Evening star., 1937-08-27
Andrew W. Mellon.

Many years probably must pass be-
fore his country can pay proper homage
to Andrew w. Mellon He has finished
his course in time when passions are
too hot, differences too aggravated, for
detached appraisal of the value of his
career to his native land and to the outer
world. Even those who knew and under
stood and loved him are hesitant to
attempt to tell his worth. The simple
truth would be eulogy which critics
would delight to attack.
Yet it would be treason to human in
tegrity to be completely reticent at this
present moment. The monstrous legend
which partisan foes have created around
Mr.. Melons name must be contradicted.
He was one of the most cruelty misrep-
resented characters in the history of the
current age. Professional slanderers were
employed to vilify him. He shared with
Washington and Lincoln the experience
of being abused for his virtues. Millions
were educated to hate him that their
votes might be delivered to the party
to which he did not belong.
But what does it matter? One day,
however tardily, the balance will be ad-
justed. The people never are perma-
nently deceived Inevitably, they learn
to separate the facts from the myths,
the realities from the uncharitable sup
positions. Such was Mr.. Melons faith.
He dedicated his heart to America be-
cause, naturally, instinctively, he appre-
ciated the American race-the men,
women and little children who are the
Nation. 1t was his choice to be OF them,
with them, for them always.
Search his career for a personal mo-
him to have been dedicated soul. Mr..
Mellon existed for service to others.
Wealth and fame he never sought, never
desired. If they came to him, they were
an embarrassment. He fought for
nothing labored for nothing save what
he could put to social uses His tastes
and habits were ascetic. In his youth he
had been taught the meaning Of suffer-
ing, and it was his purpose to contribute
to the defense of humanity against the
penalties Of ignorance, poverty, disease
of his philanthropies cannot be esti-
mated. He gave silently as well as
generously.
And his modesty was symptomatic of
quality hard to explain. To say that
he idolized beauty is to be guilty of an
understatement. He worshiped it-not
merely in the magnificent collection Of
old masters which he assembled to flll
the gallery which Is to be one of his
monuments, but, more particularly, in
manners, in behavior, in the conduct Of
the daily routine of living. His shyness,
his dread Of noise and vulgarity, his
gentleness of speech, his kindliness Of
bearing, his delicate gracefulness in the
forming of an opinion and the utter
ance of that opinion when formed-these
traits were examples of Mr.. Melons dis
tinctive philosophy
He was a builder from first to last.
The banks, the businesses, the institu-
tions he developed were so many bridges
for the onward march of his fellow
creatures. He sought to make his country
strong and dignifled, happy and content
not by waving magic wand like
medieval wizard, but by providing oppor-
tunity for self improvement, self-ad-
vancement, for all who we're willing to
try If he possessed no confidence in
economic quackery, let the circumstance
be cited to his credit.
Washington will remember Mr.. Mellon
with gratitude. He came here
stranger, resided and toiled here until
he was regarded as neighbor, sponsored
the expansion Of the city to the greater
glory which 1t now Is beginning to attain.
The Capital never parts with such
friend He has his rest, but he is not
lost to those who hold him dear.