New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-10-31
Nr. Barnum Mt Home.

" to refute the charges of illiberaty and lack of
charity which some OF our City papers have seen
fit to prefer against Mr. Barnum. But while We
copy these articles, we protest against the prece
dent which they seem to establish and counte-
nance If any wealthy Or prosperous man betrays
unwillingness to be taxed for great public objects
If he refuses or hangs back when asked to pay
his fixed quota with other propertyholders for the
susteuance OF the Destitute, the Education of all
Children &c &c. let him be admonished. But
Aims giving OF voluntary contribution for public
ends is quite another matter; and any ones
giving or not giving is strictly his own business
unless he chooses to make it that of the public
also Charity will lose all its grace in losing its
spontaneity. II a man Is to give because Tom,
Dick and Harry (who cannot possibly know how
various and how heavy are the demands upon HIM
say he ought to, what merit in his giving! what
benevolence in his aims DO we not now see the
friends of one candidate for Governor boasting
that said candidate gave freely for the relief OF
Ireland during the Famine and asking how much
the other gave Should not decent sense of
what Charity truly is forbid any answer
Still, as some friend Of Mr. Barnum has seen
fit to reply to the calumnies of his assailants we
copy their statements, though we trust the exam
Die set in making them will not be followed:
BAREuA AT HOME,
! To the Editor Of the Farmer:
Mr. EDITOR: | have been not little surprised
at the recent attempts of certain editors, partcu-
larlv of Bennett, Of the Nec- York Herald, to hx
the charge OF paraimonousness upon F. T. Barnum Such
charge as you remark you'd not here be Ell @ ios
acquainted with Mr. B. that he is liberal and generous 10
fault True. he gives without ostentaon and breads,
above all things seeing his name paraded on popular SUD-
ecripon lists vet he gives literally freely and often. Be
side the $500 which he and Mr. Sratford gave the Ladies'
Benevolent Society the S00 the Library Association the
500 to the Agricultural Society and $4,000 the rei
gious society whose church destroyed by fire. he has
my knowledge given $40 TO another church society IN
this city $50 another, and smaller to another
He has also given $50 10 of the Odd Fellows Lodges
in this city, and like to the Lodge III Danbuty his ma
tive also $50 OF the Fire Companies OF ms
city, $50 to the Eagle Guard Company, and within the last
Two months $4,000 toward the erection of College Down
East" At the time of subscribing it suggested that
$1,000 would Proessorshp bearing his name, to
wnih Mr. promptly replied that fact alone is sufficient
to dee- from giving $4,000"
Having been poor himself Mr. has of late years
given helping hand and encouraged, by his example and
counsel and funds, the enterprsns and Industrious
More than two young men have recently, TO my
amounts enable them commence business and many
who comfortably situated III business trace their
commencement te the aid and encouragement OF MI
His relatives who needed his assistance, and who
did not, have been extensive recipients OF his bounty.
Some have been started in business by him placed
upo farms purchased bv his funds at the West; some fur
nshed with outfits California; received liberal do
nations in money! and others, especially several female
relatives. receive from him annually fixed sipends, and
their renances forwarded 10 them by his agent quar-
tery with much regularity as if ii were the interest OF
money which they had invested in mortgages or stocks
Many OF his old acquantances in his native town. as well rs
Others in this State receive from him. accommodation,
loans per the very moment he refusing to loan
on good security in NewYork l. During the first few
years Of his prosperity before bitter experience had taught
him better he loaned large orends without security,
and in a single year he lost $4,000 in this way.
The poor have not been forgotten nor neglected by him.
The widow and the aterless call on him continually and
their calls in vain From many hitherto poverty
Heavens blessing on Mr. B. for his benevoence in their
hour OF need H house constantly visited by the needy
for Mrs Barnun is equally charitable as her husband aud
allows the poor to go empty away In fact Mr.. B.
proverbia for his munfcence Not the people Of
sect country have his donations been confined but the
poor the SICK the stranger in exile far from the land of s
birth have often been aided from his pockets.
OF course relieve every in want nor is it
expected OF him but the public may rest assured that Mr.
Barnum dfuees large amount of his income throughout
the lund in private objects of benevoence those who
have travelled with him testify. have just heard from
good authority, and assured that the fact can be estab
given Boston, by Miss Jenny Lind, Barnum paid the
entire expenses amounting to several thousand dollars
by Jenny Lind for charities This fact he has kept from the
world Notwithstanding the editorial cry for him 10 give
I But il is fact nevertheless.
He gives constan, employment many mechanics aud
laborng men, at his villa and in the vicinity, and in his
principal purchases lie gives preference so fur as pacca
BE, TO the merchants and traders of Bridgeport
TIE gates his beautiful grounds constantly open to
the enjoyment Of his elow-citzens and The public and
while ne of, delivering temperance lectures and endeay
oring TO benefit his felloWbengs, they are uxuriang IN
those grounds beaped sustained by his munficence
IL in all his Donations Mr. B. has had any political object
but ON ihe s Contrary he a Invariably objected political
preermen Two years SINCE onheing importuned to be
candidate member OF Congress- he wrote to his political
friends declining their offer follows: have no political
aspirations. and sincerely hope never shall have AS
feel at present. earthly consideration would induce me
to accept Office al the hands of the people
do not pretend very long intimate acquaintance
with MI Bamum bnt apprehend enough has been said 70
faults ind with any show Of justice be attributed to
him. II into his composition forms no Pdyt
ofhs character With these facts before them ASK will
BpGm 9dpc c f Sr hun p1i BmRGqp9GHEPoRrER
ANOTHER GREAT FLOWING MATcH-SEcosD
DoNAT1oN.-It is with pleasure that we lay be-
fore our readers the following copy Of letter from
Mr. Barnum Treasurer of The Fairfield County AgrI-
cultural Society The late Flowing Match as our readers
are all aware made Of the greatest and best that
ever took place in this by the 500 Donation for pre-
miums by Mr.. BBrnum The next match, we doubt not,
will equal it does not surpass, any thing OF the kind
took place in the United States we may add
thai intention of the members OF the Society to make
the Fair in all respects attractive and interest
ing than Alrersons nteestedn Agriculure, Manu-
features and Arts, hoped will unite with them in their
endeavors bring talent and industry of the
Iry I'd. Farmer.
IRVING HOUSE, New-York Oct 2i 1850.
To the Treasurer Of The Fadsd County agricultural So
ctetyt
DEAR SRI am hqhy graufed with the assurance that
the late Flowing Malch was go highly satisfactory ana ta
the interest much augmented among Inc TRENDS VI
Agriculture by Extra Premiums offered on the OCCASION
Believing that he of our Farmers may be Sill
further promoted b. presenting them with incentives TO
earnest and honorable competition. and that an curly an
nouncement Of additional premiums Will be the means OF
bringing competitors into he field lncose you SZO
which wish the society divide into such premiums as II
may think udcious Tor the Flowing Match OF lsol
| Iwoud suggest that The highest premium open to com
petitos from all paris be fixed $50 that 500 be su6di-
vded into SIX premiums and that so be added 10
the Premiums given by the Society competitors residing
in Fairfield County This is, however, offered merely as
suggestion prefer leave II al TO the dgnent OF tose
who understand the matter better than myself and can give
il proper attention Very respectfully yours,
. P. T. BARNUM.
SXnrd IN tha {VEsa