Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-08-21
THE EXAMPLE OF A LIFE.


the late Charles Croker. Accompanying
It Is a collection of expressions of the
press associations and citizens, rejecting
contemporaueous opinion and estimate of
his character, and the works of his life.
There is also collection of facts reminis-
cent of some Of the early events of Mr..
Crockers career, as related by pioneer citi-
zens of Sacramento his early home and
where he laid the foundations of his life's
greatest work.
The occasion has its lessons, and it is APP
propriate that they should be indicated in
part, though obvious, for the encouragement
of others and in the interests of worthy
emulation of the successful by the young
men of the day. The chief lesson, among
all others, that the life of this man
teaches, who began with anvil and sledge
and ended with the locomotive and vast
industrial works, IS that honest toll, up
right courses, the exaction of that only
from others which he is willing himself to
perform, resolute courage to do what the
hands find to DO that is honorable among
men, perseverance. provident habit and
adhesion to the dictates of justice, viii
secure to each, according to his ability,
such measure Of success as will win from
his fellow-men the verdict, Well DONE"
and that priceless commendation, the self.
approval born OF consciousness of duty
done.
1t is one of the strongest possible evil
dences of high character that mans con-
tenporaries speak of him with warm APP
proval. In the case of Charles Croker,
who did not claim to be free from human
defects, or exempt from the criticism of his
fellow men, the contemporary Judgment
which we this morning present-though
of necessity but a partial collection of a
multitude of expressions constitutes a
memorial loftier than any shaft that can
be raised to his memory, more enduring
than any tomb that can be erected over
his remains, and more eloquent than any
eulogium that can be pronounced in his
honor.
The verdict Of his fellow-men is that
Charles Croker was a chief factor in one
of the greatest industrial and civilizing
undertakings OF the century; that his
resistless energy and undaunted determine
ton contributed as largely as any other
influence, physical or intellectual, to the
achievement of what half the world but
few years ago believed to be but a dream,
visionary scheme, wild and all but i'm
possible undertaking spanning of a
continent with a road of iron and steel.
They estimate him as an eminent
representative Of labor and business
life Of the highest order, and that his
career illustrated, as those of but few
others have. the boundless possibilities
that open before the American citizen who
has the courage to grapple with, and the
wisdom to improve them. His fine sense
of Justice, his inhexible integrity, that in
harsh; his indomitable will, his nervous
energy and resolute determination to
achieve; his discretion in enterprise, the
transformations manner in which he re-
.sponded to the calls of charity his heroic
devotion to human freedom, and his fear
less attitude in defense of his political
faith, distinguished him among men, and
reveal the secret of his successes which
have contributed 50 greatly to the develop
ment of the material and intellectual
wealth of California, and given her such a
proud position in the Union of States.
States lose in the death of any good citizen,
rich or poor; but precisely the relation great
works bear to the general public, is the re-
lation of their projectors and executors to
the world Of industry, commerce and
thought. Because this man commanded
BY his energy and viii the means for great
good, was the field of his labor broadened
and his place in the advance and develop
ment of the Republic exalted.
He put the best of long life into pub
lie work, and all that he did remains to
his fellow men. He put into the life of
the age energy. insuring it immeasura-
bly, greater gains than the material re-
wards he drew from it. Had he been
less friend Of the State and more
a selfish being; had he been less de-
voted to the development of the
fairest portion of the continent
and more to his personal ease
less patriotic in his impulses and less a
devotee of freedom, he would years ago
have ceased from his labors, if, indeed, he
had not retired in the very inception Of
the first continental railway, appalled, by
obstacles that to him were created but to
be overcome, and disheartened by the re-
fusal of his own people TO engage in the
construction of the road, or to place faith
in even the possibility of its accomplish,
ment.
As great architectural structures develop
their true proportions to the eye only
when viewed from distance, so the great
est works of men-taken out Of the atmos
phere of envy, contention and unbelief-
in the perspective of times distances
rise fairest to view and reveal all theil
stateliness and grandeur In the calm O.
the future, when the little band of rail
way nioneers aud State developers shall
have moved into the recoverable past
men will view their works in their flares
proportions, will estimate them at thei
true worth and accord that measure o
commentator which falls not to tn,
e -. IL. --..,o. 81 81 Lot :.