Morris tribune., 1888-10-24
A TRIBUTE TO LEVI P.
MORTON.
When a Great Democratic
Newspaper Spoke Its Real
Mind.

The New York Herald is now doing
oil in its power against the Hon. Levi T.
Morton, because it is an out and out free
trade iournal-except during campaign
time-but in 1880, when congress had
granted ship in which to send food to
starving men, women and children IN
Ireland, it spoke its real sentiments and
said: 1--WE print most welcome letter
from q distinguished citizen of New
York who does not permit Us to use his
name, in which he makes proposal OF
practical utility for the succor of the
perishing Irish poor. This benevolent
citizen has learned from the Secretary OF
the Navy that the ship Constellation,
which the Secretary proposes to send
with contributions of food to Ireland,
under the authority of q recent joint res
olution of congress, lies at the Brooklyn
Navy Yard awaiting cargo, but that no
tenders havo yet been made. This gen.
tleman, who is personally known to US,
and whose responsibility we can so
safely indorse that we assume to guar
antee the performance of his offer, a
guarantee which would be superf1uous
if he did not desire to conceal his name,
proposes to pay for one-fourth OF the
ca,go of the Constellation, if other par
ties will make up the balance.
New York, March 9th, 1880.
To the Editor of the Herald:
q learn from the Secretary Of the
Navy that the ship Constellation, which
he proposes to send with contributions
of food to ireland under the authoriza-
ton OF both Houses of Congress, ap-
proved February 25th, 1899, is at the
Brooklyn Navy Yard, but that no ten
ders of cargo have been made. You are
authorized to announce that a gentleman
personally known to you, who declines
&c have his name made public, offers to
pay for one-quarter of the cargo
of the Constellation, if other par
ties will make up the balance. The
capacity of the ship is equal to 1890
barrels of flour, but the cargo should be
made up of flour, oatmeal and seed po-
tatoes, which last would arrive in time
for planting, and replace those which
the sufferers have been forced to use to
sustain life l shall desire the distribu-
ton of the cargo to be made by Mr.. Ben
nett's committee. AS you are aware,
these articles of food will be delivered
free of cost, save TO the Government. Ii
you approve the idea, you can make the
proposition without flor the present, at
least using my name. You may assume
to guarantee the performance of my
offer. Believe me, yours very truly,
A FRIEND"
Eight days later, when the total cargo
had been subscribed, the Herald felt at
liberty to give the name of the first donor,
which it did in the following terms:
1--WE congratulate the friends of suffer
ing Ireland that the first cargo has been
so promptly made up. The Constella.
ton announced her readiness to receive
freight on Tuesday next, and on We'd
nesday her cargo will be on board. This
is due in great part to the distinguished
citizen who started the movement.
There is no reason why we should any
longer conceal his name. AS his offer
was conditional, and it was uncertain
whether the condition would be COM
piled with, he had reluctance to see
his name connected with an offer which
lie might not be called to fulfill. But
now that that the cargo is complete and
the offer binding, we take the liberty to
state that the generous donor who in
fused life into this movement is the
Hon. Levi P. Morton. If Mr.. Grace,
who makes an equal contribution, falls
behind Mr.. Morton, it is only because he
did not lead the way, but followed, In
stead of setting an inspiring example,"