The Washington herald., 1907-01-20
SUNDAY. JANUARY %. 1907.
when Death Calls. Be Not Afraid.

Col Alexander Mcclure. Philadelphia's
veteran editor, is responsible for the state
ment that Andrew Carnegie would be will
ing to give two hundred million dollars
for an extension of ter years OF life. Col.
Mcclure assured the mulumillionaire that
he would be bunkoed at that price
The price offered by Mr.. Carnegie is
twenty million dollars a year, which is only
part OF his income. He could spend the
money. therefore, without suffering physi-
cal deprivation of any kind. We do not
agree with Col. Mcclure that Mr. Car
nesie would be bunkoed at that price
He could very well afford it, But we do
know that he viii be unable to drive such
a bargain.
Mr.. Carnegie has accomplished wonder
fui feats with his millions. For example.
he has been able through their possession
to purchase an ancient castle and return
to his native land on terms of equality
with the aristocTacy Of Great Britain.
But for his millions he could not have
done that He has established in the
United States countless libraries which
bear over their entrances his name carved
in enduring stone and brass But for his
millions he could not have done that.
More than any other man alive, he has
contributed 10 the building and maInte-
nance of a system of high protection in
this country which has enriched him be
yond the dreams Of avarice. but he has
not yet begun to employ his wealth to
bring the basis Of or economic system
into harmony with the growing demands
of the world. His millions are piling up
faster than he can spend them. He has
intimated that he would be disgraced if
he did not die poor.
Altogether, We are inclined TO view the
canny Scotsman as about the greatest
and most inveterate "jollier' on this ter
restTial sphere. If ne were not one Of the
biggest moncy-makers the world has ever
known We would accord him high rank
among humOrists. The conclusion is al
most inevitable that he was only Jolly
ing our fine cid Philadelphia friend when
he declared that he would be willing 10
give two hundred million dollars for ten
yecrs more Of life than may be allotted
to him in the book Of fate It is possible,
of course. that he is in earnest. and that
hc wants the extra ten years in order
that he may dispose Of his vast wealth
before he dies. Tired of the library fad.
be is now casting about for scme other
means Of entertainment Recently he
rendered TO the United States three-quar-
tiers of a million dollars for the con-
struction in Washington of a buildine -rr
the use Of the Bureau of American g. 49,
publics. Not long ago he gave money fer
the building Of a home for The Hague
Peace Tribunal His eulogists say these
gifts are evidences Of MIR. Canegie's in
tsrost in the cause Of peace on earth and
good will to men. Who can doubt it,
Mr.. Carnegie has demonstrated that he
can buy with his millions d great variety
Of things. But the most precious Of all
things-peace of mind, ccutentment of
spirit, calmnesS, serenity. philosophical
resignation to the inevitable-these mill
hons can not buy. Nor can they buy. at
last, that feeling 50 admirably expressed
By our fine old friend Col Mcclure. Al
the Glover Club dinner, in Philadelphia.
the other day, to-wIt:
old age has nothing in it 70 fear
When death calls me. l shall not be
afraid