The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-08-01
BFOalbTim'S New York Letter
Special to the CARBON ADVOCATE.


One of the sensations of the week has
been the failure of the great ship-builder
John Roach--a failure that will bring
sadness to as many homes as that of
any living American. For though John
Roach was born in Ireland. and Is an
honor to the land that gave him birth,
he was reared in our midst from boy
hood and was a splendid example to
the poor and industrious man of the
wonderful possibilities Of our American
life, and in heart and feeling was as
truly an American as any son of the soil
born within the limits of the Union.
1t is hard TO understand what salts
faction any one can feel at the downfall
and misfortunes of such man; yet
certain class of papers in this city gloat
over the ruin as if he were pirate and
a thief, instead of man who is held in
the highest honor by those who know
him best "a workingman and the friend
of the workingmen-a considerate en-
ployer and generous patron-a man
whose word was his bond, and whose
paper was discounted by millions at the
| banks at the lowest rates because they
| knew John Roach was an honest man.
The fierce competition of business has
brought him in constant conflict with
men in the same line as himself, and he
generally came off victorious; and that
American shipbuilding was not utterly
crushed out of existence is as much due
to John Roach as to any living man.
Five hundred vessels Of various classes
have been turned out of his ship-yards,
three hundred of them being built of
iron; many of which are as noble speci-
mems of naval architecture as ever sailed
the sea. The report of his assignment
fell on the community like q thunder
clap, causing a sensation that would
hardly have been felt If we had recorded
the news that Jay Gould had been blown
up on the Atlanta, or Vanderbilt had
. | DtllSlltu III u ldlllOdb uloelSAIl'
1t is only a few months since l attend
ed meeting where Mr.. Roach spoke
and told the story of the struggles o
his carly life, and of the possibilities
that the United States offer to the maI
who is persevering, industrious anC
honest. On that night he could hay,
drawn his check fora million of dollars
and there Is not bank in the lan'
: which knew the man and had the mon
ey in its vaults, that would have hesitat
l ed to cash it. To-day he Is Il bankrupt
1 hunted down In his old age by men VIII
S have bounded him for years, and VIII
< at last have succeeded in compaSsin
i his ruin. Mr.. Roach is an old man, an
5 it is possible that the cruel blow whic
5 struck him down is irreparable an
e fatal; but the misery OF his downfa
viii not be felt alone in the sorrowfr
IS shadow Of his own home; the thousand
e of skilled mechanics and laborers VIII
v have depended on him for support wi
It feel it more grievously than he, and fc
them and their suffering suffering fam
il lies l cannot but feel the deepest con
q miseration. We have known JUh
O Roach for many years in New York; h
has grown up in our midst, and his fai
!, ure is regarded by all who know him
the light Of public calamity.
n The last week has been simply terr
: ble-the Thermometer climbing to I'll
r. nineties every day and frequently gettin
q in dangerous proximity to 00s. 1t wa
torrid heat, against which it was in
possible TO fight, and before which a
! nature wilted limp and helpless. Poop
fed from the city as if the cholera va
: about to enter the back door, and at II
" frghtful solor wave that brought to L
I, untold suffering, the Coney Island lan'
W. lord sent up shout Of exceeding grc'
D Joy, as this torrld calamity opened
p" him visions of plumber which the hea'
'e Of man hath scarcely conceived. I'll
.e rush for the seaside has been tremeI
81 dous, and our Saturday afternoons haS
ls got 10 be very much like those OF Enl
r land, many OF our large manufacture
10 and great stores giving their employe,
Of the entire afternoon; this Of course
o an immense thing for the out of tow
il resorts, Of which thousands Of mel
y women and children take advantage