The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-14
OBITUARY.


past twelve O'Clock yesterday morning. he hau
been for some time in a feeble condition owing to
his advanced age.
Mr.. Carey who was tho founder of what has been
justly styled the American system of political
economy. because the hopeful and progressive one.
was born in Philadelphia the 10th Of December.
l79s His father Matthew Carey. one of the
most distinguished citizens OF his adopted city and
State well known an author. philanthropist.
and an early and leading advocate OF the system OF
internal improvements which has added so much
to the wealth and power OF Pennsylvania.
The sons fame has surpassed the fathers.
but will in nowise shut it out from grate-
full memory Mr.. Carey received his practical
education In tho extensive publishing house of his
father, which he entered as partner Immediately
upon coming of age. In 1871 the elder Mr. Carey
retired from the business, and the son associated
with himself another partner, the firm being known
as Carey 4 Lea and carrying on what was for many
years the most extensive publishing business in the
United States BY the admission OF another partner
1t finally became known as the house OF Carey Lea
Carey Mr. Carey in 1924 established the system
OF periodical trade sales. In 1888 hc first appeared
as an author bringing out his earliest work bearing
upon tho science with which his name must con-
Time to be so honorably and indelibly associated.
II was an Essay on the Rate of Wages,
which he afterward expanded into 1.-THE Principles
of Political Economy" in three octave volumes, the
first of which appeared In 1897, the last in 1S40 III
1888 Mr. Carey retired from business, devoting his
time entirely to Investigations into his chosen field
OF science In the same year. and while still en-
gagged on the work above named, he published "The
Credit System in France. Great Britain and the
United States"
lated very speedily after their appearance INTO
almost every European language, and aroused
wide attention. astonishment and excited
discussion abroad The dreary doctrines NJ,
interests of capital and labor in irretrievable
antagonism. and insisted an unavoidable pros
creasng majority of the human family. had gained
ali incomprehensible but almost universal accept
ance in both Europe and America. Fortifying them
selves with these wealthy and tyrannons aristoc-
evaded and resisted the demands OF the null
ttude for political justice and the opportunity for
social progress. 1t comforting to hug to
their hearts the idea that they were III nowise re-
sponsibe for the misery around them Mr.: Carey's
works acted as successive bombshells In the ranks
OF conservatism and Of the adherents OF what
has we'll been termed "the philosophy of despair"
Some were convinced and demorazed.
Thoughtful students Of history of social science,
interested in the welfare and progress OF tho
race, welcomed the apostle of hope. who came
with tine evidence OF such thorough historical in
vestigaon, and with such convincing, dispassonate
logic to carry the battle beyond q doubt against
Nautilus and Ricardo, with whom he took absolute
issue evesy point. Not indeed, with all. in his
earliest works. 1t the work OF years. OF stcad
fast and patient investigation. to arrive at the
clusion that Ricardo's underlying premises-thosc
which upheld the whole OF Mathus' system-were
certainty absolute as that Of the best known
mathematical demonstration. The result of these
Investigations, sustained by cumulative evidence
gathered from every known field Of history. and
which the disciples Of the Ricardan and Malthusian
systems have in eyory instance failed to meet was
Past The Present and tho Future. In 1910, directly
after the completion of his work on the principles
Of Political Economy" Mr. Carey had issued his
Answers TO the Questions, What Constitutes Cur
rency? What are the Causes Of it's Unsteadiness
which he preparing the elaborate work published
in 1S4s he also wrote all OF the loading articles
1850 S Of these coeced De and pub
lshed under the title Of The Harmony of Interests
Agricultural Manuf FAC ana Commercia This
| Copyright" and "The Slave Trade-Domcstic and
Foreign; Why it Exists and How it May be Extin-
| guished." In 1859 Mr.. Carey gave to tho public
another elaborate and important work. 1.-THE Princi
| pies OF Social Science in three volumes. In 1860
and 1865 respectively he issued first and second
'Series of Letters Political Economy putting the
| principles of his system in more popular FORM and
has since contributed to literature number OF minor
works. applying those principles to special topics.
Just after the close OF the rebellion he wrote
stances which gave rise to secession to the
Of British free trade American agricultural inter-
ests In 1873. when just eighty years of age he is
sued another valuable and important work, ''The
Unity OF Law His miscellaneous Works" were col
lected and republished in 1862 In 1875. the Centcn
NAL year. he published in the Philadelphia Press
most valuable series Of letters the financial and
commercial problems agitating the nation.
Mr.. Carey throughout his life o most active
and pubc-spirted citizen. carrying his interest in
the great questions OF human lite and progress into
| practical work in his own community, us well as
setting them forth the printed page for the
| ightenmcnt of mankind. During the of the
rebellion he was. might have been expected from
his previous record, Of the most valuable and
efficient members OF the Union League of his native
city, through the whole OF its well organized and
successful work in support of the national admins
Yet during all the long period of his activity
and prominence as the chief Of tho protective party
and the founder of school Of political economy
| he never held public Office more than This
| was II member OF the Constitutional Convention
publican delegates at large from this city, and in
which he served chairman of the Committee
Industrial Interests and Labor, and y member OF
| the Committee on County, Township and Borough
| Officers.
His position in regard to law of international
copyright excited more surprise and dissent perhaps
| than any other proposition he ever advanced and
advocated. 1t not only untenabe but at abso-
! lutte variance with his general principles, and
to be explained only by the known facts OF tho in
consistency OF thought to which even the most logi-
eating protective policy an absolute essential to
progress and prosperity he yet did so as the neces
sary means to an apparently conflicting end,the
carrying ont OF free trade an ideal State, which.
however, we do not seem likely to see earlier than
the dawn of the millennium.
| Mr.. Carey's residence had long been at No. ,102
Walnut street. His study or library there
spacious room. with high shelves of books on all
subjects, nterspersed with pictures statuary.
| bronzes and antique furniture. Although still a
rapacious reader and interchangeable worker,
after he had become an octogenarian, he found
much leisure for social intercourse. both at home
and elsewhere. AT five o'clock on every Sunday
afternoon, summer and winter. his chosen init
| mates punctually assembled at his residence in
weekly conclave. Among those almost Invariably to
| be found there the late Morton McMchael,
Joseph X. Chandler. General Patterson, William d.
Lewis, John Tucker. William NJ. Tilghman, George
ii. Boxer, Charles J. Stille and John W. Forncy. At
every gathering could be faces-tnose
strangers OF distinction in the city. politicians,
professors. authors, inventors, whose name the
cradle author had seen in the daily papers. and had
invited to be present. Men OF all views to be
met at these neutrality-suspicious. Confederates
| well as sound republicans, free thinkers we'll
IA rot ats nd
during the three hours that they lasted there would
be the liveliest but most good tempered. inter-
change of conflicting opinions. Mr.. Carey was one
| OF the members OF the famous Saturday Night Club
and almost invariably attended its gatherings at tho
houses of the different members in turn.
| In personal presence and demeanor he was tho
perfect prescntment of what is known the gentle