New-York tribune., 1875-12-11
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
"a QUIET EXAMPLE"
MR. AsToR's UsE OF wTALIH-A REsPoNsIBnr
NOT FULFILLED,

Mr.. AsToR's USE OF wFALIH-A RESPONSIBILITY
NOT FULFILLED.
TO the EDITOR Of The TrtbUae.
SIR: The editorial article bearing the title
"a Quiet Example" in THE TRIBUNE Of the 9Th inst
must have arrested the attention Of many thoughtful
persons wha, is therein said Of the intrinsic beauty ana
worth Of quiet example richly deserved and must De
heartily approved by all whose approval is desirable
surely our American society. its blood constantly al
fever heat only needs such examples but needs to
have them wisely and orcby commented to ITS invita-
tion The love o display, the passion TO eclipse, life al
high pressure is cOnesSedy one OF the greatest Danes
OF cur time and country. Any exposure rdieule denun
citation OF It's equal folly and wickedness is wholly justin
able and praiseworthy SO far this is concerned lei
the universal voice to every satrist and morast be-
Iav on. MacduT
And dann'd be he who first cIes. hod enough
But does the quiet, unos, ,ntatous enjoyment OF I'm
mense wealth. its permitted and striyen-for increase
after il has become almost ncacuable, aud persistent
ignoring OF its real tac servant OF humanity con
sue tn full OF the mliionaireS dutyt II So
ten wcgl Is an end and means; the chief bcne-
factors OF world Its great thinkers or pian
tropsts but its great msers the n0blest virtues are
economy and thrift gOdliness is great gain; ana the
service Of Piutus Of most commanding authority IL
would seem TO require hut little insight however, TO
recognize that wealth is an implement, just like intel
lectua aby, artistic skill -0c position, or any othei
means o. influence which its pOsSssSor Is bound 10 Nelj
imposes corresponding obligation. Not only does the
obligation correspond in kind but In degree so says
common sense so says the highest personal authority
Unto whom oever much is fiyen Of them shall much
be required" If this be SO. what shall be
sad of the man who inherited for
tune of OOO who died worth from Sj0o000OO TO
100000 COO and who whatever his small priVaIe behc
factions Of which, however htte Is said gave iOf ho
great public purpose more than 100000, but whose
chi.f Object in life TO hay, been 10 gather and
hoard gather and hoard and become the richest Amer
sau citizcn2 Shall it be said Oh, he was a man oi
simple habits scholarly tastes and strict devotion 10
rersonaI duties" and therefore fit example to hold
before the young men Of country And any Dody
eoucedng 10 such one all and than all the virtues
he could rightly claim be disposed TO add But OF 10
luay the Of his character. snail we sneer at
hm as demanding a "Lot, ligh-spiced flavor OF good
ness or as a masculine "Sarey Camp who cannot abear
weak ten ?" II So then lei us not only stop eulog2g
thc Peahodys and COrneS and COOpers and Lcks, who
awe REGARDED their fortunes a sacred trust from
Heaven but set them down fanatics and fools Let
a- say that mans life consiseth in the abundance o
the things which he possesseth" Let find room i'll the
sanity calendar for the CFsuses of the oden and tle
Rothscilds aud Astors of modern times LIT us inter
cede with them that they may mpore Heaven in our
behalf that may lay up treasures ON earth ana DE
eured with 40 poor relations IT, by the general preya
lcnce of such idea schools, our charities our
Churches should largely il not utterly decline and die
what Of thatl Would not wealth be accumulated and
uiet example" be given to the world And would OF
these be enough for sonnet h'
Hartford, Conn., Dec. g. 1875.