New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-05
PETER COOPER.

It is hard to realize that Peter Cooper has
passed away. We had grown almost to count
the kindly old man among the lmmortals, ana
to believe that the gentle Indian sum
mer of his life might remain for years yet Il
purifying influence in the midst OF a city
feverisb with business cares. His temperate
and well ordered life has lasted far beyond
the ordinary span of man, until Nature reuc-
family claims her memorable rights, and we
must add his name TO the roll upon which
the last few months have already written
TAYLOR, Draper, Weed, Dodge and Morgan.
His was the career OF representative
American citizen i'll the best sense oil the
words He entered active life at n time when
the energies OF men were occupied IN begin
ming the material development OF the country
Upon this work he entered poor and depend
ent. equipped with versatility of powers, with
honorable shrewdness and an indomiable
Dcr;istence. His natural mechanical genius
found scope in inventions which embodied
ideas far in advance of his time. The record
of his numerous business undertakings which
we present on another page Is one OF cease
less industry and fidelity to every trust.
Whatever he turned his hand TO, whether
il was making cloth, machines, maDuiactur-
ing glue, or smelling iron ore, was done IN the
best way that he could command. Nor were
his energies confined to business alone. He
found time for self education while the bcnev-
client tendencies, which took such splendid
shane at a later date, manifested themselves
continually in efforts to do good to others.
United to these traits was ar-sightcdness
TO which he owes his place as the father OF
American railroads and the sponsor OF the first
Atlantic cable.
In all this there are lessons to be COM
mendcd to every one among us. Yet hun
dreds of men have worked their way up by
like honorable methods to equal affnence,
and dying have been forgotten. 1t will not
be so with Peter Cooper. When his life and
that of the country entered upon
second stage Of growing wealth
and comparative leisure, in which
material enterprise began to yield TO
thoughts of education and culture, Peter
Cooper met this increasing need with the lnsti-
tute which will transmit his name to posterty.
No more valuable and wisely considered offer
ing has been made to Art and Science in this
country no more royal gift has ever been be-
slowed upon the people by private citizen.
we Dccu mOTc ClllZcUS VI tiio otiHp' ih'""
of orr wealthy men who desire fame may
| learn by the example of Peter Cooper how
best TO obtain it. Horace Greeley wished to be
remembered as the founder OF THE NEW
| YORK TRIBUNE; Peter Cooper will be known
| to future generations as the wise and generous
| founder of the Cooper Union.
| His numberess private charities the over
| flowing goodness Of heart which irradated all
about him, and his sunny and fOrbearing phil
osophy of life, made him the most loved and
venerated citizen of the metropolis. His
political and financial views we have
| held to be erroneous, yet many OF his
peculiar beliefs have seemed due to his
unbounded charity and good will. AS no
man can point to an unjust transaction IN
Peter Cooper's business life, so none, whatever
controversy has arisen, has ever found reason
to assail him in a spirit of bitterness. His
homely, sturdy, upright life is model OF
virtues unfortunately foreign to too many OF
our younger generation, while his work as
q philanthropist stands waiting emulation.
The city has exhibited the outward marks
of mourning, public eulOgies will be paid to
him here and elsewhere, our most distinguished
citizens will unite to deplore his loss, yet
there will be no sincerer mOurners than the
thousands, unknown though they may be, who
owe to Peter Cooper their education, succor