The daily gazette., 1881-02-15
From the N. Y. Star, Feb. 13.
PETER COOPER'S BIRTHDAY,
HALE, HEARTY AND HAPPY AT FOUR
SCORE YEARS AND TEN.

tnroplst at his home, and in the evening
by large gathering in the Cooper Uni IN
The large hall was thronged. The Rev
j. L. Singleton of Baltimore had been
engaged In the regular Saturday evening
lecture course, and he took for bis sub
ject, "Peter Cooper" The lecturer was
introduced by DIR. Raymond, who said
that Peter Cooper's was life of noble
ambition, of unselfish beneyolence, of
Hhdaunted courage, of indomitable per-
severance, and OF sweet and beautiful
charity. That life was prolonged far
beyond the life of ordinary men. 1t
was life sure to bless mankind, and
to be blessed by almighty God.
The Rev. Mr.. Singleton said that he
had not consulted the trustees on the
subject, nor did he intend to give de-
tailed account of Mr.. Cooper's life, AL
he proposed to do was TO use Mr..
Cooper's life as an indication of what
might be done by one noble man. Mr..
Cooper's life illustrated two points
how to construct character and how
to accomplish work. He was the best
exampleof an American workingman.
HIS father named hum Peter, thinking
that he would some day be great. His
name, indeed, suggested Peter the
Great. [Applause.] Mr.. Cooper's
life was a model, for he began Ly
manual labor. His example Of using
the leisure hours of his apprenticeship
Ter self-improvement was such as
should be followed by all workingmen.
IL was always a critical time for a
xrnrk IN IL r
ceased. They should remember that
an idle brain was the DEVILS workshop.
MIR. Cooper had shown his independ-
ence by declining the proposal of his
employer to set him up in business.
de had made his first capital by say
ings from the earnings of manual labor.
and he had invested i. to relieve his
father from the burden of debt. That
was the beginning of Peter Cooper's
muniflcence.
The lecturer gave details OF Mr.,
Cooper's extensive operations In the iron
business at Canton and Baltimore, and
showed how Mr. Cooper had effected by
new methods revolution in the iron
trade Of the world. lie said that the first
Monitor that went TO the rescue of the
national vessels in Hampton Roads, and
which repelled the ironclad Merrimac.
was iron plated at Nr. Cooper's Canton
foundry. The Lecturer next told the
story Of Mr.. Ccoper's achievement In
building the first successful locomotive
tor the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, in
which was The first tubler boiler built in
this country. Mr.. Cooper made the tubes
out OF old gun barrels. Then was men
TONED Mr.. Cooper's success in the pro-
ject of laying the first Atlantic cable for |
which he furnished large part of the |
capital. The speaker also reviewed the |
effect of Mr.. Cooper's work In building |
up the city OF Baltimore, and told how.
on the 1b0Lh anniversary, recently cele-
brated, the municipal authorities sent a |
special car to New York for Mr.. Cooper |
and gave him place Of honor in their |
procession.
The Rev. Mr.. Singleton paid an earn
est tribute to the double-handed philan- |
thropy of Mr.. Cooper in founding the
Cooper Union and endowing 1t at a cost |
OF 81, 100000. In that Union was soly.
ed the great problem of capital and la
Dor. Wealth could there learn the les
son that its duty was not done by Justice
alone, but that sympathy, humanity.
and beneyolence must follow in their |
train. Speaking of Mr. Cooper's won-
dertul inventive genious, reference was
made 10 the fact that he at once invent
ed self acting musical rocking cradle.
[Laughler.l In this respect Mr.. Cooper
resembled the famous engineer George
who improvised q connect
ing rod that turned the spit and rocked
.he cradle, 80 that his wife rested and
GeoTge took his supper in peace. AIR.
Cooper showed In his achievements of
character and work that God helps the
nan who helps himself He had demon
Itrated that strength comes with labor,
hat knowledge comes with investiga.
ion, that wisdom comes with experience
with conflict, success with
oil, coronation with sacrifice. Ckarac-
er is a growth; life is an edifice. One
must have root, the oiher foundation.
rhe ninety years of irreproachable life
i Peter Cooper had testified 10 his puri-
y of motive and action. His noble be-
evolence was the result of the primary
Avs of righteousness as stated in the
ord of God and typlied in the life of
'hrist.
There were present at the dinner par
= given at Peter Cooper's home In the
veniDg the members of his famIly-in-
ludIng his son, the ex- Mayor, und the
Ion A BRAN s. Hewitt-and the follow
lR guests: Gen. Rober Patterson, Phil !
delphia; Hamilton Fish, II. NJ. Scbief.
sin, ,.Dr. Norvin Green, Major j. S.
'ryce, Thurlow Weed, Judge j. r.
rady, Geo. w. Childs, Philadelphia,
le Rev. Howard Crosby, Chiet Justice
'aIy, Jackson 3. Shultz, DIR. Weiss, the
ev. DR.. Bellows, Parker Goodwin,
Fm. e. Dodge, Samuel b. Ruggles,
o obect. l.. Stuart, +. +. Marbury, Will r
IN G. Hunt, John e. Parsons and :
ohm Jay. Among those who were ia
ted and prevented from attending by
ok ness of engagements were ex-Gov,
lmnel j. Tllden, John II. B Latrobe,
1 ed de Peyster, DIR. T. Marion Sims,
I'D the Rev. Robert Colyer. The fols
wing Is among the letters Of regret
at were sent:
10 GRAMERoY PARK, n. Y, Feb. IL. IL
DBAR Mr.. PETER CooPER:-1 con- =
atulate you on the marvellous health 1
I'd strength with which you enter upon
lother year, at your age. and are able
continue your works of benefaction
nong the posterIty of the generation Il
Ith whom yon passed an ordinary life OF
ne of usefulness ami honor. bl
Although | cannot dine with the CON- IL
my of friends who assemble Tonight, u
1ln with them In the highest appreoi- o,
ion of your character, aud In the best ., .,
shes for your continued life, health
ID happiness. Very truly yours, OK
s. j. TILDEN. Q