Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-04-27
w. NJ. WADLEY.
Why Il Monument Should Be Erected to
His MnmnrN.


Editors IelegrdDh and HeSScpder. IL
has been a commendable custom in all
ages and countries from time immemorial
to honor and perpetuate the memory Of the
illustriOuS dead. The catacombs and
pyramids of Egypt, the costly mausO-
leums of Greece and Rome, the rude
Indian mounds, as well as the beautiful
monuments of brass and marble that
adorn the cemeteries of all civilized
countries, alike testify TO the universal
existence of this time. .hOnOred custom
These reflections have been occasioned by
the published announcement that the
Board of Directors of the Central Rail
road and Banking Company had deter
mined to erectda suitable monument at
BOlingbrOke over the grave of the lament
ed Col. William NJ. Wadley.
This action of the board will not only
be indOrsed by every stOckholder as emil
nently wise and proper, but will meet
with the hearty approval of every Geor-
gian. The valuable lessons to be drawn
from the life of this truly great man can
not be appreciated by railroad men only.
but belong alike to all classes Of our cit-
zens. Commencing life without the adj
vantages of education, fortune or inilu-
ence, he became the recognized railroad
king of the South, and built up and estab-
lished upon firm basis a corporation
that has done more to develop
the material resources of Georgia than
all other agencies combined. BY the
strength of his we'll poised mind, his in
dOmitable Will and energy and incOrrupt-
ible integrity, he established a character
that ought to live and be perpetuated for
the benefit of all the young men of Geor-
gia now living or to come hereafter.
Though an humble employe of the Cen
tral Railroad it was the privilege of the
writer to have some opportunities to study
and comprehend both the public and pri-
Vate character OF Col. Wadley. Flattery
belongs to the living, not to the dead, and
| can sincerely say that a greater man
practically, purer man, more unsels
fish man, and in many respects a more
misunderstood man, never lived in Georgia.
But, Messrs. Editors, it is not my purpose
to write a eulOgy or review the life and
character Of Col. Wadley. This has been
done by ADLER pens than mine; but my
sole object in this short article is to sug-
gest and insist that the monument about
to be erected ought TO be located in the
city of Savannah. While / would not dis
parage the well-earned fame of Gordon
and CuYler, who preceded Col. Wadley in
the administration of the Central Rail
road, yet l think it would be safe to assert
that to no man, living or dead, does the
Central Railroad and Banking Company
and the city of Savannah owe so much as
to Col. Wadley. To him the Central Rail
road and the city of Savannah were
almost Synonymous terms, and while he
regarded his first allegiance as due to his
road, he looked upon the interests Of the
road and Of Savannah as inseparable.
Then how eminently proper it would be
for the monument that is to be erected to
his memory to be in Savannah-in the city
he loved and served so well-where it
''cOuld be seen and known of all men,"
Monuments are not for the dead only,
but more especially to commend the vir-
tues OF the dead to the living, so that they
may profit by the wise examples, pure
life and great traits of character illus
trated by the dead.
If the family of Mr.. Wadley desire il,
let his sacred remains rest where they do
nOw-at Bolingbroke-but | do hope that
they will consent to have the monument
erected in some public square in Savannah,
where it can be seen to remind the young
men Of Georgia that they, too, by the
exercise of his great character, can
achieve fame and usefulness in their day
and generation. EMPLOYE.
Albany, Ga, april %.