New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-08-21
WEALTHY IND Use.


II is customary to take it for granted in our
hasty generalizatons that the process of acquir-
ing an immense fortune has always n harden
ing effect upon the human heart, and a clench-
ing influence upon the human hand; and gilded
niggards are never wanting as examples within
almost every mans personal observation, when
this view of pecuniary acquisition Is asserted
and maintained. 1t would be easy, however,
to show that, ever since the idea of property
has been recognized and respected, there have
been continual instances of munificent geneTOs-
ity, and that it is to the voluntary bounty of
the opulent that society owes many, not only
of its useful but of its ornamental institutions.
Even those texts of Scripture which poor men
find a cheap consolation in adducng against
the rich, seem rather TO point to the
dangers of acquisition than to the perils
of possession and they evidently lose
no little of their force and pertinency when
we find the pOssessOr of millions founding col
leges, building hospitals establishing libraries,
or in other ways seeking to promote the hap
pincss assist the progress, and mitigate the
misfOrtunes of mankind. We are instructed
and this is n distinction which it is important
to keep in view-not that money, but that the
lore of money, is 1.-THE root of all evil" On
the other hand, money in itself is proof of
mans capacity and intelligence, and may be
made the servant of his most benevolent aspi-
rations. The value of individual generosity
will he appreciated when we remember that
there is hardly college either IN England OF
in America which does not owe its efficiency, so
far rs money could promote it, to the requests
of the dead or to the bounty of the living. But
it is easy to see that the doRatio cduSa morris is
passing out of repute. There is no surer sign of
the advancement of just and creditable opin-
ions, and of greater activity of philosophical
ideas concerning the true use of riches, than
the facility with which, in their lifetime, cap
italists now bestow sums which in themselves
are fortunes, in aid Of benevolent enterprises
and of schemes for the promotion and diffusion
of knowledge. The miserable histories in the
law-books of litigation in which great sums
have been worse than wasted, and the most
shameful passions of human nature aroused to
intensity human unhappiness, have warned the
generous minded to bestow their gifts in time,
and to take such order in regard to their ben
efactOns that the disbursement of their bounty
may go on, so far as they choose to have it so,
under their own supervision Experience has
shown that this is the only course which
is reasonably economical and absolutely safe.
The donor has the satisfaction of watching the
progress of his honorable investment, and the
privilege, should doubts arise. of explaining
his own intentions. 1t is in this way that one
of the evils connected with money may be in
measure avoided; for it is too often ex-
ecutors, administrators, and trustees, who "fal
" into temptation and a snare, and into many
foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men
in destruction and perditon' Nor is the
consummation Of its good wishes Il pleasure
which the benevolent heart need deny itself
To give with the living hand is to give with
the least possible alloy of sclfshness. 1t would
ha,l'y !, d s.a to envy die enjoyment OF Nj.