Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1872-04-10
Sanuel Ff.ley Breese Morse.

Sanuel Finley Breese Morse.
The inventor Of the telegraph. Samuel
F. B. Morse, was buried in Greenwood
Cemetery. New York. on last Friday
He was born in Charlestovn. Mass, on
the 9Th day Of April, 1871. Graduating
with distinguished honors from Yale Col
lege, at the age of nineteen years. he de.
termined to adopt engineering as pro-
fession, but subsequently concluded to
become an artist. He first opened his
studio in Boston. But, here patrons of
art failed to recognize his genius, and he
subsequently removed to New Hamp'
shire. thence to South Carolina, and ulti-
mately. in 1922, settled in New York
City. Here he rapidly achieved brilliant
success; for not only was he the recipi-
ent of numerous applications for the pro-
ducts of his pencil. but the city employ
ed him to execute a full-sized portrait Of
Lafayette. This he accomplished to the
full satisfaction Of his admiring patrons.
During his visit to Europe, the subject
of electro magnetism was a prominent
theme of discussion with his friends, Mr..
Morse having for long time previous
given it special attention. While on
board the vessel on which he was to re-
turn to this country, the subject of cleo
tricity and magnetism was frequently in
troduced, and the recent discoveries in
France, as to the means Of obtaining the
electric spark from the magnet, was an
absorbing topic of conversation. His
pbilosophic and practical mind revolved
the various theories and views suggested
by the French savans aud his own COM
panions, until he finally conceived the
idea of an electric telegraph; and before
the arrival of the vessel in port, he had
embodied his conception in delineations.
with explanatory notes, and presented
them for the examination of his fellow.
passengers.
He at once proceeded to Washington.
and. introducing his system to the atten-
tion of leading statesmen, eloquently be-
sought Congress for an appropriation to
enable him to establish an experimental
line of telegraphic communication be
tween Baltimore and the capital. But
the sapient Solons of that day regarded
his scheme as utopian, in theory and
practice, and ridiculed his zeal and enthu-
siasm. Baffled but not disheartened,
though well nigh penniless, he sought to
enlist the interest and sympathy Of for
s:-n countries, but there too encountered
defeat. The age was not prepared to
appreciate the brilliant discovery OF tbis
gifted genius. -....
But brighter morn was to dawn for
Prof. Morse. At midnight. OH the last
day of the session of ls43, Congress ap-
propriated $4,000 to aid his enterprise.
Owing, however, to insuperable dificul.
ties, it was not until the eth of May,
1874, that those memorable words,
what hath God Wrought" transmitted
from Baltimore to Washington. demon
strated beyond the power of cavil. bis
triumphant vindication. Since that au.
spicious day the crowned heads of Eu-
rope have iavished distinguished honors
upon him. In addition to medals, cross
es, and decorations, they contributed
400, 900 francs, as an honorary testimo-
NAL to his invaluable contributions to the
cause Of science and civilization. Nor
has his own countrymen forgotten him
His statue in Central Park is one of the
evidences of their profound admiration
Our institutions Of learning, all over the
land, proudly enroll his among their
honored names. Artists and philoso-
pliers. statesmen and merchant princes.
alike gratefully acknowledge their in
debtedness to his brilliant genius, his un-
falterins energy, and his indomitablc
persevereance.-Erchdnge.