The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1871-07-19
words of wisdom from an Old Man.

Peter Cooper may be called the patriarch of
the city of New York. He was born there, and
has lived there during his whole life, which has
now reached to fourscore years. He has ac-
quired wealth by honest and patient industry,
and has used it for the benefit of his ielow-men.
/ The Cooper Institute Is his monument, which
will perpetuate his name and his virtues to com
ing generations. This great endowment for
science and art is already proving of incalcul-
able benefit to the young mechanics and working
men OF this city, and its benefits are becoming
greater from year to year On his eightieth
birthday, which came few weeks since, Mr..
Cooper added hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars to his former gifts to this institution, in
acknowledgement of which the pupils at the com
mencemeDt just passed presented him an address
as an expression Of their love and gratitude In
reply, Mr. Cooper addressed TO them a few coun-
sells, which deserve to be written in letters of
gold, and inscribed on the walls of the institution
founded by his generosity, there to remain as his
last will and testament" to those that shall
come after him. We quote this model address
in full
My YOUNG FErENDs-IfI needed any reward
for my humble efforts to benefit my leow-men,
the touching language of your address, and this
expression of your affection and gratitude, would
be ample compensation for labors however exact
ing and sacrifices however great. Happily, how
ever, works of benevolence carry with them their
own recompense, even though they do not meet
with the recognition which has fallen to my lot,
and which makes me feel that this occasion is
the GROWING happiness of life which has pass
ed Its eghtieth anniversary. In that long expert
ence have learned lessons which, if l could in-
duce you, my young friends, who have your fu-
ture before you, to lay them to heart, and to
practice in the conduct of life, would greatly les
sen the evils of society and improve the cond-
ton of the land and the time in which we live. |
While yet child learned that the hand of
wealth have achieved has been due primarily, |
to habits Of patient industry formed at the outset
of my career. / soon learned that waste makes |
want and therefore saved what ] earned and |
by taking stitches in time guarded against |
the loss which unavoidably attends upon neglect |
and want of foresight. 1t did not take long for |
me to learn that drunkenness was the parent OF 1
the larger portion of the poverty, vice, and crime
which aiflict the American people; and hence |
until advancing age seemed to demand moderate
stImulants, 1 carefully avoided alcoholic liquors
as the greatest curse of the young, and the most
deadly foe to domestic happiness and the public
welfare. Next, observed that most ofthe ship
wrecks in life we're due to debts hastily contract
ed, and out Of proportion to the means of the
debtor; and hence always avoided debt, and
endeayored to keep some ready money on hand
to avail of a favorable opportunity for its profit
able use. With economy and industry it is easy
to do this in this favored land and in my case
the result has been that. amid all the financial
revulsions through which have passed, no obi
cation of mine has ever been a day in arrear.
Debt is a slavery which every young man ought
to avoid, or if assumed. ought not to endure for
one day beyond the shortest time necessary to set
him free.
Stunning intemperance and debt, and praoti-
sing industry, rigid economy, and self-deuial, it
was easy to be honest, aud to acquire such know
ledge as the opportunities of this city offered in
the days of my youth. But these opportunities
were so limited-there being no free schools by
day. nor any night schools whatever-that /
found it far more difficult to learn what wanted
to know than to be industrious, temperate, and
prudent. Hence decided, if l should prosper
in the acquisition of worldly means to found an
institution to which all young people the work
ing classes who desired to be good citizens and
to rise in life could resort, without money and
without price, in order to acquire that knowledge
of their business and science which in these days
is absolutely indispensable to successful career.
Providence, in accordance with the declaration
that TO faith all things are possible" did bless
ny efforts; and this institution, and these en-
,ouragiug evidences of its value and its fruits,
presented here tonight, is the result of this re-
solution, never lost sight Of during business ca
'eer Of nearly sixty years in which was cheer
ID, comforted, sustained, and encouraged by thdl
reatest of human blessings diligent, wise. in
IustriOus, faithful, and aiiectiOnate wife; and in