The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-02-19
Gl,e Jntelliecnnr
wIrrEL,SG. FEBRUARY 10, 1895.
George pcaboay's birthday.

Yesterday was the centennial nn-
niversary OF the birth OF QUE OF tho
greatest philanthropis,s that ever
lived. George Peabody, and the day was
made memorable Mt many places in
America and Europe by appropriate
celebrations. So universal wero the
preparations that the observance OF the
day may almost DO termed an interna.
tional celebration. The town Ct Danvers,
Mass, naturally took precedence, DO.
cause it was there that tho great public
benetac,or was born, on February IS,
l195, and it is there tina. his mortal re-
mains rest. Peabody remembered tho
place OF his birth With gift Of nearly a
quarter Of million dollars to found an
institute and library.
But while tho New England village
was having the greatest celebration in
its history, and was entertaining all the
digni,aries OF the state in honor OF the
occasion. in other sections OF the conn
try the memory OF the man who did so
much for the cause OF education, and
who distributed his wealth TO make the
world better. was being honored. In
the southern states governors and lcGis.
latures celebrated the birthday OF tho
civer OF the Peabody fund" Every
school child in West Virginia knows
what that is. and has been taught to
revere the name OF the donor.
In England's capital, where Peabody
amassed the greater part OF his immense
fortune, which he knew so well how to
use, fact that prompted Mr. Gladstone
to say tina. he had taught the world
howea man may be the master OF his
fortune and not its slave"-in London
the memory OF tho philanthropist was
also ,honored. for his gifts to the cause
OF humanity were not confined to his
native land. The poor OF London have
cause tc remember him with gratitude.
By an expenditure OF more than five
million dollars he established the pea.
body dwellings," " hich are now self.
supporting and which have provided so
much comfort for London's poor. In
appreciation OF his princely muniicence
the queen OF England offered him a
title. but being truo American, Pea.
body declined the honor. and was aat!s.
fed to receive simple letter from her
majesty acknowledging hi, gifts.
An article in the Chicago Intcr.Ocean
reviewing the life work of George
Peabody, referring to what he did tor
the city in which he made his fortune,
Gays:
By his contributions In tohali OF the poor Of
thai great CITY, George Peabody frs. yet In motion
the benevolent activities VIII ch have Gycs since
been nj worE transforming the sq:Hiid quarters
Of IoutnR into hcaiihiu! and plclssH! places Of
abode for the honest and industrious poor. sup
plefnentcd nftcrward b? the Peoples Palace"
'.Toynbee Hall. and wintnot for the bc,tcriacat
OF I'll sorts and conditions OF men
In his own country tho results OF Pea
body's philanthropy have been even
greater. il tho Peabody fund for edu-
ca!ional purposes in tho south were tho
only thing il would be enough to cause
his memory 10 be honorcd, but hc did
more. Aside from the Peabody insti-
tutes, the libraries and other gifts, the
whole country owed to him DEBT OF
gratitude for what ito did in securing
the display the United States made at
the Crystal Palace exhibition OF 1851.
For this and for his various public bcuc-
factions in America he received the
thanks OF Congress aud the legislatures
OF many states. Tho legislature OF
Maryland especially honored him for
coming to tho rescue OF that atate and
saving her credit during n financial cri.
sis. Here are some OF tho minor bene-
factions recalled by tho Inter Ocean ar.
ticle:
The second Gfinucll expedition. under DR..
Elisha Kane. 10 scArch for Sir John franklin
was Chiefly lifted out by the tamu muDitlCcnt
glvsr. End among the smaller gifts may be noted
;hc mm o. s!5,ry0 each 10 Phillips Academy nni
Kenyon College. both Of which Institutions nlso
ioin In this centennial Anniversary. Salem,
MaSA, is hlso Indebted TO George Peabody Tor Its
EagniiICra: mrScum. mud M art school In Rome
Will also hold exercises OH the zane Intcrin.
iiOnnl occasion IN CoinncmOrhllOn OF Its founder
wnosC bencfcGncc secIns 10 have covered almost
every agency for cnlturc. progress, and tho hap.
plncss 0! his fellow men.
Tho world has produced many philan.
:hropists, but few Of thom have boon
the equal OF George Peabody in unset
fish giving. 1t is no wonder that two
nations honored him Mt his DEATH and
continue to pay tribute to his memory
after he has been in hiu grave for n
quarter OF century.
Nat,a-.1