New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-01

j. PIERPONT MORGAN.


Nobody will deny to J. Pierpont
Morgan the title of great American.
In his generation he stood out as few
of his fellows have done. His name
was known the world over and the
weight it carried was due TO personal
achievement rather than to any accl-
dent of station. fortune or public favor.
II was not in his stars but in himself
that he achieved greatness. There are
many mcn-most of them known as
scfmade men--whO owe their power
and reputation to coniunctions of CIR
cumstanccs of which they have been
the chief bcncficiarics. They are more
or less accidental great mep.
Mr. Morgan was not of that sort. III
the common and narrower sense of the
word he was not self made man at
all. He inherited a very large fortune
as fortunes used to GO. Any one not
ovcrtroublcd with imagination and not
fired with the desire to accomplish
great results would have settled down
comfortably TO hold and enjoy that
fortune. But Mr. Morgan rose superior
TO the often relaxing environment oi
great wealth. He was as eager as any
yet-to-bc-inade financiers starting III
the foot of the ladder to test his pow
ers and exhaust his last ounce OF
energy. He never tired Of planning
gigantic undertakings. even though
the returns from them could add but
little 10 his overrunning store of carl-
tai laid by and ambitions satisfied. In
the broader sense he WAS always
man self-madc and still in the making.
and his superb energy and intellectual
resources easily put him in the front
rank of those who do things in the
largest way. not so much for sell
profit as FOR the sheer pleasure OF
doing them.
The scope of his activities was ex-
traordinary. He was first Of all a
banker and fnancier-probably the
most aggressive and capable the
United states has ever produced. But
he was also churchman. a sports
man. a man of the world. an art con-
noisseur and collector, philanthropist
and an exemplary neichbor and citizen.
He labored earnestly to promote cdu-
cation. good taste, piety. charity ana
civic Improvement. His sympathies
we're catholic and his grasp on essen
tials would have made him leader
in any pursuit which he might have
chosen.
In recent years attempts have been
made 10 influence popular OPINION
against Mr. Morgan by picturing him
as tn sinister creator Of money
trust" 1t is an entirely unjust view
of his activities as q financier 10 re-
gard him as the selfish creator Of the
concentration Of credit which has re-
Gently taken place in this country. \
man of his experience and probity was
needed to conduct the amalgamations
which modern conditions in trade, III
dustry and transportation seemed to
demand and his association with them
them with confidence. As he told the
PujO committee last winter. chara ctcr
is always the true basis Of credit;
having character, he was able to con-
centratc in his own hands the control
Of enormous investments. The cOndi-
tons which made this possible were
not Of his creation. The situation
called for man Of his sort and he
merely responded to the call. He
could say without being accused of
self-praise that no money trust Is pos
sible in this country unless the country
wants one and can find a trustee in
whom il has absolute confidence
TO inspire confidence was the key
note Of Mr.. Morgan's career His
word was his bond, always redeemed
at full value. He left great riches. but
he also left good name more price
less than riches. He was leader OF
his day whom both his fellow citizens
and the world al large have long rec
ognized as a representative American.
|
A NAVAL OIL EPOCH.
Concurrently with the amiablc sug-