National Republican., 1885-12-12


grGndcr the act performed the greater the
enmity excited, there need be no surprise
that gross Gnd malicious mlsstatemcuts
have appeared in certain newspapers 10
one or two Of the larger cities respecting
the magnificent endowment Of university
in California by Leland Stanford aud wife.
The facts In relation to this endowment
are that vast and highly productive os-
tate, including immense wheat fields nnd
great vineyards, and worth not less than
$4,CC0,OC0, has been given, outright aud
absolutely, by Senator and Mrs. Stanford
to create and support great institution OF
learning. No string is tied to the gift, no
possible way is left by which the donors or
their heirs could recall II under any cir
cumstances. 1t has passed from their
ownership as completely as If sold TO a
private purchaser and conveyed by war
rHnty deed
During the life Of Mr.. Stanford he is
Joined with the trustees in managing the
estate and fund accruing theretrom. AZ
his demise his heirs will have no more con-
ncctIon with or relation to the property or
the university than other citizens.
No other Amcrican--not even our own
honorod and beloved citizen, w. w. Cor
ccran-has, during his life, given so much
fer any single public beuefaction as Leland
Stanford has to this endowment. Johns
Hopkins, Of Baltimore, gave three and
half millions for university and a like sum
for hospital, but he parted with none Of
II till his death. George Peabody gave
many millions for various worthy objects
during his life, thus setting an example
which may be Of as much value a5 his
munifcent charities. Stephen Girari's
educational gift places his name high on
the list Of the worlds bCncfactions, but he
did not part with his property until he
partedfrOm life. Chauncey Rose gave mill
ions during his life, and his memory should
be cherished as that Of noble benefactor
of mankind. Astor, the Lawrences, Cooper,
Springer, and many others deserve endur-
ing gratitude for great and useful gifts to
their felow-men. But, as We have stated,
no other American has ever given away In
his own lifetime and for n single purpose
a fund or property equal to that which
Leland Stanford has dedicated to the cause
of liberal learning in the state of California.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN would not
speak unkindly Of the dead. 1t cherished
no malice toward William II. Vanderbilt
when he was in the land of the living, and
IL Gel tainly will not follow his clay to the
grave with maledictions. As the world
goes, Mr.. Vanderbilt was by no means a
bad man. lie was honest in business trans.
actions and far from miserly in his habits
lie was kind to his immediate family and
pleasant with his friends. lie encouraged
art, led well-ordered life, and took only
that which, under the laws, was his own
1t should not be forgotten that when Gen
Grant was thrown into the most painful
embarrassment Ivy the rascality of his bus
iness partner, Mr.. Vanderbilt's conduct to
ward the Old Commander was all that tho
/ highest sense of honor and most refined
delicacy could have suggested.
But tvicwing Mr.. Vanderbilt's life at its best
how poor and little worth 1t seems In com
parison with that of Mr.. Stanford. Mr.
Vanderbilt constructed no great public
works. He bought but did not blild rail
rnads lie LaIi t., s.io,, ti.o Daii that IA:
father had rolled and the fifty grew to tw,
hundred millions. Mr.. Stanford's life ha
been q great factor In developing the re
sources Of the country. He has plannet
and executed grand enterprises which hav
added immensely to the sum-total of tn
worlds happiness. lie has been the sourc
Of competency to thousands who nigh
else have continued to live In poverty
Through his labors the possessions of grea
communities have been doubled or Quai
Iupled in value. And, now, while yet /
the activities of a busy, great career, h
takes large portion OF his wealth an
voluntarily lays 1t on the altar of benevC
lence-a gift to humanity.
Mr.. Vanderbilt will be remembered as III
richest man Of his time; Mr.. Stanford as I'll
friend Of man.
The Courier-ltem, a Democratic new
paper published in California, in an editors
entitled "stanford University" says:
The munifcent endowment proposed an
last week contaminated, and the gigantic al
comprehensive character of the institution
be created, were so far above ana beyond T.
ordinary thoughts and plans of men as
man and woman who had overcome aud rise
so far above the common selflshness of Il
human race as TO be able TO voluntarily ID
down fortune of such colossal proportions
not under the impulse of emotion or fanatic
selfabnegation, but calmly, with deliberate
and foresight.
Referring to the prejudice against NJ
Stanford by reason of his connection with
great railway, the Courier-Item adds:
The name of Stanford now signifies the pre-,
dent of corporation commonly considered
monstrous monopoly, United states sen
tor, Republican in politics, aud, consequent
an offensive partisan" to tho eyes of man
but when Stanford the railroad king, wit
Stanford the governor and senator, shall ha
passed into eternal oblivion, the name "Sta
ford" will then signify n seat of learning,
nous not alone In California but througho
the realm of civilization
No grandcr monument could be erect
to commemorate life, and he who erec
such monument does not die, except in
very restricted sense Of the word. Cent
ries hencethe StaDfords, Peabodys, Girard
Hopkinses, Corcorans, Roses, Astor
Lawrences, Coopers, Springers, De Pauw
Monteforcs, and all others who have erect
or shall erect such monuments as theirs, W
still be living among men In the'actly!t.
Of bCnCilCent influences.
Mails Inv Wire.