Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-11-16
THE sTANFoPD RENEFAcTIoN

The gift to the people of California,
and through them to the Nation, which
has long been contemplated by Governor
Leland Stanford and his wife, has been
consummated. In another place we pub
fish the full details of this unparalleled
muniicence.
That which gives it greater Importance
than the princely character of the prop
critics set aside for educational purposes, is
the wholly unselfsh and the broad phil
anthropic spirit Of the donors. It is i'm
possible for human suspicion or envy to
find in the great act of these two citizens
of the State the slightest ground whatever
upon which to base charge of selfshness
In the highest, purest and best sense, it is
az act of philanthropy such as but seldom
in an age enobles its actors.
The desire to fifty characterize and COM
ment upon the gift and scheme of Governor
Stanford and wife cannot be gratifed,
simply because of the inadequacy of forms
of expression to rise equal to the task In
the face of such a benefaction to human
ity, the available avenues of expression
and the best of their forms prove unsatis-
factory.
Nothing can be added to the force, clear
ness and lofty character of the instrument
of endowment, except the statesman-like
and wise supplemental utterances of Gov.
ernor Stanford in his address 20 the Trus-
tees. These viii stand for all time as
models Of conciseness, and wise utterance
None who read them can misunderstood
the plans and purposes of the donors.
The world has had no few examples OF
philantropic munifcence in the cause of a
common humanity, but none to compare
with this, either in the volume of the
sum set aside, or the far-reaching charac-
ter Of the scheme to be promoted by it
The wisdom and liberality of Peter
Cooper in founding an institution for the
upbuiIding Of industrial classes was al
early and prominent example Of the right
use Of wealth. Stephen Girard, the man O
whom it is said /" he had not friend,
wrote his name in unfading character
upon gifts which occupy a foremost place
among the educational and charitable
schemes of the world, and involved the
appropriation of some millions of dollars
from private fortune for public good
John Harvard's gift of the modest sum o.
$500 was the seed of one of the most adj
vaneed and beneficial educational institu
tions of the age. Montefore, who did ST
much for the people of his religion, alst
took mankind in general into the arms o
his love for humanity, and founded col
leges, schools and hospitals, and poured
out generous wealth for the relief of dis
treSS and the promotion Of peace and in
tellectuality. The unselfsh benevolenc
of Ezra Cornell drew with it the bount
of the United States Government, upo
which great scheme of education wa
successfully founded The founders {
the Nassar and Johns Hopkins institu
tions were moved by the same nobilit
of character and love for their fellow-mer
that have aetuated Mr. and Mr.
Stanford, and between them nearl
million of dollars were given 70
the rearing of two schools tina
are world-fampus. George Peabod
was his own executor in sum asgrasatin
some six or seven millions of dollars, fo
the benefit of his fellow-lnen, the amelic
ration of human suffering, and the &C
vancement of the cause of popular educ;
ton.
The list of public benefactors of tn
order is too extended for further referenC
but compared with taem all, or any {
them, the name and acts of Governe
Stanford and wife stand pre-eminent, an
not one Of all that may be recalled h
been more or 50 profuse in bounty. OF :
broad in their plans for the future, as thes
two, in whom California is blessed, and 3