New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-03
4 GREAT LIBRARY FOR NEW-YORf

II nothing intervcncs 10 disrupt the plan which
has been slowly maturing for long time, the
dream Of great public library in New-lork
devoted to the free use OF the people will soon
be in process Of fulflmcnt From the fact that
those in a position TO speak are now willing 10
authorize the announcement that they expect 10
combine tie resources of the Aston. 1.cnoX and
Tjlden trusts TO-. this magnificent purpose ii may
he safely assumed that they apprehcnd no fur
Their possibility Of disappointment. II has been
4 vast. delicate and complicated undertaking TO
bring these three diverse interests into cond
ton of legal unity and practical cooperation for
the accomplishment of an object not only far
larger than the scope Of any one OF them aiohc'
but essentially dlrrcrc"t from that which cach
Of the two already in existence has lhdl'luu'''
pursued. 1t is proper To say that, II the Pc"Pic
of New-York are really destined 10 ENJOY mere
after the frnition of faint though cherished
hope, they will owe an immense dcot OF era"-
tudc to the several boards Of trustees whose
dsintcrcstedncSs mad The achievement pos
siblc. And furthermore. it is simple justice" in
consideration of all the circumstances. to single
out one citizen for praise, by acknowledging the
public spirit and large mindedness OF Mr. VIII
lam Waldorf Astor. who at considerable sacri
flee Of natural feeling. has given the poweriul
sunnort Of his sympathy and influence TO this
superb project.
If has been suggested in advance Of any au-
thcntic announcement of the plan now dlNuiEeu
that sucb 4 consolidation would be TO some eS-
tent an alienation of trusts. and especially 'ha'
it would be inconsistent with Mr.. llldeh pur
pose TO perpetuatc his name In monumental
library We cannot cOncede That TINS - true III
any large sense. Mr.. Tildcn's original purpose
was defeated by the courts under c"hdluo'S
which aggravated the loss. 1t remained ior MS
trustees TO carry out so far as possible III spirit
the service which he had designed TO render 10
the community and which they were unable 10
execute according to the letter OF their lnstruc-
tons They could not promote the puDhc WEI
fare 10 anything like the extent which ne had
contemplated. II they adhered to his spccihca-
tons In that way they could give Only
manned and imperfect expression 10 his WILL
and they We're unwilling to take the RESPONSE
bility Of frustrating his large intention by "A
small use of their own liberty. They preferred
10 realize his ideal in the only way left 10 thchl'
through a combination Of endowments ana iaclii-
ties which should he rcconsecrated TO the uni
versal service of the people.
Such Is the bcnefcent result which me three
boards OF trustees believe that their joint action
is TO achieve 1t IS perfectly obvious that their
union will nberalize and extend the utility OF
the Lenox and AstOr foundations; and the
Tiden trustees for their part. are assured mat
Mr. Tilden's intention toward the city Will be
even more amply fulfilled than 1t could have
been under the terms Of his splendid beqnest,
and that thus. though less closely identified with
his personality, the library which Will subordi-
nat, his name will truly honor his memory.
No part Of his design which Is essential
to the common welfare will be rclinquishcd.
The only significant concessions In fur,herancc
Of his main purpose are made by those long
| established institutions whose rigdiiy has
| hitherto in common estimation unnecessarily
impaircd their usefulness. The sense Of Obliga-
| ton alike 10 the founders and to the community
| which has induced their trustees to join In this
unique and far-reaching scheme Is deserving or
the highest appreciation. The three forces thus
| unified In the interest OF civilization are com
petent to accomplish a pre-emncnt work for
humanity. And it Is to be confidently expected
that the unsel6shness, the discretion and the
large intelligence which have brought these diff
| cult negotiations to the present stage will in
spire and direct the development Of a noble con-
| ceptlon.