St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-27
TAL.K.

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least section of either, invades that indi-
vidual precinct where "vlrtue is its own re-
ward, y and recognizes it in fitting fashions
of its own
In world not materially given to uphold
Ing goodness, it was cheering to know that
some years agone one man felt impelled to
recognize worth in such substantial way as
to do the heart good, and leave the old time
selfish enjoyment of one's own excellence
in the background, empty of consolation and
downright fustian
OF course this palpable reward of virtue
was in France, and the distribution Of prizes
was phaslzed in way characteristic of its
people, with flourish of Academic orators,
the foremost being Alexander Dumas, and
before an immense crowd of the most noted
people In Paris.
The sentiment which crowns gentle exem-
plary rosierss each season may be an extrava-
gance and q sort of sentimental performance
to matter of fact critics. but for all objections,
it is an amiable weakness, and one enjoyed
by the more human spectators.
Virtue in this life Is seldom a substantial
obviously appreciated.
There is occasionally a covert sheer at the
mention OF any pronounced case of it, or at
least an unaccountable suspicion of a double
dealing in a general estimate of it,
Usually it lacks hearty commentator and
encouragement, perhaps on the principle
that such contrasts are damaging to the ma
jority and not to be upheld, if ridicule or
doubt can belittle them. The ways and ex-
perlences OF this surprising goodness lie out
OF the average lines of the world, and are not
so markedly often made conspicuous. The
exceptions to this rule are, in few in
stances, quite notable-as for instance this
famous French Academy, assembling at
stated intervals to distribute the Montyon
prizes for memorable acts Of benevolence
and goodwill, to give the unobtrusive recipi-
ents the tangible rewards of virtue, and the
applause of the multitude instead of the old,
cold ratification Of one.
M. Montyon's prizes were fixed for virtl-
GUS writings as well as virtuous deeds.
(And, by way of parenthesis, what field of
recompense is now opened for campaign lit
erature, if some benevolent American gen
tleman is ready to follow the Frenchman's
exampleD The Montyon money is held in
trust by the French academy, and, once a
year, that renowned body adjudges upon
good works in the flesh and in literature.
You are pre-eminently virtuous, and your
name is sent to the academy, and after an
exhaustive examination of your merits you
are awarded one thousand francs under the
will OF M. Montyon, while your name is eel
ebrated in an eloquent public discourse by
some adequate Academician.
The orator of the occasion say M. Dumas,
asks in general way, what is the good Of
money? Does it buy attachments On the
contrary, as rule you count on the affec-
ton of your children as long only as they
are too young to know that you are going to
make them your heirs. The rich he regards
as objects of pity. There should be a society
to amellorate their condition, and teach
them to spend more on those who have no
money. Then they could be enriched in the
satisfaction of M. Montyon's principle of de-
irving enjoyment from reflection of the en-
joyment procured for others through our in
strumentality.
The first Montyon prize was given to a
woman whose chief merit was loving devo-
ton to the neglected children of poverty and
sin. She selected the ugliest, crossest and
most incorrigible specimens, and by work
ing, begging and appealing among the charlt-
able of her quarter, found the way to their
physical and moral reclamation.
A few days ago the fair city of New Orleans
unveiled the statue of woman whose only
fame was the "orphans' friend"
The poet wrote evangelical truth when he
asserted that honor and shame from no con-
dition rise. The worldly mind would scarcely
imagine that the life of Margaret Haughery,
dairy woman and baker, offered the inspira-
ton for the heroic commemoration of a
statue by Alexander Doyle, to stand in a
public spot in the city to be known eyermore
as Margaret Place, and to be unveiled in the
presence of thousands of people, and of all
the state and municipal authorities.
Margaret, as she was simply called by her
townspeople, wearing her large black bon
net, and driving her milk wagon winter
and summer through the streets of New Or
leans, was hardly the figure the romantic
would select as subject for the sculptor
And it would have then seemed u stretch Of
the imagination to suppose that life of such
humble scope and home spun literalness
would in the years to come, receive such a
magnificent and enduring tributes of civic
gratitude.
Here was woman of no position no
comprising mind nor commanding ability,
whose sole distinction was surprising love
for the fatherless and motherless, among
whom she divided her earnings, and at her
death there was not an institution for the
poor in New Orleana that was not an heir
to her money. She was a Catholic, but
protestant and Jew, black and white, were
alike recipients of her wealth. We can read
in the accounts of the proceedings that
when the statue was unveiled, the string
was pulled by eight persons, five men and
three women, representing each an orphan
tons, one of them negro, were present.
In day and generation which goes vii
over actresses and singers this lofty tribute
of great city is sublime. Fame and immor-
tai reward came to this lowly woman in the
common ways of life.
The marble presentment of her, is seated
in achair with her hand resting or the
shoulder of an orphan, significant of the
pathetic supremacy of her charity.
As usual, says Mrs. Harris, you seem to be
talking to yourself. Where there is but one
Margaret Haughery in a community, there
are dozens OF women fanatieally devoted to
dogs, and have observed that among per-
sons devoted to animals and feathered pets.
there is only languid interest in chiluren