The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-27
THE NEW YORK PRESS.
EDITORIAL OPINIONS OF THE LEADING JOURNALS
Upon CURRENT TOPICs-CoMPGLED EVERY
DAY FOR THE EVENING TELEGRAPH.
The Art of Giving.

The Art OF Giving.
From the Tribune
The present is denounced by great many
philosophers, and not a few poets, as grossly
material age, joined to the idols Of the Ex-
change, and given up to making money. There
is in this certain truth which is by no means
a discouraging one. War no longer being the
main business of mankind and the safety
valve of superhuous human energy, produc-
ton and commerce have taken its place. to
the great disgust of the manufacturers of
verses. There is an end, say they of high
aim and generous purposes and the world
has grown altogether selfish and sordid. We
cannot help thinking that it will do these
grumblers good to read the newspapers.
What is mere military fame unconnected with
patriotism worth when compared with the
reputation which Mr.. George Peabody, plain
merchant, has established for centuries
simply by giving away his money judi
ciously? Admitting the occasional value
of war Mr.. Peabody does that kindly
and gracefully which the Wellingtons
and Bonapartes did cruelty and coarsely.
With our little knowledge of history, we do
not remember period with such power, and
we may say passion, for giving as the present.
OuI GudIlly, JOO, IL lluSJ Db Ibll6luDbI6u, ID
tolerably Independent of ecclesiastical stimu-
lus. Dying men now give, it is true, to reli-
giOn, but they do not think that they will be
damned for not giving; nor does the Church
get all, and other proper objects of liberality
comparatively nothing. Alms-giving in the
nineteenth century is catholic in the best sense
of the word; and while our wealthy men do
not forget meeting houses and the missionaries,
they remember the value of convenient teue-
hpc,,ito1. baths Ebrorias mia cro1
lelies, and universities for teaching something
besides theology. There is an established habit
of giving. The Opulent are expected to
bestow, and capitalists, living or dying, to
found something.
When a rich man-rich enough we mean, to
be notable-is gathered to his fathers, the
world sure that it is coming in for legacy
opens its ears to hear the will read, and the
reporters go up to the probate Office to take
notes and to publish them 1t is to the credit
of human nature, it is the sufficient refutation
of the RochefOucauds and the Swifts it is a
proof that the old parsimony of the drama is
no longer common, when we find a custom of
benevOence established, and tacit admission
on the part of Crusus that he holds his gold
in trust for his fellow-creatures.
But the most lavish generosity is nothing,
except by accident, unless wisely directed.
He who founds a hospital for cats must look
to the cats for gratitude. 1t is the crOwning
glory of our modern charity that it walks hand
in hand with science and letters, and seeks
nothing so fervently as to make men wiser,
and happier, and better.
There are many things in themselves ex-
tremely desirable which must be hopelessly
ont Of the reach of the poor, however indus
trious and virtuous, unless the wealthy make
them accessible; and among these we NAV
reckonbboOks in large collections, museums
of art and science, picture galleries, and parks.
When a rich man recognizes the value of
these, we may be sure that cent per cent has
not altogether hardened his heart nor OBJ
scured his brain. If some of these tbinps are
not according to his tastes and habits, he sub
mts to be advised, valves his own preiudices,
and defers to the Judgment of those who NAV be
more enlightened than himself. Such conces-
sion (Which we suppose Mr.. Girard and Mr.
Astor both made) to the higher opinions of
mankind proves that Oney-getting and
money-hOarding are nOtincompatiblew with gene
rous emotions and elevated views. The real,
genuine, traditional old hunks is going out of
fashion, and we trust in fifty years more will
become as extinct as the mastodons and the
megatheriumis. For this, in America, at
least, we are indebted to the abolition of the
laws of primogenture and entail and to the
delightful impossibility which here exists of
founding a family. This wise feature of our
legislation has made the rich man what he
Ou8nJ 10 De-Ine servant, Lne DenelacCOr, Jn6
Good Samaritan of society. He tolls for the
power and the pleasure of making a will
which shall diffuse happiness, increase social
comfort and promote the morals and the
manners of his race. If he can do this he may
consider himself eminently favored of fortune.
There are many poor men to whom the gods
have not given the gift of gathering, who are
impatient only of their material mediocrity
when they keenly feel how much it lessons
their power of doing good. To these, however,
is left the rich consolation of that blessing
which is bestowed upon those who "do what
they can"
1t is, as we have said fashion now to be
benevolent. When the historian of these days
in which we live shall record our successes
and our shortcomings, what we did and what
we left undone, he will be forced by his very
materials to recognize the liberality and the
charity which are characteristics of our age;
and, if he finds no individual distinguished
and prominent, like Howard, ClarksOn, Will
berforce, Or Elizabeth Fry, it will be because
the law Of kindness has touched so many
hearts, and wise benevolence has opened SC
many purses and so many hands.
Soldiers ON the Situation.
From the Times.