Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-09-13
WHAT DOES IT AL AMOUNT TO7

A we'll known artist once conceived the
idea of painting the picture Of a human
skull, wearing a wreath of beautiful flow
ers, and placing below the hideous parody
on the past the inscription-"What does it
all amount to-" Sometimes the same
thought is suggested by the death of a
man who has spent his lifetime in the lap
of luxury. and gloated over the posses
sion of great wealth, only to answer the
final like a pauper and be fer
ried across the Styx as naked as a. tramp.
The passing of Cornelius Vanderbilt
whose countless dollars heaped before
the throne of vim mercy would not
have purchased one moment more of
time, brings home to the hearts of the 'liv-
ing some of the sober lessons of life. In
stinctively, the question trembles on the
lips of the living croesus-"What does it
all amount to-" In the heart of poverty
there comes the hope hat across the
river of death financial equality reigns.
for Vanderbilt kneels before the judg-
ment seat as %penniless in purse as the
humblest beggar that ever besought him
for aims.
When the possessor of great wealth
property of mankind, for he has postured
before the world in an effort to control
its affairs n make it's interests his own.
Therefore, Vanderbilt dead, like Wander
bilt living, becomes the target of both
criticism and praise. His virtues will be
chisled in marble, at the expense of ibis
associates and friends. History will m
bellish it's pages with a record of his
achievements, and for a few years the
commercial life of the world will recog-
nize the vacancy occasioned by his death.
Finally he will be forgotten, and could he
look down upon the busy world, as the
years glide by, he would drop a tear upon
his scattered wealth and exclaim-"What
does it all amount tor
Far better would it have been for the
memory Of Vanderbilt had he erected a
monument in life to the imperishable
glory of unselish achievement. 1t has
been truly said that self-preservation is
the first law of nature, but when vast
accommodations of wealth reach infinite
lengths beyond that phase in human life,
and millions ~ ni1o1 nm oc q ,,eo1acc
pyramid to pride, it may Well be consid-
cred a weakness on the part of the golden
glutton who turns a deaf ear to the suf-
ferings of his fellowmen.
1t is authoritatively stated that within
a few blocks of the luxurious apartments
Of this potentate of pride, human beings
persisted last winter for the want of
bread. Under the golden shadows of the
magnate's palatial home, members of the
great brotherhood of nan starved to
death. 1t was not the duty, perhaps, of
this great financial prince to open his
purse to the poor of New York, as the
world looks upon the personal affairs oil
men, but it is a sad commentary on life
that such tremendous extremes are MOI
cheerfully dispelled by the charity Of
those who have the capacity to give.
Vanderbilt chose the pathway of sell
fishness and greed, as he had a right t.
do, but he has forfeited the love and ad
miration of mankind which his charitie.
might have inspired. No man is so grea
that he can shut his eyes to the sufferin.
at his door and carry into the future tn,
respect of mankind. Vanderbilt has gon'
to his reward, whatever that may be, bu
the average man, struggling for a liveli
hood in this veil of tears, will look owe
the history of the lead croesus and say
What does it all amount top