The New York herald., 1869-03-31

campaigns Of the ptloponnesIan war the river Ce.
phisus was turned from It's channel, and that It's
bed shono feplendent with gold and precious stones
Silently and long this river had pursued It's course
popc dreaming Of its stores OF hidden wealth. Mr..
a. T. Stewart tho great merchant prince OF New
York, and. for that matter, the great merchant
prince Of the world, In the recent development OF
phases Of individual character OF which the public
knew Eothing and dreamed less, presents parallel
TO this olden stream OF that ancient home OF the
arts and poetry and oratory, where Demosthenes
dwelt, and Homer and Anacreon lived and ssburnlng
6appho loved and sung" Sedulously and long he had
pursued his course as merchant. Tho world, which
knew him not, judged him stern and exacting. The
wealth of charity underlying his nature lay deep
and hidden like the precious gems OF that Grecian
river, famed in classic story as Marathon or sea-
born Salamis or ThermopylH. President Grant, In
the appointment OF Mr. Stewart to q place in his
Cabinet, brought him conspicuously before the
public. The unexpected turn OF events, growing out
or this appointment revealed to the public the
ecret hidden depths OF his charitable heart. Every
body knows the history Of this brief political episode
in Mr. Stewards career. and how musy old statute
was evoked rom the dusty tones Of dead letter on
sctmens to prevent his entering the duties Of the
bnce. IL 10 unnecessary TO dwell the tumultuous
tide OF political partlsanship setting in suddenly
aud strong against him, ana the final result, when
i, falcon towering in his pride Of place
Was BY mousing owls hawkd At and kin'd,
and the country robbed OF his valuable services as
Secretary OF the Treasury-a position his probity.
Lmanly worth, splendid executive abilities and well
known sound ana comprehensive views regarding
the national finances most eminently dttod him to
NIL With heart stirred with patriotic devotion to his
adopted country-for he had already received all the
honor that could be conferred by the appointment
and he was far above the possibility OF being IN
fuenccd by any mercenary motives-with hope TO
rescue the country from her present financial thra
dom and impart healthful vitality and symmetry
and completeness to our financial system-with this
bright vision OF commingled peace and prosperity
der the new administration and by his own indivd-
nal efforts hoping to aid the fuliment Of this brilliant
promise, and by judicous use Of our boundless re-
sources pay or the national debt. Mr.. Stewart, as
the only way 70 get around this dificuty offered as
- well known, to transfer his business to other
hands and devote the entire income OF 1t to charity
y possblei asked everybody In breathless aston
lshment as they read this announcement from the
hational capital twas possible. He fully intended
60 do so, and would have done So but for the second
thought that by pursuing this course he would be
Violating the spirit OF law. as imperative and bind
ing, notwithstanding 1t had been SO long forgotten
end imperative as any on the statute books. For
ypnate IL were for the country il among the many
Ssprants who ore now pressing their claims In the
general strife for oflicc, II among those who are
making their voices heard in the great exchanges OF
public opinion and who hold our national destinies
In their hands and keeping, there were
lhore like him, moro as loyal, as sefsacrt-
ncing. as true to principle. His offer Of
bis magnificent income to the cause OF charity
was no hotbed growth no special product
of the time being and immediate circumstance but
khe SLOW genuine healihfui growth OF his largo and
liberal heart. II recites story which fall
ooldly on American ears. Unused to the conflicts OF
political ife he turned from the ceaselcss and dis
tasteful jargon Of politicians and came back to the
city-and his vast business, to which he is now az
earnestly devoted as ever. That business has grown
Into gigantic proportions. His down town whole
sale o. an immensely colossal warehouse, filled
with the rarest and costlIest fabrics from every
quarter OF the globe. To merchants from ali sections
6f the country many tens OF thousands Of dollars
worth OF goods are daily sold nom this establish
mcnt, besides large quantities In bond. His impor
cations arc immense All the ships Of the Spanish
Armada would not supply hls demand. His new
retail store, with It's OF floors and millions Of
dollars worth OF the finest and richest goods sur
passes anything OF the kind IN the world. There Is
nothing anywhere even approximating to 1t in ex
tent and magnilcence. II Is miracle OF beauty,
completeness and elegant finish. continuous lood
OF golden light streaming through tho expansive
skylght gives the clearness OF midday to the spa
CIous hollow square extending from the first 20 the
top noor, while the multitudinous outer
windows impart the same vivid brightness
TO all the interior recssses Of the extended
building. Looking from one OF the balustrades en-
comprising the hollow square, and at all hours Of the
day, the scene presented OF commngling throngs OF
shopping ladies' and busy clerks Is as grandy anl.
,ys,D A., f,Aa .aI, Id
everywhere systematic perfectness Of order and
despatch There Is one eye that gees everything,
q head that plans, power that directs, an iron Will
that controls. To the majority OF persons knowing
Alexander 7. Stewart by sight-and even this num-
ber Is comparatively few-hc Is simply very gen.
tlemanly looking man, plainly dressed, without the
vcstige even OF an ornament; rather slight In
figure, light brown hair, blue eyes, light full beard
without musiache, and regular features. The DELI
cate clearncss OF his complexion, the nrm moulding
OF his mouth and chin aud the pleasant expression
of his calm clear eyes arc unnoticcd by superficial
observers Th,ugh slight, he is extremely wen
frank, open and unwrinkled brow. his complexion
GLOWING with the ruddy hue OF health, and hts per-
fcctIy erect figure. HIS hands are white and deli
cate, his feet small, his voice low and Ills manners
pleasant, yet dignifcd and polished. HIS own
clerke. who have socn him aaiiy lot Years
ihan the vericst strangers They have seen sIm
Acnly Al Others saw him. they have judged aim only
ns others judRcA him--a man devofcd TO business
and money making; man decisive, pereinptory;
perfect martinez IL rs true .st as regards his ON
ployes hc conducts his business ON principles OF
strict military discipline. and with the thousands In
his employ he could not do otherwise; but II u rc
served for those who know him intimately 10 penc-
tratD his noble warm and magnanilnous heart.
"You have been In my employ nitcen years, but
have been grossly negcctful OF an important trust"
lie said 10 Que he had discharged.
'Itshall not happen again" pleaded the discharged
empioyc.
Il shall not allow It to happen again." answered
Mr.. Stewart.
III beg you for the sake OF my wife and children to
take me back,n snll further urged tue discharged
.employc "wil you not do it2'
.iNo, sir,n answered Mr. stewart; "you have vio-
lated rule OF my establishment. You have ncy-
tcctcd duty. forgive Mistakes but never over
look neglect"
"But---r interrupted the discharged cmploye.
"lutp continued Mr.. Stewart, 'for your past
years OF faithful service shall continue your
salary. There go.n
Thc man went, but his salary has been paid him
ever SINCE and there are others who beng paid