Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-19
DWELLING THE STATUE.
THE WADLEY MEMORIAL DEDI-
CATION CEREMONIES.

Hon. j. Il. Cummings Addrees-Pre-
sentatfOn of the Statue to the City of
Macon and it's Acceptance by Hon. A.
o. Bacon.
MACON, June 1s.-The bronze statue
OF Col. VIM. NJ. Wadley, President of the
Central Railroad from 1866 to his death in
August, 1882, was unveiled in Macon to-
day with imposing ceremonies, and was
formally presented to the city by the
Wadley Memorial Association. Seats
had been provided for several hum
bred spectators at the intersection OF
Mulberry and Third streets, and a plat
form reared for the orators, upon
which We're also seated the
officers and directors OF the
Wadley Memorial Association, the direc-
tors Of the Central Railroad and other lines
of the Central system, the Mayor and Al
dermen of this city and other distin-
guished guests. The proceedings were
opened by President William Rogers,
afterwhich followed amost impressive and
eloquent prayer by Rev. j. X. Winches-
ter. Hon. J. J. Gresham, in brief
speech, introduced Hon. j. b. Cumming,
OF Augusta, who paid glowing tribute
TO the memory of the deceased President.
lie traced his life from infancy and boy
hood in the cottage home in New Hamp-
shire to his death in New York and his
burial in Georgia. He depleted his earnest
struggle in the great battle Of
life, his rigid adherence to truth, TO honor,
and to honesty, and he held up his blame
less public and private life as one worthy
of the emulation Of good men. Com
menting on the inscription on the front
face of the pedestal, he said that great
soldiers were to be found on
every page of history, great statesmen
in every country, but that great railway
managers were rarely TO be met with. He
depicted the use ofeXaggerated language,
especially as applied TO the life and acts
OF one who would have sternly condemned
such language were he in life TO hear it.
THE UNWILLING.
81 will now unvetl to yOu.0 the speaker
said, ''the face and form of him you knew
so WELL" and at a signal from the sculp-
tor, Mr.. Gushing, the veil was with.
drawn and the figure Of the lamented
Wadley was given to the gaze of the
multitude. 1t is not possible in syn
opsls, brief as this must be, to do |
justice TO the splendid Grafton of
Major Cumming. He held the vast
audience charmed from first to last, and |
was shortly followed by Capt. J. A. Davis, |
OF Albany, who opened his presentation |
speech by reference to that feeling which |
is common to all aud prompts Us to honor |
the dead and to perpetuate their memo |
rles. The existence OF such feeling from /
time immemOrial is proved throughout |
the pages OF ancient and modern history. |
The gathering to-day was prompted by |
this teeling-that we might paw tribute |
70 the memory Of one whose life has been |
eloquently portrayed by the distinguished |
speaker who had Just taken his leave. In |
} hon Hg1 NF,.4l
Was not the death of an orator, statesman,
warrior or poet that was announced, but
the death Of pure man, a successful and |
practical man, who had devoted a long
and ldb0riOus career TO the development
Of the material prosperity of the country.
a NATIONAL LOSS.
1t WAS felt that a national loss had been
sustained. But" the speaker asked.
show can properly describe the sense OF |
lrreparable loss and profound grief that |
filed the hearts and minds Of thousands /
OF employees who recognized in him a be-
loved chieiy His ability aud SUCCESS, his
integrity, his inileXIbe Justice, his com
prehensive and tar-seeng intellect. his
purity Of public and private life were
looked upon by them with that love and
admiration that children feel for u good
just and distinguished father. From this
love and admiration came their desire to
show II 20 the world, OF which desire this
splendid monument is tue result. The
desire To give expression TO these feelings 1
could not be said TO have originated in
the mind Of amy one man or any one !
place, but by common consent
and with unanimity ct action on the part
OF all the employees IL was determined To |
perform this work OF love. The matter
took form and shape 10y the formation Of
the Wadley Memorial Association. ASH
look to-day upon the fun realization |
OF all our hopes in It's
final completion, may | not
say to that association, lis officers and
board OF directors, and 10 all the employees
whose generous and voluntary cOntribu-
TONS this imposing monument represents,
We'll done good and faithful servants y
Capt. Davis then cOmplimented the
sculptor IN the highest terms for ''haVing
given 10 us such an artistic piece Of work
and 50 true Il likeness of the original"
MACON's CHOOSING.
lie then gave an account Of the manner
IN which Macon was chosen as the loca-
ton FOR the memorial, and testified to the
generous and kindly manner with which
The City Council Of Macon met the com
mittee, aud said TINT the association were
assured that they could safely intrust 10
that body the custody aud perpetual care
and keeping Of this memorial. IL should
stand as an open page from which the
youth OF this beautiful city may draw
that inspiration which viii lead Them to
be great and useful in their day and gem
GRAFTON, and learn that
Honor and fame from no condition rise.
Act wei your part, there an the honor lies"
hon. A. o. Bacon replied TO Capt. Davis
on behalf OF the Mayor aud Aldermen. ac-
ceptlng tue memorial in the name of the
city Of Macon. His speech was replete
with true eloquence and was a splendid
eulogy upon the lite and character of
William NJ. Wadiey, whom ne character
lied as truly great man, great in
bis purposes, great in resolution.
great IN his designs, great in their execu-
tiOn.
When he had concluded President Roy
ers announced the conclusion of the cere-
monies, and The vast audience broke up
into admitting groups, who fingered
around tue base of the pedestal, eNamin-
ing lt with approving eyes. The statue
Is a grand work, whether considered az a
portrait or as "a work Of art, and Mr..
Gushing has been kept busy all day re-
ceiyirg The congratulations Of critics and
art cOnnOieseurs.
HISTORY or THE MEMORIAL.
The history Of the movement which
eliminated In the erection OF the statue
IT. HH.H .HH "a HHHH