The record-union., 1891-01-11

1glaliOn TO De 1OuDQ OH the lace Oh any
map indicating I gateway through the
Rocky Mountains. There were but few
to believe in the practicability of railroad
construction through that pass. The
territory to be opened by the construc-
ton of the road was three times greater
than that subdued by Caesar to Roman
dominionsn all his wars of conquest.
As the financial agent, by whose finesse,
address and skill the funds necessary for
the prosecution of the work must be pro-
cured, and as purchasing agent, who must
procure and ship everything used in the
construction and equipment of the road,
Mr.. Huntington confronted many diff
culties. The duties committed to him
were Superlatlvely paramount, demand
ing in their successful discharge the COM
bined ability of the financier, the diplo-
mat and the tar-sighted negotiator. Great
difficulties are forever the opportunity for
great distinction, and the manner in
which these difficulties were met and
overcome by Mr.. Huntington proves the
possession on his part of tinanciering and
diplomatic faculty equal if not superior to
that of any American who has gained dis
tinction upon these fields. The mastery
manner in which the paramount prob
lens committed to him were solved en-
titles him to the high distinction of the
pioneer builder of American transconti-
mental railroads.
example of those whose claim to distinc-
ton is disproportionate to the official posi-
tions held by them. Notwithstanding his
clear insight into the relation between
legislation and the successful prosecution
of any business, Mr.. Huntington has
never at any time consented to serve in
any official position. At no time in his
life could he be classed with the politi-
clans. This has been due very largely to
singular absence in his mind of any de-
sire for distinction merely for his own
sake. If at any time he has been beset by
personal ambition, it has been for the ac-
complishment of large undertakings in
the realm of financial and commercial
activity. The common comprehension
seeks in high official station for
justification of any claim to dis
nnction. This is true, because the
discharge of duties in public sta
ton affords standards of comparison
with distinguished men who may have
occupied analogous positions. A Presi
dent of the United States may leave the
impression of his personality upon the
history of his country, and the measures
OF public policy inaugurated by him may
be brought into comparison with the
policies of the long line OF Presidents
in which he stands. Standing
alone, the statement of the .biographer
that the subject of his biography became
President of the United States carries with
1t presumption of the possession on his
part of exalted character or distinguished
ability. But of one who has achieved
great wealth by the successful prosecu-
tlon OF great enterprises, as broad in their
Denehcence as the entire basis of modern
civilization, it may be said chat he has
won more just distinction than can
possibly be conferred by mere official
prominence.
Men possessed Of genius for originating
great enterprises, deyising general poll
cles and the administrative force neces-
sary to carry their plans and policies into
SUCCESSFUL operation, have seldom been
credited with the capability of directing
the smaller details of their plans The
possession OF eminent administrative
ability, presupposes habitual mental at
tltude commanding general rather than
specific view of things. 1t is like the
study of topography from a commanding
summit, wherein the minutia of detail is
obscured by distance. However true this
may be OF men in general, Mr.. Hunting
ton affords conspicuous example of one
equally master in the conception of gen
eral policies and the direction of the
smallest details. The possession of these
great characteristics is due chiefly to the
clearness and incisiveness OF his mind.
which perceives with a single glance ali
the bearings and combinations of busi
ness proposition at its first presentation,
He possesses also a singular faculty of
perfect concentration upon the matter in
hand, which, coupled with tlirectness of
method admitting of no digreSsion from
the subject under consideration. brines
negotiations to speedy conclusion. Thus
affairs OF the largest magnitude to which
other men would feel justified in deyot
ing the attention of days are with him
concluded in as few hours, opening larcp
margins OF time for the bestowal of that
OF II l.
every matter of business, from its broad
est generality to its latest details,
NO one, however obscure his position
In administrative relation to the broad
empire of affairs over which Mr.. Hunt-
lngton presides, has ever had cause to
complain OF lnattention to any letter ad-
dressed to him. Every letter of a vast
volume of correspondence is answered in in
such manner that the correspondent
perceives clearly that every item of the
letter answered has been Carefully noted
and clearly understood. In this way hi
personality is present in every detail of
the vast business undertakings, of which
he Is, by reason Of superior energy. the
moving and directing center. and fhnS
also Is dlfiused and distributed through
out the whole tho strong propulsion of
his matchless energy. To this mastery Of
details is attributable the superior practi-
cahllity ofhis plans. General aduoinistra-
tloh Is closely allied TO theory, and whep
pursued wholly without knowledge If
detail, tends to become merely theoretil
cal and consequently, impractical.
IL Is the common belief iustj fed NV
common observation, that one possesse1
OF such eminent faculty Tor the practical
affairs OF life could have little sVmnafhv
with other realms of thought and being.
MI. huntington supplies q very notable
exception to the theory. Some of the
most notable schemes of his active and
busy brain have had reference solely To
the accomplishment of results in which
the public good hes been the controlling
factor. One Of tho chief incentives to the
construction OF an overland railroad was
the influence it's completion would have
upon the solution of the slavery question
by the creation of new free States. Mr..
Huntington saw clearly that the construc-
tlon OF great highway of commerce from
the Atlantic to the Pacific seaboard. a}ontr
the latitudes of freedom, would extend
settlement along the highway, which
e Woutu est carry with 1t the institutions of the
free States of this Republic-that North
ern settlement and sympathies would be
hrSt IN possession of the great unsettled
terrltory west of the Missouri river if it
secured first and most important com
munlcatlon. In making subscription to
the construction of railroad in the Con-
go basin, Mr. Huntington remarked that
II the Investment were wholly lost he
would hnd his compensation in promot-
ing the civilization of the Dark Continent.
The faculty Of mind and the discipline
OF will which enable him to acquire such
complete concentration of thought on any
matter of business in hand also confers
upon him the faculty of wholly dismiss
ing business considerations in moments
of leisure, in social intercourse and in the
domestic circle. The e<closing of the desk
and the office door behind him complete
ly emancipates his mind from the cares.
and in these moments of freedon hiS