“In the accomplishment of this work it is our privilege to regard it as a great and glorious means for diffusing useful knowledge throughout the world.... I trust our united efforts will hasten the glorious time when nations will have war no more; when they will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning-hooks. I trust our own country and government will always stand as a bright and shining light in the pathway of nations to cheer on with hope the suffering millions of mankind who are now struggling for life, liberty, and happiness—a happiness that is possible to men and nations who will cultivate the arts of peace instead of wasting their energies in wars of mutual destruction.
“Let us hope that the day will soon come that will secure peace and good-will among the nations of the earth.”
Mr. Cooper concluded with a toast to “The health and happiness of our Moses, Mr. Cyrus W. Field.”
The Common Council of New York passed these resolutions on the 8th of October:
“Whereas, The recent arrival at his home in this city of Cyrus W. Field, Esq., seems peculiarly appropriate for testifying to him the gratification felt by the authorities and people of the city of New York at the success attending his unexampled perseverance in the face of almost insuperable difficulties, and his fortitude and faith in the successful termination of the herculean labor to which he has devoted his rare business capacity, his indomitable will, and his undaunted courage for a series of years—that of uniting the two hemispheres by telegraphy;
“Resolved, That the municipal authorities of the city of New York, for themselves and speaking in behalf of their constituents, the people, do hereby cordially tender their congratulations to Cyrus W. Field, Esq., on the successful consummation of the work of uniting the two hemispheres by electric telegraph—a work to which he has devoted himself for many years, and to whom, under Divine Providence, the world is indebted for this great triumph of skill, perseverance, and energy over the seemingly insurmountable difficulties that were encountered in the progress of the work; and we beg to assure him that we hope that the benefits and advantages thus secured to the people of the two nations directly united may be shared by him to an extent commensurate with the energy and ability that have characterized his connection with the undertaking.
“Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution be properly engrossed, duly authenticated, and presented to Cyrus W. Field, Esq., as a slight evidence of the appreciation by the people of this city of the service he has rendered in uniting the old and new worlds in the electric bands of fraternity and peace.”
The invitation to a banquet to be given by the New York Chamber of Commerce is dated October 15th, and in it “the members request that they may hear from your lips the story of this great undertaking;” and the evening of November 15th was the one chosen.
The toast to which he replied was:
“Cyrus W. Field, the projector and mainspring of the Atlantic telegraph: while the British government justly honors those who have taken part with him in this great work of the age, his fame belongs to us, and will be cherished and guarded by his countrymen.”