The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-21
GIRARp. THE MONEY MAKER.

A recent number of the Household Words contains a
sketch Of Stephen GiaId 1t is not correct ia all particu
lars and yet mbodiss many interesting facts Ia the his
tory Of the celebrated banker After giving the leading
eynt in tine early life vi Girard tho writer proceeds
follows
bordeaux purchased tho banking promises Of the old
Rank OF tho United States (whose charter not
sd and started the Grard Bank, large private estb-
isbmeut which not only conferred advantages the
community greater than the State institution upon which
n was founded but while the public credit shaken,
the government finances were exhausted oy war the I'll
u,rd Bank could command large subscriptions Of loan,
and put itself In the position Of the principal creditor OF
the country In 1914 Gald subscribed the whole Of
large government loan from patriotic motives, and In
1917 he contributed by his unshaken crcct and undimn
bed funds to bring about the resumption OF specie pay
ments In 1881 his operations were 80 extensive that
when the country placed in extreme embarrassment
from the scarcity OF money, by reason Of the balance OF
trade being against it, he enabled by single trans
action with an eminent English firm, to tun the cx-
changes and cause specie to flow into the States.
TO add 10 his singular and deficient character, he
deaf In one ear could only speak broken English
oonyersed upon anything but business, and wore the
same old coat cut ia the French STYLE for Ave years to-
eether An old ricketty chair remarkable for its age
and marked with the initials s'S G. drawn by faded
horse was used when he rode about tho city He had
no sense of hospitality friend to share his house his
table He dcferentiai in appearance to rank and
family violent and passionate only to man--a old
and faithful clerk, named Roberjot. His theological
opinions were heeroox in the extreme and he loved to
name his splendid vessels after Voltaire and Roussen
He was devoted the Improvement Of his adopted
try anG he determined follower Of ostentatiouS
charity No applied to him for large public
grant in vain while the starving beggar was invariably
sent from hs gate He steadily rose every morning be-
fore the lark and nccasing labor the daily worship
Of his lifo
Stephen Girard began his remarkable trading career
with ono object which he steadily kept in view all his
long life the making Of money for the power It confer
ofcfor xvith thq ifQ
Of the retail trader willing to labor in any capacity to
make these profits He practiscd tho most rigid
personal economy he resisted all the allurements of
pleasure he cxacted the last farthng that due him.
and he paid the last farthng that he owed. He took
every advantage the law allowed him in resisting claim
he used men just far they would accomplish his pur
nose he paid his servants more than the market
price when faithful cashier died he exhibited tho ut
most indifference, making no provisions for his family
and uttering sentiment of regret for his loss. He
would hgge penny with huckster in the street.
he would deny the watchman at his bank the customary
Christmas present of great coat.
Thus he attained his eighty year, In 1880 he
had nearly the sight of his eye and used to be
seen CROPPING about his bank dsegarding every offer Of
assistance Crossing Of the Philadelphia roads, he
knocked down by passing wagon his face was brus
ed, and his right ear was nearly cut Oft His one eye
which before opened slightly, entirely closed
he gradually wasted away and his health declined On
the 26th of December Stephen Grard expired, in the
back the third floor of his house. in Water street
PHILADELPHIA leaving the bulk of his large fortune up
wards Of million sterling, to found charities and to bene
fit the city and the country in which he had acquired it.
He left his monument in the 'Girard College," that
marble rooted palace for the education and protection Of
the orphan children of the poor which stands the most
perfect model Of architecture in the New World, high
above all tho buildings of Philadelphia visible from every
emnence of the surrounding country. Every detail Of
the external and internal arrangement of this orphan col
lege set forth clearly and carefully In his will show
ing that the design upon which he had ayshed the
Of his wealth not the hastily developed fancy Of
few hours days, but the heart-chershed, silent
project Of his whole life.