Excerpt from The Atlantic Telegraph: Report of the Proceedings at a Banquet, Given to Mr. Cyrus W. Field
The success of the Atlantic Telegraph is one of the great events of the nineteenth century. History will point to it as one of the landmarks of modern progress. In 1858, on the morning after the landing of the cable at Valentia, the London Times said: “Since the discovery of Columbus, nothing has been done in any degree comparable to the enlargement thus given to the sphere of human activity.” What was then but little more than a gleam of the future, is now a permanent reality. To Americans especially is this of moment, as it brings the New World alongside the Old, and establishes a community of thought and intelligence between the two hemispheres. Hence they have watched its progress with deep interest, and also with pride, for the part in it borne by one of their countrymen, who was the foremost in the enterprise, who started it at the beginning, and stood by it to the end. The merchants of New-York, proud of the achievement of one of their own number, wished to do him honor. Accordingly the Chamber of Commerce appointed a committee to arrange for some suitable celebration of the final triumph of the Ocean Telegraph, which should also be a testimonial to its projector. After consultation, it was concluded that the best form it could take was that of a Public Banquet, as that would enable a large number of citizens to join in the demonstration, and in the congratulations of the hour.
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