New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-17
essay a grand march to Hardin may be dis
missed as too improbable for consideration.
THE REWARD OF HEROES.

The essence of such heroism as Mr.. Carnegie
seeks TO reward is its Inconsistencies. Inc per-
son who rushed into danger to save NE Win
the idea Cf winning a medal or earning any
other reward would not be hero. lie might
be said to exchange one good for another 10
take a risk, perhaps give up his lie, Ior
prize precious TO him. The soldler Oh
chivalry who fought for the sake OF hghtlng
and considered an immortality Of glory his
life's full need was not the character Mr..
Carnegie would have Americans initiate. The
heroism which he contemplates is the herolsm
of sacrifice, the surrender of self in the pure
impulse of humanity. Such heroes are oy no
means scarce. Without the discipline Of the
soldier unexaIted by the support Of companions
and the ardor of battle. these men ana women
as we read almost daily offer their lives for
others as simply as they do their daily work
Many of them do it part Of their daily
work, not merely those who, like policemen,
firemen and life savers, are especially employed
for that office but fishermen, railway trainmen,
divers miners and hundred others who never
hesitate in the time of emergency to rush TO
the rescue of an endangered fellow. No reward
could make them reader than they are. They
respond 10 the forces of their own character, as
do the thousands who accomplishing live and
die by inches and bear the burdens Of others,
happy in doing what they want to do. Any
unconscious would tend to the deterioration
rather than the perfection of human character.
The value of hero fund. therefore, is not
that II will make heroes. A bounty for hero
ism is vicious as a bounty for soldiers.
nations character should be so developed,
the obligations Of citizenship so inculcated.
that the demand on men to fill up an armys
ranks in time Of need would be at once too
sacred and too compelling to admit of brides.
And the standards of human nature should be
and are too high for the call of a neighbor in
danger TO need any external reinforcement Its
value is that it will help TO know our heroes
and to become inspired by their example. We do
not believe that our people are inclined TO be
Indifferent 10 those who do great deeds to save
life, as Mr.. Carnegies gift might be thought 10
imply. We rarely hear of a thrilling rescue
which entailed lasting injury on the rescuer,
or those dependent upon him. without hearing
of generous offerings of relief. We are not
lacking in appreciation of such sacrifice.
Nevertheless, it is well TO have that appre-
citation emphasized. The children of heroes
who prize such medals as Mr.. Carnegie wishes
them TO have, and trained up in the tradi-
ton of sacrifice. likely TO be especially ami
mated by the spirit of nObltSSe ObliOc.
Mr.. Carnegie makes generous practical provi-
sion for all those who, in spite of public appre-
citation, might otherwise suffer as the result of
heroic efforts to save life. but in the main his
gift is stimulant of ideals. His prizes are
an appeal TO sentiment, an incentive TO a deeper
national feeling for the nobility of sacrifice
And this is the work of one who may be
taken as the type Of the practical man. This
IL the dream Of a dealer in actualities. a
Keen hard headed master OF business whose
gifts have, for the most part, reflected his
businesslike disposition. He would ordinarily
prefer to build technical school rather
than TO endow chair OF philosophy, 10 teach
frugality than 10 foster genius. But the vision
is there, and seldom has a philanthropst
shown in his vision more OF sentiment or more
OF belief that the spirit OF love and sacrifice IS
the most precious thing in the world