The times., 1899-05-20
SATURDAY. MAY 20, 1893.
The snnrI of Mr.. Astor.

The SnurI hr. AstGr.
In the current number of the 'Pall-Mall
Magazine" Mr.. William Waldorf Astor
gives his reasons for leaving America and
taking up his residence in England. He
says that his -grandfather's life and
character have been distorted until only an
odd trayesty survives. by the press in
particular" ne continues, with the excep-
tion Of few serious journals. he has been
continually derided and reviled with that
spirit Of pure malignity which pursues the
successful man. 1t is not democratic TO
climb so high"
Mr. Astor is kind enough to favor US
with few details of family history. His
great grandfather, SO much reviled, was
born in the village of Waldorf-or Wal
Dorf-near Heidelberg. in July, 1853. and
though the fortunes of the family were
then at low ebb. lit WAS of naughty
and distinguished ancestry
Then we are supplied with portrait of
the original Astor In the words Of his
g-eat-grandson:
Ii is face that speaks Of method and pene-
tration and lucidiIy; of reserved and medita-
tive habit; of patient courage and mssterfui re-
solve; OF iorethought and suggestiveness and com
mon seIse. lie was a man intense in action. Who
early OWNED the astufe philosophy that the
ret OF SUCCESS is concentration; that ingenuity
often brings the improbable TO pas, that amid
lhe emergencies Of this haphazsFd world the ulti-
reliance, under Providence. is ones self; that
whoever attempts great things without believing
IN his power TO achieve Is certain TO fail.
lie was blessed with the excellent nervous sys
TEN Of who has sprung fresh from the peo-
pie. and atsterniousrless and sobriety preserved
10 him reserve Of staying power that sustained
him through many troubles and sorToWs. lie was
won't TO say iestingly that an ounce Of practice
j. better than ocean of theory and prefessed
the practical mans scorn Of visionary expert
mefts. None knew better how 10 make the ut
most Of opportunity or to adapt the means TO the
end In a period Of extraordinary financial eX-
pansion and development and the floating of
pForniscuous securities and the promoting Of many
dcIhtiul ventures he was msn Of infexible truth
and pTobisy.
We do not doubt it. There will be no
sons description of the great grandfather
But when he afirms that the life and
character OF the old gentleman have been
maligned in the American press he writes
himself down a simpleion OF the first water.
On the contrary. there is no American
newspaper whose opinions are worthy OF
esteem which has not been disposed TO
pay tribute to the pluck, honesty, and
various other manly qualities OF the ioun-
der Of the family.
Between the grandfather and the
great grandson there is something of a
difference. Nobody in America is she'd
ding tears because William Waldorf Astor
has seen fit 10 take up his residence abroad.
What people in New York thought Of him
was pretty well shown when he ran for
Congress against Roswell P. Flower, and
was ANONYMOUSLY defeated despite the
large amount of money which he is alleged
10 have expended in his campaign.
We have no barons, or lords, or earls,
or dukes in this country. though there are
those who think we are drifting in the di-
rection of an untitled but intellectual aris-
tocracy. We have always wondered Why
there should not be an intellectual pro-
Ietariat precisely as there is an industrial
one, and why lawyers. doctors, college pro
fessors and newspaper editors should not
parade the streets. as do others. in adyo-
cacy Of their rights" That, however. is
not germane TO the proposition. The fact
is that Mr.. AsIor was unable to break into
Congress, and while IL is true that he was
sent ABROAD as MlDieteI 10 ildit ou Aut
theory that he had money to burn and
was willing to spend II. 1t is equally true
tba; no one has protested against his
exile.
II is one OF the condolences OF lie that
men OF great wealth like Ar. Astor are not
remembered in the same sense as those
who have achieved eminence in letters. in
Law, In medicine. or other spheres of pro-
fessionai activity. croesus. Of course. will
always so ringing down the sisles OF
time. but IL is questionable whether enc
hundred years hence people will stiIl pre-
serve recollection of our Goulds, Wander
bilts. and Astors- The mere capacity 20
acquire money, wsile 1t may be generally
envied, IL no, crstomarily one OF the
things that entiile men TO historic recol-
lection.
Mr.. Astor is right when he reflects on
the sensationalism OF certain element OF
the American press. He is not departing
from the truth when he affir1ns that there
exists no ampler copiousness OF mean
ness and vulgarity. no grosser exhibition
Of ignorance. no coarser proclamation OF
private life than fills the columns of these
iepers white as SNOW" Even the ''Yel-
lows" however, so far as we have OBJ
served, have not attacked the memory OF
Mr.. Astor's great-grandfather. whatever
they may have had TO say about the great
grandson. and it is on the formers &C.