The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-01
Rapid Tssasit.A Chance TOR Our
wealthy Citissns.

Rapid Tssasit-A Chance TOR Our
wealthy Citizens.
Tho question Of rapid transit Is attracting
more and more attention as its solution becomes
more and more imperative. In the past there
was more talk Of methods than of means. Now
build the road, and so at last there il an oppor-
tunity for our wealthy and generous citizens
TO purchase fame as lasting as that of Wash
ington at home and George Peabody at home
and abroad. No reputation can be nobler or
more enduring than that of the man who
gives part of his wealth for the benefit Of
the city in which it has been accumulated. John
Jacob Astor gave greater heritage to his
descendants in the Aston Library than in all
the millions he left them. At the same time
he left splendid monument to his own fame.
Peter Cooper will be long remembered as one
of the noblest benefactors of his race. Cor
ooran will live forever in the annals of the
city of Washington on account OF his gifts to
the District, for there is always o disposition
to honor true worth, especially whom it is
coupled with generous deeds. But progress
in the economies and comforts of life must 60
hand in hand with progress in literature,
science and art in other words, if our
people are to profit fully by such grand
temples as Aston and Cooper have built
for us they must be able to live in comfort
There can be no general enlightenment if we
persist in crowding the masses of our popula-
ton into tenement houses and combining them
to the squalor and filth Of city like New
York Rapid transit more than any thing else
will bring culture into every home, first of all
because it will secure home to every family,
and with this boon secured New York must
become the most virtuous and enlightened, as
it is now the greatest, city on the Continent.
Our leading citizens have done many noble
things in times Of strife or calamity, and we
are persuaded they will not be wanting in
liberality now, if this matter is properly pre-
scented for their consideration. Such men as
A. T. Stewart, Commodore Vanderbilt Robert
Lennon Kennedy, ]. J. Aston and August
Belmont can find no nobler method of serving
the city than by subscribing literally to this
great enterprise. We are not unmindful Of
the gifts they have already conferred upon
their fellow men, but speak now because this
Is the most splendid opportunity that
ever has or ever will come to them.
If our rich men show their iber-
atty now by placing this matter beyond all
further doubt they will build a monument for
themselves which they can obtain in no other
way. When the work is done the State may
honor the donors to this great achievement by
placing their statues at different points along
the line, though the work itself would be q
sufficient monument. More than this, the
people always delight to perpetuate the men,
DRY of men of principle and generosity, and
their names would ever be held in grateful
recollection. 1t is such an opportunity as
seldom comes to the few rich men who have
it in their power to serve the great mass, and
we hope this suggestion will be calmly and
carefully considered and acted upon by those
who have it thus in their power to act. To
Commodore Vanderbilt it is an exceptional
opportunity whereby he may disprove the
theories of his enemies and place mlAion
and half of people under immediate and
lasting obligations to him.
IL al edlnest euoIt OF tu!s KIM IL Waoe we
have no doubt that the money could be OBJ
famed within few days, and that the whole
work can be finished within single year.
Should men Of the stamp we have indi-
Gated take the matter up and resolve TO
carry it forward oil jobbery and in
trigue must fail and opposition to the
completion Of the work prove futile. The
blessings of such an achievement are incalcu-
liable, and nothing is easier Of accomplish
ment, if it is undertaken in the spirit shown
by the venerable Peter Cooper and others in
the grand monuments already conferred upon
city always proud to recognize q noble gen.
crosby.