Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1886-04-02

best prophets. Indeed, there is evidence to
show that three of the four leading advo-
Gates of the measure lived TO see and con-
tess their mistake, among them the distin-
gulshed author Of the proposition himself
who, in his address before the special COM
mittee on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
at Annapolis in 1858, reviewed all matters
of legislation with reference to the canal in
the advocacy of the bill drawn by him, en-
titled an act concerning the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal, referring with much warmth
to the changes he had undergone since 1850
with reference to the proper management
of this work.
We were one of the many who heard
Gov. Thomas upon the occasion referred to.
1t was claimed 10 be the grandest effort
of his long and eventful life. Well do we
remember with what terrible and magnetic
terror he threw the red hot and biting jave-
Inns of terrific sarcasm at those who had
prosttuted their official connection with
the canal to their individual preferment
With what burning eloquence he predicted
the gradual but sure encroachments of de-
cay that would necessarily attend this
work If 1t remained factor in politics OF
the State and its sad tragic end when il
should become the prey OF some rich and
overgrown corporation.
We knew Gov. Thomas well, we had
heard him in the sun-burst of his profes
sional and political splendor and never ad
mired him more than in this, the last great
effort of his life. He loved to revel in the
midst of the tempest and view with con-
scious pride the magical effect of his splendid
voice and mighty thought upon the fcsy Of
Y the stern. No il ragged around and above him.
His extraordinary tleq3epce resen,sled ono
of his native mountain torrents, small
in the beginning, gathering volume as 1t
progresses, sweeping all obstacles before il
as it rolls along, but as clear and transpar-
ent in the full majesty of ID irresistible
strength as the crystal fountain in which il
had its origin.
Strange fatality whilst his remarkable
life was aglow with honors lavished upon
him by admiring supporters, portions of il
were strangely weired from the pathetic
shadows of domestic unhappiness. And il
seems sad but somewhat fitting correspond
ence, that the evening Of his life, should find
him poised on mountain peak, which he
had so often described whilst President OF
the Canal Company, like solitary king OF
birds, and that a tragical accident, near this
same spot should suddenly terminate his
brilliant but melancholy career
So rapid have been the political changes
with reference to the canal since 1858 and
so frequent and disastrous the financial EN-
barrassments in consequence of these con
tinued changes anything further that we
might say would be old and undressing
The outlook at present is more than gloomy
Apparently unable to longer push through
the terrible financial embarrassments that
have so long retarded its anticipated use
funess, il is about to become the prey Of
wealthy corporations from abroad at the
sacrifice Of millions Of dollars to the State
and from other sources
We have held the idea since 1853 that il
the canal were taken from under the con
troll of the politicians and placed under tho
direction of some such men as Jacob Hum
bird, of Cumberland, or Nicholas d. Offutt
of this place, experienced, practical and en-
ergetic men, who would conduct its opera
tons on business principles, il would soor
become remunerative. But so thoroughly
and Systematically has it continued all thes'
many years subsidized in the interest o
party purposes, every new President ant
/, Board of Directors bringing about a com
plete revolution of all its officials, withou
regard to efficiency, save those who wer
enuenched behind fraud, until at last, bank
rupt in character and without credit, to,
poor to help itself and with no one to hell
1t, remains subject of painful solicitude