The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-31
JAMES M,,IEyRY.

[From the London Cosmopolitan
The eventfu records Of English finance, or indeed
those OF any other country may be searched in vain
for an instance OF the great results achieved by
single mind that can be compared to that which has
just TRANSFERRED In the case OF the Atlantic and Great
Western Railway. This splendid property, repre-
senting some twelve millions sterling and upward,
trembled 1t one moment on the verge Of utter ruin.
When the tremendous hurricane or '66 broke over
London, overwhelming in Its furious course
many OF our strongest financial institutions; when
every day recorded the fall OF lofty regulations and
unexpected credits when every hour had its thrilling
tale OF unexpected disaster the aYrghted bondhoders
OF the Atlantic and Great Western Railway expected
ut every instant TO see their securities torn from their
desperate grippe and scattered TO the winds. At this
very crisis the Chairman OF the Board, Sir Morton
Peto, fell with tremendous crash, and was buried
under the fragments Of thousand fortunes that he
dragged down with him into the abyss of bank
Casar Of od they awaited IKE him u The fata blow
that was TO consign them TO financial death; but,
more happy than he they were reserved for better
1ate When ali Its strongest supports had yielded to
the storm, when even Its official representative
had disappeared, this great railway, though
shaken TO its foundations still stood upright and
resisted with incredible elasticity the fury OF the
tempest IL outlved the catastrophes Of '66 and by
what miracle that was accomplished we shall eX-
pam us we proceed. This was far from the last or
deal this vast enterprise had to undergo. In truth,
IL was only the first OF series OF vicsstudes that
threatened II hundred times with destruction. AS
sailed In 'front.' by panicstrCken creditors, attacked
In the rear witt every form OF malicious misrepresen
talon and secretly undermined by artful intrigues
aud traiiorous cabas, Il finally energies to-day from
all these perils aud trials a solid, magnificent
property representing twenty shiings In the pound,
and wnh future OF profit and prosperity that
the most incredul0us can no longer doubt.
That this marvellous result should be the solitary
work OF single will IL not the least remarkable fca-
turc OF Ills 'strange eyentfu history.n Yet 10 Is
incontesuby true that the Atlantic and Great West
ern Railway has been saved from utter wreck by the
ability. resolution and fortilude OF single man; and
y Affords as no small satisfaction 10 point to James
Mclienry a. the man In question. II was he Who IN
lso6, stood undismayed amid the fearful ruins that
SURROUNDED him, aud who, hestating at no sacrihce
aud defyng all encouragement struggled heroically
day by day 20 rescue the immense property
o. o., when he was the solitary champion: success;
iui IN TINS desperate attempt, he len England
In tho sprta Of 1897 70 defeat In New York the machl
nations OF designing men, who had fastened on this
torious In hi manly Tight he returned to London in
the autumn vi the same year to check and termi-
f,s II Possible. the suicidal conflicts that had
broken out amongst the desparing creditors OF the
runway. Enrased by clamor and falsehood they had
sought o paraiyze the only that had sustained
reason, nrmly resisting the temptation Of compro-
h hrns nc Continued his indomtable efforts 70
view Oh ueiI interests and harmonious course
OF action. His trmncss patience and zeal are
st length rewarded. The meeting Of the desenture
Monday last are grand events in the tful history Of
TINS impcrileu railway. Not only do they vindicate
the character aud untold services Of James NC.
henIy put they establish the final redemption over
al dangers and against all contingencies Of this enor
NOUS properly, AZ these meetings every class Of
abandoned then conflicts. Concord and common
sense triumphed together. and by saving their pro-
perry from the wasting process OF endless and ruin
Gus litigation they have fulfilled the aspirations
and crowned the exertons OF the man whom they
once detained a. d.spoler and whom they now
gratefully recognize AZ q benefactor. James Nc
Henry n entitled TO the homage OF all good men,, but
his highest reward will be the sweet approval OF his
own conscience; and we, who at one period opened
our columns TO the most active OF his detractors,
heartily join IN the chorus OF praise that awaits him.
IL would record but half Of the great merit that Ia his
que n We did not signase the fact that, without
e1prt or hboL ~ migbt have aled his Cogers 70