The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-08-16

Levi P. Morton is very strong with
Irish Americans and with all who sym
pathize with the distracted island over
the sea. Eight years ago when Ireland
was iamine.stricken her sunken eyes
turned, not to Free Trade England, but
to Protectionist America for food to stave
of actual starvation.
Levi P. Morton wrote to the New York
Herald that he would furnish at his own
cost fourth Of the cargo for the Con-
stellation, the ship placed by the Gov
eminent OF the United States at the dis
posal Of the relief committee. The Herald
announced the offer, said it came from a
distinguished citizen OF New York who
does not permit the use OF his NAME"
and the cargo was raised, "thc distribu-
ton to be made by Mr.. Benefits COM
mittee." On January Is, 1850, the Herald
said:
We congratulate the friends Of suffer
ing Ireland that the first cargo has been
so promptlymade up. The Constellation
announced her readiness to receive
freight on Tuesday next and Wednesday
her cargo will be on board. This is due
in great part to the distinguished Citi-
zen who started the movement. There
is no reason why he should any longer
conceal his name. AS his offer was con-
ditional and it was uncertain whether
the condition would be complied with,
he had reluctance to see his name con-
nected with an offer which he might not
be called upon to fulfill. But, now that
the cargo is complete and the offer bind
ing, we take the liberty to state that the
generous donor who infused life into
this movement is the Hon. Levi p. Nor
ton. If Mr.. Grace, who was an equal
contributor, falls behind Mr.. Morton, it
is only because he did not lead the way,
but followed, instead Of setting an in
spring example.
Mr.. Morton was not counting POPULAR.
ty. He was trying to save from starva-
ton suffering men, women and children.
Now sec the clrcumstancial ingenuity OF
the Dubuque, Iowa, Telegraph, in falsi-
flying this honorable chapter in the his
tory OF au American citizen:
Itappears that the popular supposition
that Mr.. Levi p. Morton, the Republican
candidate for Vice President OF the
United States, once donated a ship.load
OF provisions to the famine stricken peO-
pie OF Ireland is an error. He sent the
provisions, but instead OF gratuitously
distributing them among the sufferers,
he placed them with a commission house
in Queenstown, and this house taking
advantage OF the scarcity OF food, sold
the goods at an enormous profit, OF
which Mr.. Morton received his due
share. At that time the civilized world
was contributing money to aid the vic
tins, and it was with this money that
they bought Morton's provisions, paying
extortionate prices for them. Instead OF
relieving the distress OF the poor, Mr..
Morton speculated in and made money
out OF it. This fact is not at all credita-
BILE to the gentleman, nor is it more
creditable to him that he has never pub
licly denied the statement that the ship
ment OF the provisions was an act OF
generosity. For more than eight years
the press has frequently ascribed to him
the honor OF having magnanimously-
solely at his own eXpense-led the starry
ing Irish peasantry, yet instead OF dis
claiming this honor, OF which he knew
and knows himself to he undeserving,
he has, by remaining silent, permitted
the public to believe that twas merited.
He has thus appropriated what did not
and does not belong to him, and demon
strated that his moral sense is an in
definite and unSubstantial u quality as
his charity. The shipments OF provisions
was commercial and not humane
and it is well the TACT should
become widely known that MIR. Morton
may be no longer mistaken for n phiian-
thropist. Philanthropy is not in his line.
Usury is more profitable, and he doubt
less prefers it.
II this false story and true story could
be sent together into the home Of every
man who has drop OF Irish blood in
his veins, OF every man who has any
throb of pity in his heart, the cruel
SANDER would come back with a terrific
force on those who were base enough to
Mr.. Morton is not running
IN his charities, but to turn them against
aim will disgust all decent men.