these disheartening
surroundings, to which must be added the
thousands Of murderous rebels along the en-
tire line of the Canal, ready at any moment
to shoot down any one who would attempt
its navigation, Col. Spates, with his own in
! dividual means and his own individual ere
dit, undertook to repair the Canal and place
| 1t i'll navlgable order. His personal friends
cndeavored to dissuade him from what they
told him was an impossibility, and an insane
enterprise. But his fearless spirit, unyiclding
energy, and untiriug industry, were not to C
checked. He made up his mind to accom-
plish this desirable object, and at it he went,
unil fluenced by friends and unawed by tie
threats Of border rebels. In person he passed
along the entire line Of the Canal. He en-
ployed laborers to make the repairs, he stood
by them from day to day while they were at
work, and asked no one to encounter any
risk or danger that he himself was unwilling
to meet. He paid every man for his work,
out of his own money, and when that was
exhausted he borrowed from his friends, on
his own credit; and when the Canal was
made navgable from Georgetown to Cum
berland-w which had cost him, as have been
Informed by some Of his friends, from twelve
to fifteen thousand dollars-not one dollar
did he leave due to any man he paid them
all off himself When all was ready for the
boats to start from Cumberland, on their
downward voyage, the timid were afraid to
risk themselves or their stock, but Col. S.
them by agreeing to go with
hem on their boats, aud share with them all
he dangers of the trip. Some Of them had .
rot sufficient money to lay in their supplies, r
tic. he loaned them all that war necessary {
o help them through to Georgetown and the .
points. For Others he agreed
o give them credit for their tolls, and made
himself responsible to the amount Of several
hundred dollars to the Collector. Thus en-
outraged, thus assisted and helped along,
he boatsmen went to work, and we have all
harcd in the vast benefits that have grown
tut of Col. SIS energy and industry. There
$ scarcely another man in Maryland that
would have done the same for the Canal that
lc has done. All praise is due TO him.
When it became manifest to Col. Spatcs
hat all Interests in the Canal would be I
greatly enhanced by securing for it the pro- {
Getting care Of the National Government, he {
to Washington and conferred with
he President of the United States. with the
Secretary of War, with Gen Scott, and after
wards with Gen. McClellanh, and other dis
insuishcd members Of the Government, and ,
aid before them all the great Importance to
he Government Of keeping open the Canal
through its entire line so as to insure a ready
md constant supply Of coal for the use Of
steamers, and thousand other purposes Of
lie greatest Importance 10 the Government
besides bringing to Washington upon its
lausible products OF the soil from all West
IN Maryland.
Nor did Col. Spates neglect to demonstrate
o those in authority at Washington, the ,
,rcat advantage which the Canal would !
ford to the Government, in carrying sup ,
,lics Of every description from the seat of .
government to Gen. Banks division of the I
rmy, on the upper Potomac. The Govern $
nent, after carefully examining the state I
ncrts and reasoning of Col. Spates, agreed
0 throw over the Canal its protecting care,
nd over him as the President of the Com
'any, its endorsement, its protection and aid. {
Iany of the good effects of this arrangement
rave already been felt by the Government 9
nd others trading on the Canal '
1t is true that some persons, not knowing q
r understanding exactly the relation in c
Which Col. Spates stands to the Government G
of his obligations to obey the orders of the
secretary of War, Gen. Stone and other
military authorites-may be disposed to
ensure and find fault with him for what {
nay seem to them a neglect or rcmissness of
ONE of his duties but am enabled to as {
ure all such, that no man was ever more
ealously and uninterruptedly engsg cd in ,
athfully serving the Government and the t
,ublic, than Col. Spates has been since lie |
;al 10 IF of