The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-03-05
What Grorge Stephenson Accomplished.

At the banquet given by tho manufac-
turers of Pittsburg to the American Rail
way Master Mechanics Association on the
occasion of its last convention, which was
held in that city, Hon. J. Tying Brooks, in
response to the toast, George Stephenson,
the Great Master Mechanic made an elo-
quent speech. from which, as published in
the Second Annual Report of the Assecia-
ton we make the following extract:
GLOW marked is tho change in the pub
lie sentiment respecting railroads now and
forty years ago, when George Stephenson,
whose name and deeds we would recall to-
night, was reasoning, pleading, coaxing,
and fighting, fer it took all Of these to per-
suade England into having railroad. Far
different from this scene Of splendor which
is spread before us tonight were the asso-
Citations of his early life 40 bahquots were
given to him when he was unfolding the
properties of the locomotive and studying
how he might make it useful to his fellow
men. Instead OF plaudits from the press,
encouragement from the Government and
men of science, the unlettered Nolthum-
brian miner had to fight his way i'll the
face of them all until he planted his rail
road and locomotive in their midst and
Justly won place among the benefactors
of his race.
go to the mining districts of your own
State, to the Lehigh valley, the Westm"rc-
land or the Yeughiogheny mines, and you
cannot find so humble an abode as that in
which George Stephenson was born and
reared. One single room in house Of four
rooms, each occupied by a family, was for
years the home of his father, mother, and
six brSthers and sisters. Away from
schools, books. and educated companions
his toll at the mines began when he was
big enough to lead horse, his comrades
the rough, uncultivated miners and drivers.
his leisure time employed in such diver
sions only as his own ingenuity OF fancy
could devise. And yet from such a begin
ming and such surroundings, grew the world
renowned Master Mechanic, the accom-
plished engineer the opulent railroad and
locomotive builder, the companion of schol-
lrs, statesmen, and princes. His life, while
especially to those who are interested in
the history and progress of railroads. is
the most instructive example | could name
FOR those to initiate, who, in youth and
Tn
For George Stephenson was not waited by
fortunate winds nor lifted by powerful
friends to the eminence lie attained. AT
v-ry step in his inventions lie was stub
bornly opposed by the ignorant, the selfish
he prejudiced, and sometimes even by the
educated. until at length he triumphed
over every obstacle, and by his individual
cxertions raised himself to the proud posi-
tien lie finally occupied. His success was
iue to patient industry, careful study, fru-
,al habits, and above all spirit that was
ever undaunted and invincible. Vixen
quite boy his enthusiasm was centered
IA the stationary engine, and hours that
were given by his companions to play, he
spent in taking the engine to pieces, exam
lining carefully its separate parts, learning
the purposes of each, and when at an unu-
>ually early age he had mastered its details.
he began to suggest and make improve
ments. Evenings he devoted to make shoe
lasts mending clocks and shoes, and cut
ting out garments for the miners, and at
ighteen years of age he began to learn
he mysteries of the alphabet and try t"
cad, write and cypher. And now behold
the work he accomplished and the results
re achieved. When he came to the Kill,
.ingworth mines he found them cmbar-
:assed by defective machinery for hosting.
jumping; and ventilating, and the product
# the mines was drawn in carts by horses
Town to the sea. He left them with i'm,
proved engines with improved methods 81
jumping and draining, a safety lamp of his
wn invention, to protect miners nom thei'
,tealthy and dreaded foe, fire damp, anf,
We locomotive engines and a railway by
which to transport coal to the shipping
port. lie appeared before societies OF
learned men, before parliamentary commit,
tees, and with earnest Northumbrian eia
'ect asserted the utility of travelling engine:
md iron tracks.
"And SO slow was England to believe
him, so blind to the value of railroads, tina,
her House Of Commons rejected the frs
ill to allow one to be built, because thu
proposed route lay through a certain noble
mans fox cover. Even his own friend
md supporters were increduleus Of the
p1wer and speed he predicted of his loce
motive, and when he declared it could be
made to travel twenty miles an hour, they
legged him to speak within bounds, for Ii.
would certainly ruin their prospects if h'
alked of so insane project as traiI
moving at twenty miles an hour. Ant
when 4 new survey was made to avoid thu
nebleman's hunting ground, when Stephen
sons tongue was bridled so that it wsuld
speak of eight or nino miles an hour in
stead of twenty, it still took lawyers, lob.
byists, and thousands of pounds sterling t,
convince tho Solons Of England that rail
| road would be useful institution. AnG
the bill for the second railroad in England
could only be carried through Parliamen
| on condition that the cars should be movee
| by horses and not by travelling engines
People everywhere cried that railroad
would ruin tic country. Catholic priest
in a nei.hboring county denounced then
as the beginning of the reign of -Antishrist
| Men claimed that they would destroy canal
and stage lines; horses would becsm
worthless; half the men in England woul'
lie forced to idleness and poverty; cattl
and sheep in pasture would be terrified t
death at the sight Of 4 locomotive flynn
through the air, breathing fire and smoke
and unearthly noises in its mad career
gardens and strawberry patches would b
ruthlessly invaded; game preserves woul'
he destroyed women would be brought t.
premature confinement and universal dis
quiet, disorder, and calamity, would follo'
tho establishment of railroads. Such OF
nj q \ II,