New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-03
.TlY GOULD.

The death of JAY Gould ends career "iii0n
the world unites in pronounclng "onuoii w.
Il rop ne course in channels widely dli1erchI
from those along which the vast majority oi
human lives are directed. This man was ell
do,ved with a genius for speculation as eminent
and obvious as the genius oil bohaparte ioi
var Of Talleyrand for diplomacy ana OF Tl'o
fo. administration. lie diScened his own
enoc;ol ATTITUDE at an early age and Thereafter
VOC nover tempted for moment to adventure
j.; orv other field than that 10 which nature
hod assicned him. He suffered temporary re-
,,orses Int he possessed an amazing capacity
for arresting their normal consequences ana
ovtortinp from them the conditions of ultimate
advantage. Like many great masters OF OPP
no,tnnitv he possessed only meagre physical
resonrces. Penetrating intellect and indom-
table will are seldom in more striking contrast
with the material organism which they lnhaDit
and control 1t is not the least amazing l"oV
of Mr.. Gouds career that he could compei thaV
feeble frame to endure so much and SO long.
However men may choose to agree OF uiHcr
rs TO the life which has ended IN peace ai'er
multifarious exploits and mutations, there Is no
doubt that it was profoundly interesting. FER
hans not more than half dozen persons nave
lived in our day whose names ana actiNl'ies
have been so familiar to the civilized world
and who at the same time have been personally
known to so few of their fellow-beingS Ills
norsistent reticence, cultivated and applied Tor
his own pnrposes, may have concealed traits
and emotions which actually existed III the
man But though he truly loved his own lam
ily and fireside and inspired tender at1Nh-
ment in return, he gave few signs OF longing
for the affection and praise OF mankind OF
even of the community in which he hyed' 1t
was his business to utilize for personal endS
tbo follies and passions of his fcllOwmen, ana
he probably accepted phoSophically whatever
penalties his vocation imposed. lie at least
preserved an outward serenity which Gd not
suggest the idea that he was panied by ohioqnN'
or shared in any degree either the bitterness
which he provoked or the suffering which he
sometimes inflicted. And certainly, whatever
feelings he may have INDUCED in private, he
rarely permitted them TO interfere with the exc
cution of his designs. And yet though ME-
Gould was widely accused of failing to keep
! faith, there were many among his hdfSheS' cri,-
| les who were ready TO admit that he seldom Il
| eyer turned upon an associate without haNiA1
had previous reason 10 believe that the asN0-
ciate was tuning upon him. The man VINO
set out TO Play that game with Mr. NouId
needed to move with lightning rapidity. lie
gathered about him large number OF devoted
and faithful followers. They rarely failed TO
| speak of him as always courteous. always con-
siderate and often generous, ard the friendship
of many of them he retained through numerous
stormy periods and great vicsstudes. lie had
also few associates almost as powerful pc
cunarily as hm,elf, with whom relations OF
mutual support and unbrokcn confidence SUBJ
sisted for many years
Mr.. Gould accumulated enormous riches, but
il is easy to believe that he enjoyed their pos
session far less than the acquisition of them.
He loved to surmOunt ard circumyent barriers,
| to make a conquest of adverse forces to con-
duct a complicated campaign, 10 apply all his
strategic powers TO the resolution of difficulties,
TO employ all the weapons OF aggression and
defence in his armOry. and finally 10 WIN a
victory which he thought worthy OF his powers.
And then he loved to Sccude himself from the
public gaze among flowers and books and
pictures. with the few whom he loved around
him and tho world at a distance. He had
cultivated tastes and varied information, but
he was not DESTROYS of imposing or mourning
social obligations, nor sOlicitOus Of distinction
in any sphere Of action except the one which
he dominated. He was apparently contented
to be what he was-the most daring, brilliant
and triumphant Spectator Of the age in the
ewes of the world, and the most loyal and de-
voted husband and father in the eyes Of his
wife and children.
Certainly this was not a career which in
many Of its aspects at least tended 10 make
mankind better and happier, or which the
world can afford to cyat as model and AZ
inspiration. But even those who put the low
est estimate upon the character and work o.
Mr. Gould are bound to acknowledge that i!
at least one respect he set an example which
some Of his bitterest ccnsors might proiitably
initiate lie never stopped 10 hypocrisy. III
never sought to dcudc himself or others witt
show of counterfeit philanthropy. His char
5 tiles there is reason 10 know, were numerous
( They certainly were unobtIusivc. lie bough
: many things, but he never bought a eulogy
1 He played the great game of speculative iinanc
I for all it could be made to yield, without dis
I guise or apology. lie has gone where he vii
be Justly judged.