The record-union., 1895-02-13

needs in government, and of the springs
of action that should move them. 1t was
a patriotism born of love for his fellow
citizens whose highest good constituted
with him The chiefest incentive for love
of country.
When the pail of war settled over the
land in the form of threat to pull down
the pillars of the Nation, w. w. Stow
was found Instantly upon the side of the
Union, fearlessly, unreservedly standing
up for the indissolubility of the Federal
compact, and in favor of crushing out
every spark of disloyality; not in hatred.
but with sorrow; not with loss of love
for mistaken citizens, but with the
broader, greater love that is the child of
loyalty to the best interests of all men.
But while he loved the Union it may be
said that it was equaled by his ardent
love for California. There was no di-
vision in this dual affection. California
was his ideal; the Union was the crystal
lization Of his ideals. His love for Cali
fornia went beyond mere acquiescent
embrace resolution and inspired action to
adorn his love. to beautify her and shower
upon her the treasury of his mind, and to
devote to her the full measure of his
genius, in developing her resources, add
ing to her stature and in augmenting her
strength.
1t is scarcely necessary to refer eX-
tendedly to the later manifestation of this
love by W. w. Stow, in his service to the
people of his city, as the genius of that
1oveliest of artificial parks which is at
| once the boast and the crown of honor of
the metropolis. He entered into the work
| of conserving the development of that
park with all the love of parent and
all the ardor of lover. So broad was
his sympathy with nature in her best
moods, so keen the delight he felt in COM
munion with her, that the labor Of his
later years in relation to Golden Gate
Park is the most fitting honor that could
possibly adorn the closing hours of SO
grand and useful life.
The poor knew him as a benefactor
whose efforts to enable them to enjoy the
beauties of nature were known in every
heart and acknowledged in every house
hold in the city. W. W. Stow had the
qualities that inspire confidence in their
possessor among all men. His word was
his bond, his promise was absolute secur-
ity, his declaration the law of truth. He
kept faith with all men; and in saying
that we indicate one of the chief virtues
Of this distinguished citizen whose life
work is the best monument that could be
upreared in his honor.
Strong, fearless, firm as rock, irresist-
ible in his resolves once fixed on, he was
gentle, kind, merciful and affectionate.
His hand was ever helping the poor and
the needy, but the world gathered from
him no record of his charitable doing.
He was born to command, but not with
sword and warrant of title, or the insig-
| MIA Of power. For he was an organizer
of men, and, therefore, controller OF
men as are only the few in century. 1t
was this very capacity to organize, to di-
rect, to control that drew upon Mr.. Stow
the adverse criticism of men who enYied
as they feared him, and who impugned
his motives because they would not I'M
! derstand them.
But he is dead, and California mourns q
| loss that will be felt long after his bones
shall have crumbled into dust and his
| body have been absorbed into the soil OF
| the State which was his idol, and the
promise Of his fondest hopes and his
| highest ambition.