Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-04-07
Peter Cooper.

If Peter Cooper, with his remarkable mem
DRY and his keen native intelligence, had
merely lived to tell US what he had seen in
New York the great city grew to its pres.
ent proportions, he would have been a nota-
BILE character. But it is what he did. more
than what he saw, that will shed perennial
luster on his name. In his youth he knew
the blighting and nipping influence of power
ty. He was denied the broadening views and
the eevating impulses that come only from
the better forms of education SO as he
grew to manhood and the busy world around
him was thronged with the inventions that
have made the present age memorable in the
history of the world, he was impressed with
the necessity of providing for the sons and
daughters of the poor that instruction in the
useful arts which he had lacked. Himself
an inventor and mechanician, he deter
mined that so far rs he could provide means
and appliances of education, no Young person
should be hindered in his development for
want of helping hand. As fast as wealth
flowed in upon him, MIR. Cooper used it to
create a school in science and art. He
did not leave his harl-earned riches to
build for himself monument or to form
the nucleus for great fortune for a purse
proud family. During his lifetime he built
memorial whose usefulness will bless his
fellow men long after the men and women OF
this generation are dust. Mr.. Cooper has not
left a great fortune. He was his own execu-
tor. The riches which he gathered by patient
industry were used to build churches, found
schools, foster institutions for the improve
ment of the condition OF men. and. more es-
pecially, to afford instruction to the poor.
Up to n very recent period Mr.. Cooper de-
voted portions of his income to the enlarge
ment and strengthening of the noble institu-
ton that bears his name. The singular
modesty and unselfshness of the man forbade
any advertisement of his deeds. But, when
he gave to the people that magnificent work
he uttered the first and last public explana-
ton of his purpose: Having started in life
with naked hands and an honest purpose,
persevered through long wears of trial and
effort to obtain the means TO erect this bu lid
ing. which is now devoted, with its rents and
revenues. of every name and nature. to the
advancement of science and art"
1t often happens that the acquisition of
large wealth is attended by a certain dwarfng
of moral and mental qualities. The money
getter ueglects (perhaps he must neglect
activities and sympathies that would win to
him more closely his fellow-men. This was
not Peter Cooper's ill-fortune. His aims were
neither petty nor contracted. He entered
with hearty zest into many far-rea ,hing en-
,erprises of pith and moment. He found time
to serve his fellow-citizens in the local gov
eminent, and by the advocacy of what he
considered sound ideas of political economy.
lie was foremost in all movements for the
wider dissemination of knowledge. He was
a delighted and assiduous student of art.
builder of libraries, and friend of struggling
genius; and he had a wise hospitality for
every new invention that promised to benefit
mankind With all these admirable qualities,
he was unseitsh, averse to praise and noto-
riety, and gifted with the single eartedness
and simplicity of child. His kind and low
ing heart is still. The thoughtful brain that
was so fertile in devices for the elevation.
enlightenment, and amelioration of the
condition of his fellow-men has fallen
into rest. But the memory and the
example of Peter Cooper, the practical
philanthropist. the best exponent of a man.
loving, God-fearing, and utilitarisn age,
survive to inspire and bless uunumbered
generations.-Nesr York Times.