The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-06
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER, 6. 1897.
The HEART OF THE PEOPLE TOUGH

In spite OF the prejudice that has been
melted by demagogues against rich men
and corporations and trusts, the people
of this community without regard TO
notifies and class distinction have with
one accord paid their tribute of praise
10 the life and work Of the late Major
Lewis Ginter.
The out-pouring at his funeral yester-
day evening of all classes OF our people
rich and poor. ESPECIALLY the poor, white
and black, was an unprecedented express
sion OF esteem and love for the man.
To those who have been accustomed
10 denounce "piutocrats" and trusts
m the very abomination Of desoiation'
this movement from the great heaYt OF
the people for a man who was the great
est of all the local ''plutocrats" and the
head and front of a trust will be hard
TO explain. yet to any honest and sincere
mind the case is plain.
Major Ginter was the wealthiest man
IN Richmond and was the largest indi-
yiduai stakeholder in a so-cailed trust,
that has been denounced from one end
of this country TO the other. But that
branch Of the corporation with which
Major Ginter was directly associated,
and which by his industry and ability he
built up into a large manufacturing in
dustry. has been managed so conserva-
lively and so literally and has given pro-
ftable employment TO so many people,
that all who have served the Allen &
Ginter branch OF the American Tobacco
Company. entertain for Major Ginter
feelings of profound respect and deep af-
lection.
Not only so. but Major Ginter has en-
pioyed his great wealth in other direc-
lions. so as 10 give employment 10 the
working man and build up the interests
OF this community
No man can truthfully say that the
great enterprise with which Major Gin
ter was associated and that the great
fortune which he had accumulated were
oppressive to ibis community. No man
would have had him conduct his business
affairs differently. No man regrets that
Lewis Ginter accumulated q great for
tune and no man has a word of censure
for the methods used ir that accumula-
ton. The mans life. the mans great
enterprises. the mans great fortune were
q blessing to the people OF Richmond and
vicinity.
We have already indicated the lessons
TO be learned from the life Of this Ia
mented citizen. II Is not the accumu-
lation OK wealth that is the curse 10 this
country, but the abuse Of wealh. If
ell rich men were as conscientious as
MAS Major Ginter OF the obligation OF
wealth. and IL all men discharged that
trust with :he same liberaiity and fidel-
isy that characterized the life Of Major
cinter; IL rich men ussd their means not
for their own selfish exaltation and en-
soyment, but in such way as 10 give the
greatest good to the greatest number.
the fortunes of other men would be a
blessing 20 their people "a the fortune
OF Major Ginter has been n blessing to
this people.
The love OF money is sail 10 be the root
OF all evil. because the love Of oney I'M
piles intense seihshness. II man love
money better than he love his feiiowmen.
he will necessarily employ his wealth for
ais own selfish purposes and % the injury
rather than the benefit OF humanity But
n he love money simply for the good that
he may do with II, then his pleasure is
found In disbursing hts wealth in such a
way as that others may enjoy it. And
then truly does he realize tho force OF
that sublime and. inspired declaration
that "it Is more blessed TO give than TO
receive"
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A LAME DEFENCE.