Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-13
Atlantic Telegraph Cable.
TWENTY FIrrH ANNIvERsARY OF ITs ORIGIN
CELEBRATED

TwExrY-Firrm ANSrvrnsARY OF IT'S ORiGIN
CELEBRATED.
The 18th anniversary of the inception of
the Atlantic cable was held at the residence
of Cyrus W. Field in Gramercy park, New
York, Tuesday evening. The originators of
this great enterprise-Peter Cooper, CYRUS
W. Field Moses Taylor and Marshall o.
Roberts, were present; also Wilson q. Hunt,
who succeeded Chandler White, one of the
originators. To accommodate the great
throng an extension was built in the rear of
Mr.. Fields spacious mansion, which was
made the banqueting hall. 1t was finely
draped in bunting with the American and
English coats of arms. The table held de-
vices of steamships, locomotives, sections of
cables and Geographic emblems. The crowd
began to pour in at nine o'clock, and con-
tinued steadily until midnight.
There were at least 2OOO people present
during the evening, comprising men repre-
sentng the craftsmanship wealth, intellect,
the enterprise, progress and capital of the ma
ton. There were many warm greetings of
and the cordially and good feeling exhibited
to the host and his family were exceedingly
hearty.
At 10 o'clock, when the spacious parlors
were perfectly packed, Cyrus w. Field called
the audience to order and said:
Neighbors and Friends, -Twenty-fve years
ago this evening, in this house, in this room.
and on this table, and at this very hour, was
signed the agreement to form the New York
Newfoundland and London Telegraph Com
pany,-the first company ever formed to lay
an ocean cable. 1t was signed by five per-
sons, four of whom-Peter Cooper, Moses
Taylor, Marshall o. Roberts and mvself-
are here tonight
The fifth, Mr.. Chandler White, died two
years after, and his place was taken by Mr..
Wilson &. Hunt, who is also present. OF nv
associates, it is to be said to their honor, as
might have been expected from men of their
high position and character, that they stood
by the undertaking mantully for twelve long
years, through discouragements such as no.
body knows but themselves. Those who APP
plaud our success know little through what
struggles it was obtained. One disappoint-
ment followed another till 'hope deferred
made the heart sick" We had little help
from outside, for few had any faith in our en-
terprise. But not man deserted the ship.
All stood by it to the end. 1t is matter for
grateful acknowledgements that we are spared
to see accomplished the work that we began.
and that we can meet now at the end of a
quarter of century, to look with wonder at
what has been wrought since in other parts of
the world.
Twenty-Five years ago there was not an
ocean cable in the world. To-day there are
over 10000 miles of cable crossing the seas
and the oceans and as if it were not enough to
have messages sent with the speed of light.
ming they must be sent in opposite directions
at the same moment have Just received a
telegram from Nalentia, Ireland, which reads
This anniversary witnesses the duplex work
ing across the Atlantic as an accomplished
fact by which the capacity of all our ocear
cables is doubled. Who can measure the
effect of this swift intelligence passing to and
fro! Already it regulates the markets of the
world But better still is the new relation
into which it brings different kindred of man
kind Nations are made enemies by their 10
norance of each other.
A better acquaintance leads to better I'M
derstanding. The sense of nearness. the re
lation of neighborhood. Is it not a sign tina
a better age is coming, when along the ocear
bed, strewn with wrecks of war, now glid,
the messages Of peace. One thing only re