The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-12-18
THE DEAD MILLIONAIRE.

The vanity of worldly wealth is strik-
ingly illustrated at this moment when
William II. Vanderbilt lies dead amid
the evidences eff the enormous wealth
of which he was the pOssessor only d
few hours since. Three days ago he
could have drawn check for millions
Three days ago he could look around
his spacious residence at the rare and
costly gems and luxuries with Whlch
his,monev bad surrounded him and say:
"All this is mine.n - To-day his hands
are crossed over his breast and his eyes
are closed forever. He is poorer and OF
less consequence in the world to day
than the humblest servant in his house.
hold.
What fruitful theme for the church
pulpits If Mr. Vanderbilt had been a
great philanthrOpist like Cooper, Pea
body or MontefiOre if he had distin-
guished himself in craftsmanship, liter
ature or art. his death might have sent
a thrill of sy.c 0athy through the coun-
try and read a different lesson to those
he left behind. But he chose different
life. While he occasionally did acts OF
great liberality, such as his gift to the
Medical College, his payment OF the oO-
elisk expenses and his donations TO the
Vanderbilt University, and while ms
private acts of charity were probably
numerous, he followed a business life,
interspersed with such pleasures as SUIT
ed his taste. His pursuit was business;
all his thoughts were of business mat
ters, and he died while talking business
with a friend.
1t is singular that, while a Republi-
can in politics, Mr.. Vanderbilt was en-
tirely democratic in his habits and feel
ings His wealth is estimated at $780,
600, 000 People do not stop TO think
what that means. At an average OF t
Per cent. it means an income of 50, 600
a day-a larger amount than is made
by more than one man out of every ten
thousand engaged in business through
out the United States.
Yet, despite this temptation TO aristo-
cratic indulgences, Mr.. Vanderbilt pre-
ferred the solid comfort of democratic
simplicity. He built himself a magnif-
icent residence, it is true, and furnished
it sumptuOusly. But this was for home
enjoyment, and its luxuries were hidden
behind the blinds. He cared nothing
for fashion. He did not court the So
ciety of distinguished foreigners. In
deed. he cared little for society other
than cOngenial companions. Within
the walls of his Fifth Avenue palace he
lived more plainly probably than some
of his clerks in their humber homes.
He made no display in dress or equipa
ges. He loved horses, but had no pas
sion for the turf" He owned no
yachts, castles or villas, and did not
make study of foreign fashions.
The most interesting feature of the
democratic sid5 of Mr.. Vanderbilt's
character, however, is illustrated in the
. t,, oil
have honest American wives his
daughters all have plain. unpreteuding
American husbands. There has been
10 attempt on either side 70 connect
titles with the family Eame by means Of
a wedding ring. Mr.. and Mrs. Van
derbll have not followed the example Of
the American aTistOcTacy of wealth.
and put their daughters up at auction
TO be bid for Dy sCedy and needy Euro
peau titles. Their boys and girls have
fallen in love and been married like the
boys and girls of any honest American
mechanic. For this both father and
mother ar. entitled to credit.
Some people look with alarm ~ the
/ large accumulation of wealth Of late
years III This country In individual
hands. They fear classes and aristOcra-
cy. Is the danger real or imaginary
Look AZ this striking case. Mr.. Van
derbiit inherited his fathers wealth be-
cause he was the only son fit TO be in
trusted with i. But William II. Van
derbi.t leaves behind him four sons and
four daughters and long list of grand
children. We have 10 law of primo
geuituTe, IGd sooner or later the wealth
of q family dec6utraliZts and scatters,
and all its inherItOrs cannot be money
makers OF money savers. The statute
law Of prinogeuiture accumulates.-
The natur43 law of pToCreatjon scatters.
VandeTbiIls and Jay GOulds may exist
il this country, but their children and
their childTen's children guard effectu-
ally against their peTpetuaJiOn.-N. Y.
World.