The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-03
O = I r. u a r Y.
SAMUEL FINLEY BREEse MORSE

SAMUEL FINLEY BREESE MORSE.
~~-~~~~~~~>-.>>>>~~
The serious indisposition OF Professor Samuel
Finley Breese Morse, that first exhibited itself about
SIX weeks since, caused some concern as O matter
OF course. 10 his many friends, but when four or
i've days his disease developed itself into neu-
ralgia Of the head and the venerable Father OF
Telegraph began TO sink rapidly few entertained
more than fragment OF hope OF his recovery
From last Friday until last evening the spirit Of the
aged inventor lowered near the curtain that sepa-
rates earth from heaven, surrounded by relatives
who had been summoned to his bedside but the
physicians gave no hope OF MIS- recovery. On Mon.
day morning he had q more marked change
for the worse, and becoming unconscious
lay In comatoso state until his DEATH
which occurred last evening at ten MIN
utes before eight O'Clock. The Professor at
tended when no passed away full OF years and
honors. by the members Of his family ana Drs. Flint
and Beardsley, who attended him through his III
ness For q few minutes yesterday morning he
seemed to be colsc0us; but only for q few minutes
and was unable to take his parting leave In words
OF the dear ones collected about his couch.
The mournful message OF the demise Of the aged
Professor Mashed on the WIRES Is laden with sad
ness to millions. Civilization mOurns the death OF
great beneiact0r. He whose brain devised the
mechanism that subdued the most wayward OF
elements TO the service Of man and made 1t his
willing messenger; VINO strung the wire by whose
means the slender currents Of the electric 1uid
taught the alphabet OF every living language and
anuihlated distance-the inventor OF the American
electric telegraph, Ii dead. Calmly and
reney, % he lived, he has passed from the
world he adorned. His life was most remark
able one IN many respects, but his trials were those
OF all ordained TO give TO the world new idea.
The inventor. In hts early struggles for recognition
and support must necessarily be subject 20 the
saults OF those whose philosophy Is that "what-
ever is Is best" The conservatism OF Ignorance Is
the unreenting enemy OF progressive knowled &c.
From Galllleo's to our own day the bold inno-
vator on tho established order Of things has mad
10 fight mis- way to recognition and fame through
annoying obstacles 1t IS human nature. Men
naturally object to confessing that they have
been asleep In the working hours OF their century,
II Is this feeling which ever raises mp enemies 10
him who by inventive genius prompts mankind to
loter aims and higher purpose Tho DAYS
happily past when the stake or dungeon threatened
the children OF genius Allied with IDEAS but the
modern mode OF persecution is hardly less severe.
1t is simply q substitution Of mental for physical
torture. TO be celebrated as an lrrecaimabe
lunatc, one whose fantasrcal Ideas have grown into
the wlldost fantasy, is perhaps no less q punish
ment to man sensitive Of the worlds opinion than
a dungeon cell or an auto da Je. But OF those who
IN our time suffered the agony Of ignorant ridicule
OF their ideas many nave enjoyed the ecstacy OF wit
Messing the accomplishment OF their hopes-a privl-
lege readily accorded to the reformers OF the past.
They lived to SOC the load OF rldicue taken or them
ana to see the full measure OF justice accorded
them. OF these was Samuel Finley Breese Morse.
His efforts to obtain recognition OF scientific
fact for long period only resulted In his attaining
or Mind
The more persistent ms cndeavors to show the
doubling Thomases OF his day the truth OF nature
revealed to him. the more Determined were they in
the opinion, freely and openly expressed, that he
was lunatic. How CALLING this insulting apathy
must have been to man OF his sensitive and kindly
nature can well be imagined But he bore his trials
with Christian, manly resignation, until his genius
was recognized by On applauding nation and q
grateful world. He lived to witness the element or
the skies he called TO labor on earth the wires he
taught vibrate the music OF American progress
sing his praises to the universe. man truly great
and good, MS eyes have closed on people that
vered him and world on which his great genius
conferred lmmeasurablc benefits.
Professor Morse was the FIRST son Of the Rev.
Jedediah Morse, whose geography Is a standard
work. He was born IN Charleston. Mass, April ~,
1871, and was consequently eighty years of age
He inherited his fathers somewhat remarkable
Abilities and when at Yale College. where ne
graduated IN 1910, he attracted considerable at,en-
ton. Most young men Of precociOus talent aban-
don themselves poetry In the early stage of their
intellectual development; but young Morse mani
tested Tor art. His father had little sym.
pathy with his sons efforts In this direction; out
finding IL Impossible 10 dlssuade MIN from DETER
minatOn to become painter he consedted, not
without reluctance, 10 send MIN to England 10
set out, IN company with Mr. Alliston, for Lon
don. Arrived In the British metropolis, ne
j riI West and soon dlstnguished himself.
He formed an intimacy with tue alterward cele.
trait ito OF the" the other In ISIS ne exhibited in Inc
Royal Academy his picture OF "Tne Dying Iercu-
les,n WORK Of great dimensions. which was highly
plaster model OF the same SUD- ct, which he had
made 70 assist hlm In MS paitlny was also cx-
A 2aspn Society y. 'ia so 20 fsfd % ms
cess the artist determined TO contend Tor tho
premium 10 historical comgnsis,0n offered
The picture, the subject Of witch was
"The Judgment OF Jupiter In the case
time but tir. Morse was compelled BY circuni.
stances return TO America early IN 1915, before the
premiums were aijndged, ana was consequently
debarred the privilege OF competing Tor the prize
He was afterwards assured that he would unioubt-
edly nave won 1t. Arrived IN tho United States he
took u his residence IN Boston, but the ony art ne
found in favor there the art or money making
so ne bent his steps TO New Hampshire. Here no
c2eu OUT uVluS ny pdluuuk VI HclBH-
bors at SIS head. From thence he went to
Charleston, 8. o., and was Deraily patronized oy
the would-be aristrOcrats OF that region. Tired,
however, OF the society OF the cnivary. he returned
TO New York IN 1922 ana made MS nome mere. dc
was authorized oy the corporation 10 paint the
portrait oil Lafayette, then on visit 10 this coun-
try, and worked nard until 1924, when he, with a
few artist friends orga nzed drawing association.
| The association grew ald prospcrci and became
| the basis OF the preseat noulisning Academy OF
| Design which was erected In $50. Ar. Morse was
the first resident and held oliice Tor sixteen years
activity, and he returned In is2s o. Europe lie
renamed In London three years. He was elected
TO the professorsniD Oh tho Literature OF the Arts oi
Design OF the city OF New York during MS ABSENCE
anu his return delivered series OF leciures on ths
topic. Prior TO this, however, his attention ad oeen
directed to o subject which was tDenceforth 70 en-
gross his thoughts and labors. While IN COLLEGE he
had been proficient In chemistry ana natural
philosophy as those sciences were then taught and
his interest In them had been subsequently, main
tanned and increased by the new and brilliant DIS