Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-09-24

anu stAftth AhN 1tf@tN DA''N'
.rge private establishment, which not
My conferred advantages upon the con-
lunity greater than the State institution,
pon which it was founded, but, while theI
,ublic credit was shaken, ane the govern
nent finances were exhausted by war,
he Girard Bank could command large :"
Of loan, aud putitsell in the .
position Of the principal creditor Of the .
In 1914, Girard subscribed the ="
whole Of a large government loan from
patriotic motives. and in 1917 he contrib
uted, by his mistaken credit aud undl-
minished funds, TO bring about the re-
sumption Of specie payments. In 1881,
operations were so extensive that when
the country was placed in extreme en-
barrassment from tho scarcity OF money
by reason Of the balance Of trade being
against it, he was enabled, by single
transaction with an eminent English firm,
to turn the exchanges and cause specie to
flow into the United States.
Stephen Girard began his remarkable
trading career with one object, which he
steadily kept in view all bis long life
the making of money for the power il
conferred. He was content, at starting,
with the small profits Of the retail trader,
willing 10 labor in any capacity to make
these profits secure. lie practiced the
most rigid personal economy; he resisted
all the allurements Of pleasure; he ex-
acted the last farthing that was due him !;
and he paid the last farihing that he owed.
. He took every advantage the law allowed
him in resisting a claim; he used men
+ just so far as they would accomplish his
] purpose; he paid his servants no more
S than market price when a faithful cash.
c ier died, he exhibited the utmost indilicr.
;. ence, making no provision for his family
5 and uttered no sentiment Of regret fol
: his loss. He would higgle for penny
!, with huckster in the streets; he woult
e deny the watchman at his banks the Gus
y tomary Christmas present of a grea
u coat. To add to his singular and def
cient character, he was deaf in one ear
d could speak only broken English, neye
d conversed upon anything but business
Is and wore the same old coat five years to
: gether. An old rickety chair, remarka
- bic for its age, and marked with the ini
n tials :" S. G." drawn by faded horse
l. was used when he rode about tue city
+ He had no sense of hospitality no frien
ir to share his house or bis table lie wa
,r deierential in appearance 10 rank or fam
y lily; violent and passionate, only to on
s. Ean-an old and faithful clerk name
b. Robergot. His theological opinions @er
1t heterodox IN the extreme, and be love
it to name his noble ships after Vollair
II and Rosseau. He was devoted to th
le Improvement Of his adopted city an
be- country; he was determined followe
in Of osteniatious charity. No man eve
h applied to bin for a large public grant /
a. vain, while the starving beggar was inys
ut riably sent from his gate. lie stea1il
W rose every morning before the lark. an
he uneeasing labor was the daily worship ,
" his life.
he Thus he attained his eighty
re year In 1880 he had nearly lost tn
le sight Of his one eye, and used to be see
= cropping about his bank, disregardiBg e,
IL cry offer Of assistance. Crossing one
Il the Philadelphia roads, be was knocke
st down by a passing wagon, bis face va
ia bruised, ard his right ear was nearly c.
ed of. His one eye. which before opcne
ks slightly, was now entirely closed he gra'
ne ually wasted away and bis health decline
sk On the tweuty-sixih Of December, So
III phen Girard expired ia back room, 6
r. the third floor Of bis house, in Wat,
L. street, Philadelphia, leaving the bulk
NJ his large fortune, upwards Of q miliia
q. sterling, 10 found charities. and 10 beuei
"a the city and country ia nhieh be acquire
n il.
! He left bic monument. IN the Girai
:. College. that marJle-roofed palace e
- she education aud protection Of the O
- phan children Of the poor. which stand
- the most perfect model Of architecture
=. the Mex World, high aboye the 9th
buildings Of PhiIsdeipbia, visible fro
i. every eminenes Of tie surrounding eoui
a Try. Every detail Of the external af
"A internal arrangement of this Orphan O
!, lege sas set forln clearly and carefully
=. biz viii showing thai the deaiga ups
which be lad iayiahed the mass Of 3
\. aealib aas oet the hastily developed f4
I. ey Of q few hoars or days, bui vas q
"a heart-ehsfisl4ed, silent projeci of bis who
life.