The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-06-07

leSteIuay We Wluse oiicA oHu neiA'SS
notice of the late Fletcher Harper, the
news of whose death C .me to US too late
for anything more extended or deliberate.
We do not know that we can add any
thing 20 the hasty and spontaneous trib-
ute which we paid 10 the memory OF
most remarkable men whose ability and
whose rare traits Of character were only
fully realized by those who knew him best
What we said in brief .asnd On the spur of
tie moment, comprehends all that we
could say, with the utmost leisure. Still,
few words mo may be said.
I Il was the nprivilege Of the writer to
have made the acquaintance of Fletcher
Harper over eleven years ago, when he
was full Of strength, vigor and vitality,
and that acquaintance brought about re-
lations always pleasant and steadily grow
ing more Interesting. 1T did not require
much insight TO discover how quietly and
easily Fletcher Harper was guiding the
dessinies Of his house, nor how little dis
posed he was to claim any credit or prom
inence for the creative suggestions OF a
fer lie intellect, nor the secret of the abso-
late confidence which the Brothers" re-
posed in his unassuming wisdom. One
such man in any large business house
would be as soil on che troubled waters"
as regards its internal discussions and
dissensions, no matter how quarrelsome
the other members might be. In house
where there was absolutely no tendency
to controversies, but in which wide differ
ences Of opinion would naturally exist,
the bland temper, the diplomatic tact,
che uDdemonsiratiyc wisdom Of Fletcher
Harper was the constant b armonizing ele-
ment, the positive and formative intellec-
tual force which rendered the success of
the house one not merely financial but in
tellectual and moral. 1t was very largely
due to his genius and character that the
Harpers were not only he most success
full of publishers, but that the vast ma
cbincry of the house was put in'the act
i've service of wise. judicious, patriotic
and Protestant leadership Of public opin-
ion. He was the ieinator Of the Month
" Magazine and Of the Weekly, two pub
LEGATIONS whose influence for good can
scarcely be overestimated He is credit
ed with the origination of the BGsor, but
that, we believe, is due to the son who
bears his name
There are very few who know in what
wars and ho~scs4seles<iy Fletcher Har-
per's creative mind and matchless judg-
ment contributed to the success Of the
periodicals he originated. II is almost
impossible for those who knew him best
TO describe the modest and quiet and In
sinuating manner in which he conveyed
his suggestions to others. Often he would
d, this in such way that tine recipient
Of bis advice would belieye himself to be
its Originator. He seemed to take as
much pains 20 keep in the background as
most men do to trumpet their own acliiete-
ments and suggestions Ono thing was
always certain. that both .sths Brothers'
and ssthe boys"-alI Of the latter being
grsndfathesfn 'tthe Majors" latter days
never thoughtof questiosipg the final
decision Of Fletcher Harper, NO matter
how nodestly eyes. o. whether directly
expressed or infersble. What be hInted
was Law for . house in which there never
were any riyalries or controversies. for
al the rest knew where the Nisdon Of
the house w1s.
Yet with al his gentleness and modes
y. Fletcher Harper coald be frm as3 |
even aggressive, on occasions. There
wers some questions on which he had
very positive opinions. and his views On |
these themes were aluays found stsoagly |
displayed IN the HarpeT publications.
He was : Protestant Of Potestants, ard
hsd ssincere spprelsnsion Of lie grosth |
and purposes Of the Papscy u this cosa-
try. On other sub ects be rs equsIIy n |
earnest, ard oppoaitIon 70 hia opinisns
Only defslape4 ths zadaahsstihs soliditv |
Of his character, which wasso self.pois-
"a and 70 symmetrieai that nost men NJ
derEated IL strength.
OF his Gssnlns, usaAseted Interest IN.
and kiadass6 towards. yeune ~ mo /
esye peou1ss u lisssasy ebiiity and use
fnlIssss. Y y impossibIe e spssk ~
h.ghly. Hi patisnes - esulieAess. Md /
youthful SeshusiaSms, wfih mft1ire6te(1 /
1nbdliens, Was en6icss. = I1eG - ~
ce1.sld v,e.nosfen - hxunenk ra.c1,,ao 49, i