Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-06
1ailg Nennebrt Aournal.
~ U G U > T A,
Thursday Morning, January 6, 1870.
GEORGE rEABODY's REMAINS.

Chamberlain to receive the remains of
George Peabody when they arrive at the
shore of our State, are properly due to the
character of the great phllanthropist, who
has name for benevolence that rings
around the world. George Peabody was
of New England origin. Early in life he
went to Washington, then to Baltimore,
and in the latter place commenced the
foundation of the fortune which he acquir-
ed His birth and education were of New
England, but the years of manhood spent
in this country were in southern society.
and from southern sources he gathered the
business which gave him mercantile sue
cess. 1t may be that this association with
southern people, who were proverbially
hospitable and generous, Influenced him in
some degree to regret the war on their ac-
count, and perhaps to sympathize with
them as one might who had enjoyed their
confidence and patronage, but there is no
reason to believe that he ever had dis
loyal wish or did disloyal act. or that his
heart ever beat in unison with treason and
rebellion. On the contrary it appears that
Mr. Peabody desired the success of our
government, and manifested his feelings
to those around him by acts that admitted
of no doubt, evincing pleasure at news OF
Union victories, and offering funds and
personal cooperation to carry out such
plans as were deemed advisable by the
friends of the government in England.
Such is the testimony of those who associ-
ated with him at his banking house in Lon
don at that time His company was not
sought by confederate agents nor was his
place of business their resort. He pro-
nounced their bonds worthless and dis
couraged English capitalists from invest
ing in them, and exerted himself to prevent
the reco. milton of the Confederacy by the
British government.
In his philanthropy Mr.. Peabody was
bundled by no sectional or national limits.
To New England he owed his birth, but
his fortune was begun in Baltimore and
chiefly made in England. In the distri-
button of his gifts he remembered the
place of his nativity, and commenced there
those princely donations which made him
famous and respected the world over.
Baltimore received his favors, then Lon
don, and latterly the poor children of the
southern States, black and white. His
views of benevolence We're by no means
contracted to one State OF country. He
saw the opportunity to do good, and gem
erously opened his Golfers in the spirit of
him who relieved the man that went down
from Jericho and fell among thieves and
robbers. If he gave largely to the South
it was because he felt that his benevolence
was needed more there and would accom-
plish more good 1t is said that the do
nation made to the poor children of the
South was intended at an earlier period Tor
the poor of New York city, but after the
war was over and the unfortunate condi-
ton of the young in that desolated region
became manifest to him, he concluded to
bestow his liberality upon them. The
practical and kindly character of the man
is shown in the application of his favors to
the young. Childless and without family
himself, his heart went out in affection to
children. He loved to receive their praises
and benefit them, and considered that the
means which he gave to be applied in
moulding their susceptible minds would
produce far more than if given to those
whose characters were formed. The ova-
tons to him at Danvers and Baltimore by
the children were richly enjoyed. And it
must be borne in mind to his credit that
while most other men who have given
largely to public institutions for benevo-
lent purposes have kept their property until
death stood at the door and they could
keep it no longer, he gave largely in the
vigor of his manhood, before fear of death
could have presented itself to him as an
incentive to donate his possessions.
Governor Chamberlain, then, as the rep
resentatve of the State, does wisely to
show respect to the remains of Mr.. Pea
body as they touch our shore on the way
to the cemetery in his native town. Eng
land has nobly honored him for his broad
benevolcnce. She allowed his body to
rest by the side of her kings, statesmen,
warriors and poets in Westminster Abbey
until the time for embarkation, and now
hei navy is bearing it across the ocean to
its last resting place. For his great chart
ties the world honors him, and America,
his birthplace, the country to which he
gave most freely, where his ashes will lie,
and upon which his character sheds the
highest distinction, should honor him most
of all. No unworthy suspicion or distrust
should prevent us paying due homage to
the nobleness that stands out so conspicu-
ously in his history. The reception will
no doubt be such as will be creditable to
the State and 10 the city in which the cere-
monisl will take place.