SPEECH IN THE SENATE, ON A JOINT RESOLUTION GIVING THE THANKS OF
CONGRESS TO CYRUS W. FIELD, MARCH 2, 1867.
By a joint resolution introduced by Mr. Morgan, of New York,
the President was requested “to cause a gold medal to be
struck, with suitable emblems, devices, and inscription, to be
presented to Mr. Field,” and to “cause a copy of this joint
resolution to be engrossed on parchment, and transmit the same,
together with the medal, to Mr. Field, to be presented to him
in the name of the people of the United States of America.”
March 2d, the joint resolution was considered. After a speech
from Mr. Morgan, Mr. Sumner said:--
MR. PRESIDENT,--I rejoice in every enterprise by which human industry
is quickened and distant places are brought near together. In ancient
days the builders of roads were treated with godlike honor. I offer
them my homage now. The enterprise which is to complete the railroad
connection between the Pacific and the Atlantic belongs to this class.
But this is not so peculiar and exceptional as that which has already
connected the two continents by a telegraphic wire. It is not so
historic. It is not itself so great an epoch.
It is not easy to exaggerate the difficulty or the value of the new
achievement.
The enterprise was original in its beginning and in every stage of
its completion. It began by a telegraph line connecting St. John’s,
the most easterly port of America, with the main continent. This was
planned at the house of Cyrus W. Field, by a few gentlemen, among whom
were Peter Cooper, Moses Taylor, Marshall O. Roberts, and David Dudley
Field. New York and St. John’s are about twelve hundred miles apart.
When these two points were brought into telegraphic association, the
first link was made in the chain destined to bind the two continents
together. Out of this American beginning sprang efforts which ended in
the oceanic cable.
In other respects our country led the way. The first soundings across
the Atlantic were by American officers in American ships. The United
States ship Dolphin first discovered the telegraphic plateau as early
as 1853, and in 1856 the United States ship Arctic sounded across from
Newfoundland to Ireland, a year before Her Majesty’s ship Cyclops
sailed the same course.
It was not until 1856 that this American enterprise showed itself in
England, where it was carried by Mr. Field. Through his energies the
Atlantic Telegraphic Company was organized in London, with a board of
directors composed of English bankers and merchants, among whom was
an American citizen, George Peabody. By conjoint exertions of the two
countries the cable was stretched from continent to continent in 1858.
Messages of good-will traversed it. The United States and England
seemed to be near together, while Queen and President interchanged
salutations. Then suddenly the electric current ceased, and the cable
became a lifeless line. The enterprise itself hardly lived. But it was
again quickened into being, and finally carried to a successful close.
British capital, British skill, contributed largely, and the society
had for its president an eminent Englishman, the Right Honorable James
Stuart Wortley; but I have always understood that our countryman
was the mainspring. His confidence never ceased; his energies never
flagged. Twelve years of life and forty voyages across the Atlantic
were woven into this work. He was the Alpha and the Omega of a triumph
which has few parallels in history.
Englishmen who took an active part in this enterprise have received
recognition and honor from the sovereign. Some have been knighted,
others advanced in service. Meanwhile Cyrus W. Field, who did so much,
has remained unnoticed by our Government. He has been honored by the
popular voice, but it remains for Congress to embody this voice in a
national testimonial. If it be said that there is no precedent for such
a vote, then do I reply that his case is without precedent, and we
must not hesitate to make a precedent by this expression of national
gratitude. Thanks are given for victories in war: give them now for a
victory of peace.
The joint resolution passed both Houses without a division, and
was approved by the President.[91]