Columbia ©nitjerje^ftp intljfCitpofiilfttigark THE LIBRARIES n ^-^G-'f^^A'U^^^e'^iti €^ r^/y I. C^ Ae-o-^^o-ie- iS^j^^^-^-z-^^-^. . .# • ^^^^^mA. Froul ilurper's Weekly-. Copyrigbl, lt»94f 1>> Harptr ^ Urutbers. Hn Memortam l2^^2 :^Bltgman Born af Bagerstiorf, Baoaria, JIugusf 11, 1827 Bie& af aEoronabo Beacli, (Sal., 3lprtl 23, 1894 ■a? n PRINTED POR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ©BID l^orh Prtss of ^Irilip QIoiuEn, 213-215 (East 44tb ^IxitX 1894 COIVKIGHTED, 1S94, Bv Theodore Seugman. CONTENTS. Poem: By Noah Davis . , . . , Autobiographical Tributes: Gathered by The American Hebrew The Funeral Resolutions . In the Pulpit At the Asylum Memorial Services Newspaper Extracts PACK I 3 17 47 66 73 Si 88 lOg Jjesse SeliQtwaii:. By Noah Davis. His was another race than mine, Another faith, from which mine sprung ; He traced his hneage by another Hne, And gained his manhood in another tongue. Yet when he sought our common sky, And breathed the welcome of its air, His soul rose up, as eagles fly, To the full heights of manhood there. Oh, Brother ours ! whose life has beamed With faith in God, with love of man, Through which thy patriot virtues streamed. To bless and aid our noble land. I stand to-day beside thy bier, To own thy brotherhood divine. And proudly claim, with many a tear. That Israel's God is thine and mine. New York, May, 1894. Autobiographical. AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL. The story of Jesse Seligman's life is nowhere so fully or so well told as in the following speech delivered at the banquet given in his honor at Del- monico's on October ist, 1891 : " Mr. Chairman and Friends : My heart is full of gratitude to each one of you for the very kind expressions uttered by your Chairman and to which you have given so warm a response. If I ever had any doubts as to whether life was worth living, they are now entirely dispelled, because this occasion fur- nishes me with abundant proof that the small services that I have rendered to mankind have been indeed highly appreciated. "When I first landed in this country, little did I think that after a residence here of fifty years or more I would be surrounded by so many friends whose faces, while beaming with joy, betray nevertheless great anxiety to have me leave the country, even though it be for a short time. And as a punishment for your eagerness to thus dispose of me I intend to inflict on you a brief history of my life and career. " I was born in a small village called Stadt Bayers- dorf, Bavaria, where my ancestors, dating back over two hundred years, are buried. My parents were good, honest, noble and charitable. Their family consisted of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters. M}^ eldest brother, Joseph Seligman, having graduated from the university in Erlanger, thought that he would do well to seek his fortune in the new country, the United States of America, and on his arrival here, in the year 1837, he obtained employment as cashier with Mr. Asa Packer. Kncour- 6 JESSE SEUGMAN aged by his success, my next two older brothers, William and James followed, in the year 1839. I was then at the gymnasium, making preparations to enter the university at Erlanger. After receiving glowing letters from my brothers in America, I asked permis- sion of my parents to go to the new country also. "They assented, and on May i, 1841, I started for Bremen, and after reaching there I learned that the vessel that was to carry me across was a small ship bearing tlie name Johan Georgic. When on board, I inquired for my cabin, and one was accordingly assigned me. I found it was also to be occupied by three other passengers. The interior decorations of the cabin were not of a very high order, viewed from an artistic standpoint. The ceiling and walls were covered with whitewash, which had evidently been laid on in liberal quantities, judging from the trans- formation undergone by one's wearing apparel after coming in contact with it. The bed, while not a bed of roses, consisted of a soft wooden board, with a blanket to cover the occupant while he enjoyed his peaceful slumbers. " The menu could scarcely be said to rival that pre- pared under the supervision of Delmonico's chef; it was made out daily and consisted one day of pork, beans and a cup of water ; the next day, of beans, pork and a cup of water, and the following day, of a cup of water, pork and beans ; and so on throughout the voyage, which occupied forty days and forty nights, from shore to shore. " On the last day of that voyage, which was fifty years ago, on the 4th of July last, when I awoke I beheld Staten Island in all its beauty. My first thought was to offer a fervent prayer to the Almighty God for having brought me over safely to what I then regarded as Paradise itself, and my second thought AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL 7 was to swear allegiance to the government of the United States. Whether I have been steadfast in that allegiance, it is not for me to say. " At that time the island looked picturesque and charming, and the houses were painted white, which, gentlemen, must be evidence to you that I had never visited the place, otherwise the Island would have been 'painted red,' to use an expression with which, no doubt, some of you are not altogether unfamiliar. " It was on a Monday morning that I landed at Castle Garden, and at a time when immigrants were in great demand. I soon learned that the government had sent an official to me for the purpose of seeing whether my wooden box (Saratoga trunks or Glad- stone bags not being fashionable in those days) con- tained anything that would be subject to the payment of the duties provided in the then McKinley Tariff bill. " After ransacking the contents of my humble box, I observed that the official made a very serious face, and, fearful that he had discovered something that would compel him to retain it, I asked him the cause of his annoyance. He stated that he felt very much disappointed, indeed, in not finding a dress suit among the contents of my wardrobe. I told him that in my haste to get to this land of liberty and freedom, I had overlooked it. "I then applied to him to direct me to a good hotel, where I could stop at the rate of one dollar per week, knowing that my means at that time would not allow me to stop at either the Windsor or the Fifth Avenue. I was too modest, however, to make known this fact to him, and I assigned as a reason for not seeking these high-priced hotels that I was awaiting the arrival of my traveling letter of credit, which I had also forgotten in the hurry of my departure. 8 JESSE SEUGMAN "He directed me to a hotel in Division Street, where the clerk at the desk, knowing that I would like to obtain a fine view of the city, instructed the hall-boy to conduct me to a room on the top floor, or, to be more candid with you, to the garret, which I found I could reach without being obliged to use the elevator. "After remaining in this city for two weeks, I found that my supply of cash was diminishing very rapidly, and that I had just sufficient money left to take me to Lancaster, Pa., where my three older brothers, Joseph, William and James, were then in a small business. I remained in Lancaster a few weeks, during which time I learned the Englisli language to some extent, and, at the same time, mastered the sci- ence of smoking penny cigars. " My brothers consulted as to what was the best course for our future ; and as brother James, in the year 1840, was a pioneer in the South, going there and remaining during that year, and returning with a net profit of about $800, we concluded to take the advice of this purse-proud Nabob — that we would better our condition by removing to that section of the country. " The four of us came on to New York and took passage in a schooner, which took six weeks to make the trip to Mobile. During the voyage we encoun- tered a very severe storm, and at one time e.Kpected that the schooner and all on board would be lost — in fact, it was reported that we were lost — but he who is born to be hanged can never be drowned. " On our arrival in Mobile we immediateh- sought out a boarding-house ; and as we had been nearly starved on our voyage, I need not assure you that our appetites were whetted to do justice to our provender wiien we reached the dining-room. The report quickly AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL 9 Spread that four foreigners had arrived, and when we retired for the night, we were honored by a serenade, the musical part of which consisted chiefly of hum- ming- sounds, with which our ears were not at all familiar. ' ' We soon discovered that this beautiful concerto came from a swarm of mosquitoes (any one of which would have looked with scorn upon the Jersey mos- quito) that hovered around our beds. Notwithstand- ing their musical turn of mind, they were out for blood, so to speak, and it was not until early in the morning, after they had sampled us very freely, that the}^ consented, much to our relief, to take their departure. "Our capital was small, and would not permit us to open a business in a large city, such as Mobile was at that time. We therefore thought it advisable to go to some interior town, and Selma was selected as the place where we should pitch our tents. We opened a small store, and while brother Joseph remained in charge, William, James and myself went on a tour of inspection of the surrounding country, to be absent four weeks, at the expiration of which time we were all to meet in Selma again, and compare notes. "The traveling salesmen of that period did not enjoy the luxuries that men of that vocation now expect, and as it was not customary to have a porter to carry your grip or parcel, we were obliged to per- form that task ourselves. We were so much encour- aged by the result of our first trip that we concluded to make another for four weeks, and we found that our supply of merchandise was diminishing very rapidly. " Our capital, however, was increasing at such a rate as to enable us to open more stores, which we did, brother James leaving for New York City in order to lO JESSE SELIGMAN make purchases for the amount of cash he had, and "running his face" for the rest. We opened stores in Greensboro, Eutaw and Clinton. At the age of fifteen I was the possessor of my own store, and had clerks in my employ. "We continued to be prosperous until the year 1848, when we thought that we might better our condition by coming North, Joseph Seligman and William left early in the spring, and brother Henry) who had then come out from Europe, and myself remained to wind up the business. At this point, I desire to say that I shall always feel grateful to the people of the South for the kind and cordial manner in which they treated us during our stay there. "On reaching New York, in the summer of 1848, I found that my elder brothers had already established an importing business. Brother Henry and myself started a business in the beautiful town of Watertown, Jefferson County. Here, with the assistance of the ladies, always partial to me, we soon increased our business. " At Watertown, I had the pleasure of learning to know and esteem the great and illustrious General Grant, who was then a lieutenant at Sackett's Harbor. On our acquaintance we immediately became friends, and from that hour until his death I know of no one who was entitled to greater love and respect from not only his own immediate friends, but from the people of the entire country. j "In 1850, when the "gold fever" broke out in California, I determined to leave the store in the hands of my brother Henry, so that I might venture out there to ascertain whether we could not still further improve our condition. I took with me quite a large quantity of merchandise, and got it over the isthmus as far as Gergona. AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL H " Here I found that there were not mules enough to carry all of my wares to Panama in time to enable me to reach the steamer, so I was obliged to wait for two weeks, when I boarded the Northerner. There were quite a number of steerage passengers, and only sixteen cabin passengers, many of whom were stricken down with the Panama fever, and before we reached San Francisco eight of them were buried at sea. " My brother Leopold, who accompanied me on this trip, was also stricken with the disease, but, fortu- nately, before we reached Acapulco, it turned into chills and fever, which was the means of saving his life. "Arriving in San Francisco in the fall of 1850, I landed near Sansome and California Streets, the bay reaching as far as that in those days. " I at once searched for a store for the purpose of offering my merchandise, and the only one that there was the slightest prospect of securing was on Com- mercial Street. After being there for only a short time, I found that very high winds prevailed at times throughout the city, and knowing that there was a scarcity of water, and that the houses were frame structures (with the exception of a few that were built of iron), I saw that there was great danger of a con- flagration. Learning of a brick building that was in course of erection by Messrs. Hassler, Bains & Co., in California Street, I at once applied for one-half of it when it was ready for occupancy. It was the only brick building in the city of San Francisco at that time. ' ' After being there a short time, a fire broke out on the 3d of May, on what was known as the ' Plaza.' I at once went there to assist some friends in removing their merchandise, but soon found that it had gained such headway that it would probably sweep the entire 12 JESSE SELIGMAN city. I immediately returned to my own building, and found that the Damaha Hotel, a building adjoin- ing the one I occupied, and kept by Captain Jones, was guarded by a number of his waiters, who were covering the roof with wet blankets, and who also stood in readiness with buckets of water. *' I at once explained to Captain Jones that if my house were to take fire, nothing could save his hotel from destruction, as it was built of wood, and I sug- gested that he transfer a number of his men to my roof, so that, in the event of my success in fighting the fire, his hotel would also be secure. He acted upon my suggestion ; and it was well that he did so, for the Custom-house, on the corner of Montgomery and California Streets, took fire, and swept everything before it, with the exception of the building that I occupied and Captain Jones's hotel. "Howard Fire Company, No. 3, did me great ser- vice during the fire, and I joined the company that night, serving and running with the machine for several years, so that I am now an honorably exempt fireman. Of all the dealers in merchandise, I was the only one whose hous(^ was saved, and as I had many articles that were needed at that time, I soon disposed of much of my stock, though I made no attempt to increase or reduce my prices. " Shortly thereafter, the affairs of the city became so disorganized that it was unsafe for anv one to walk in the streets without being well armed, for there was no telling at what moment one would be attacked by the thieves, thugs and desperate characters that had overrun the city. It was, therefore, found necessary to organize a Vigilance Committee to suppress this lawlessness and rid the town of bad characters. I became a member of the committee, and remained so until perfect order was restored. AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL I3 " In 1841, I paid a short visit to this city, as also to Europe, where I visited my relatives. During my stay in Munich, I became engaged to my present wife, who has at all times been my faithful companion and good adviser. "Upon my return to San Francisco, the famous Committee of Twenty-one was formed, with the object of nominating and electing such candidates as would give clean and honest government in both the muni- cipal and State offices. I had the honor of being one of the members of that committee — a fact which I have never had cause to regret, for in the fall of 1857 I had engaged passage for myself and my family to come on East, but the committee insisted upon remaining until the ticket was elected. This I finally decided to do, a decision which in all probability saved my life and the lives of my family, for tlie Central America, which was the ship upon which I had engaged passage, went down at sea. and many of her passengers were lost. So much for serving one's country. " In concluding this narrative of my career in Cali- fornia, I will say that I look upon that State as still offering great opportunities to the youth of our land, and, with her rich soil, salubrious climate and ener- getic people, she is fast becoming a dangerous rival to some of the older States of the Union. " Arriving in New York in the fall of 1857, during the great panic, I attended to my California business, which was continued for some years after my departure from San Francisco. We found that our capital could not be invested to advantage in dealing in merchan- dise, and, therefore, my senior brother, the late Joseph Seligman, upon whom we looked more as a father than as a brother, and whose advice and judg- ment were cheerfully accepted by us, went to Europe 14 JESSE SEUGMAN for the purpose of establishing a banking-house there, and also with the object of placing the United States bonds on the Frankfort Bourse. He was successful in enlisting the sympathy and support of the capitalists of Germany in behalf of our Government, at a time when such sympathy and support were necessary to sustain its credit, and the result has proven that it was not without profit to the investors, for United States six per cent, bonds were sold in Frankfort as low as thirty-nine in gold. "Since then we have been identified with every syndicate that has placed the United States bonds, and, more particularly, with the issue of four per cent. bonds, which were floated when John Sherman was Secretary of the Treasury. These negotiations have had the effect of establishing the credit of our Gov- ernment, and to-day it stands higher than that of any government in the world, for we have been able to extend our four-and-a-half-per-cent. bonds at the rate of two per cent. " In 1864, other houses were established in Europe — the London house, Messrs. Seligman Brothers, which was headed by Isaac Seligman ; the Paris house, Messrs. Seligman, Freres et cie, headed by Wil- liam Seligman ; the Frankfort House, Messrs. Selig- man & Stettheimer, the head of which is Henry Seligman ; and later houses were established in Berlin, Amsterdam, New Orleans and San Francisco. "It is useless for me to tell you that during these many years great temptations have beset us, and that we have had to encounter many financial storms ; but* thanks be to God, He has guided us through all these difficulties, and no matter in what position we have been placed from time to time, we have always striven to retain our honor and good name. " Now, only a few words more about myself. My AUTOBIOGRAPICAL I5 success, whatever it has been, gentlemen, I attribute, first, to the fact that I had the good fortune to become a citizen of this great Republic, under whose benefi- cent laws the poor and the rich, irrespective of race or creed, have equal opportunities of education and material prosperity ; secondly, to the fact that I have always endeavored to extract something good rather than evil from everything that has come before me (which has had the effect of making lighter the cares and tribulations of this life) ; in the next place, to the great assistance of my good brothers, to the compan- ionship and advice of a loving wife and children, and, above all, to a kind and merciful God. " Mr. Chairman, you were good enough to couple my name with that of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum. It is true that I have taken a great interest in that noble institution, and it is an institution of which we may all be proud. It was established in 1859, and I have been connected with it since its very infancy. When we started, we had fourteen children and a capital of $10,000. ''Now our best wealth consists of 600 beautiful, healthy and intelligent children, not one of whom is suffering from any kind of sickness, and who occupy a home that is provided with everything to make them happy and comfortable. "This is due to a kind Providence, and, next to that, to the supervision and care of Dr. Baar and his amiable wife, whose devotion and zeal in providing for the wants of these children are truly remarkable. " I would be derelict in my duty here to-night if I allowed this occasion to pass without saying that the success of the Asylum has also been due to our Board of Directors and to our Ladies' Sewing Society, who have performed their labors with ardor, and who watch with jealous care the interests confided to them. l6 JESSE SELIGMAN " You have now seen me as an actor playing several parts on the stage of life — first as a shopkeeper, afterward as a fireman, then as a vigilante, next as a banker, and last, as a philanthropist, which was the character your chairman so kindly assigned to me. Although I have not been unsuccessful in these differ- ent characters, yet I shall have to pronounce myself a bankrupt to-night, for I shall never be able to repay you gentlemen for this tribute that I am receiving at your hands." Tributes. TRIBUTES TO THE MEMORY OF JESSE SELIGMAN. Received by The American Hebrew. From Baron Maurice de Hirsch. [By Cable.] Paris, May i, 1894. Seligraan's memory will be cherished for his generosity and large-heartedness. A man could wish no higher praise. BARON HIRSCH. From Jacob H. Schiff, Pre side tit of the Montefiore Home for Chrom'e Invalids. [By Cable.] Frankfurt, Germany, April 29, 1894. Jesse Seligraan's warm attachment to his race, his generous public spirit and lofty patriotism, united with smgular ability to deal with every situation, all made him the most worthy Hebrew American of this generation. JACOB H. SCHIFF. From Hon. T. L. James, Ex-Postjnas1er General, Pres. Lincoln National Bank. I received the news of the death of Jesse Seligman, with the shock which comes only with the announcement of the sudden loss of an old and valued friend. My acquaintance with him commenced way back in the sixties; and I early learned to value his sturdy honesty, his integrity, untiring industry, and his genial, warm-hearted friendship. Moreover, I was impressed, in those dark days when I first knew him, with his sterling patriotism ; he being one of those men of foreign birth who seemed to go beyond those of us of native birth, in the all-consuming zeal and devotion for our common flag. 1 think that is what first particularly attracted me towards Mr. Seligman ; and I soon found that he really did \ .o JESSE SELIGMAN understand more fully and completely, perhaps, than many ot us did, what the War meant and what the result would be. He was one of those men, too, who, when some were anxious, speaking hesitatingly about the outcome, gave by his coura- geous faith and heroic example, a grand impulse which we afterwards saw the results of in that mipressive tender by the financiers of New York of their credit and their gold to the government in its extremity. He had undying faith in General Grant, too. in those dark hours. He was one of the few men in New York who knew him personally, and he never wavered in his confidence in the great commander's ability to carry the War through to a successful issue. Later on, we learned the grounds of his faith ; for he was probably the oldest acquaintance of (jrant in New York having become acquainted vvith him while a merchant in Watertown, N. Y., where Grant was then sta- tioned as a Second Lieutenant ; and he had afterwards renewed the friendship, when General Grant was sent as First Lieutenant to the Pacific Coast, where he found his old friend Seligman one of the argonauts of California. It was given to me, in an especially affecting and touching manner, to see some of those traits in Mr. Seligman 's inner life and his family surroundings, which made his home one of the most delightful in New York, and gave to him unusual charms in friendly and social intercourse. I saw those quah- ties displayed in that sad, sad summer of 1881, when General Garfield, stricken with an assassin's bullet, lay on his deathbed in a cottage at Elberon. Mr. Seligman's summer home was at Long Branch ; and, with that thoughtful consideration and tenderness which distinguished the man, he showed the official family of the dying President, courtesies and kindness that were very grateful and which can never be forgotten. A more pleasant family circle than Mr. Seligman's I never met ; and I will never cease to remember the charm of that fireside. There, perhaps, Mr. Seligman was really seen in the highest display of the beautiful qualities of head and heart that made him not only foremost as a great financier, but as a faithful friend. It was a great consolation to Mr. Seligman to know that TRIBUTES 21 the most cruel wound that he probably ever received was delivered to him, not through the faithlessnes of any friend ; but that his great army of friends were almost as deeply touched by that unfortunate occurence as he was himself. It came at the hands of a few thoughtless persons, who doubt- less regretted it when they came to consider carefully the entire case. Certainly, at that trying moment, Mr. Seligman discovered that he was to that company of men of affairs m New York whom he held in close bonds of friendship, after that event, dearer than ever. Of course, I do not need to speak of his genius as a finan- cier. His name and fame in that particular are secure; and his achievements will become traditions in the history of those influences which have made this country the great financial power among the nations of the earth. His death removes a foremost figure in our national and business life ; and we shall long look for one to take the place of this man, who, by his genius as a financier, his broad liberal charity, and his loving kindness towards suffering humanity, will long be remembered ; for \h. Seligman's life and work have made him one of the benefactors of mankind. Very sincerely yours, THOMAS L. JAMES. From Ex-Judge Noah Davis By the death of Jesse Seligman, our country loses a loving and faithful citizen and friend. He loved America, though not his native land, with all the ardor of a native, enhanced by a keen and tender sense of gratitude for what it had done for his race, and for him and his brothers ever since they became its adopted sons. I have never met any foreign- born American citizen more prompt to express warmly and gratefully this sentiment ; and yet it will be rare to find one who has so amply and generously repaid it. His gratitude was not confined to words. His deeds preceded his words ; and if it had ever been necessary he would have staked his whole fortune, and his life as well, for our country and its institutions. 22 JESSK SELIGMAN I recall an occasion when he and I left the Union League Club together, at a late hour one evening, and walked arm- in-arm up the avenue toward our homes. I listened as he gave me some happy reminiscences of his busy life. When we reached his street, I stopped to part with him. " No," said he, '• I will walk further with you," and he kept on till we reached my home on Fifty-sixth Ftreet. "Now" I said, " it is my turn to walk with you, sir," and we walked slowly back to his own street, where we compromised by his walking half-way back with me. In that delightful walk he developed to me his loving nature toward our country, its government and its people. I was chiefly a listener, but a deeply inter- ested and pleased one, for I could see and feel that a pure- hearted and patriotic man was speaking from the inmost bosom of a noble and tender nature. A few days before General Grant sailed on his tour around the world, the brothers Seligman gave him a farewell dinner at Delmonico's. There were forty or fifty people present. General Grant was then fully relieved from all public cares, and felt that the honors shown him on that occasion were the tribute of pure and disinterested esteem and affection. He talked with me, as I sat near hmi, of the services his hosts had rendered the country u ling the war, and to himself dur- ing his administration, with a warm sense of what was due to their genuine patriotism. It happened afterwards, and after his return frcm his Eastern tour, that I met with General Grant in Paris. He spoke on that occasion of that dinner and his great enjoyment of the evening, and gave a warm expression of his esteem for the Seligmans and for their services to the country and himself It was a merited tribute of a noble man to worthy citizens and friends, and I am glad to lay it now where General Grant would have proudly placed it — on the bier of Jesse Seligman, his devoted friend. I was standing by the side of Mr. Seligman at the Union League Club at the crucial moment of his paternal agony. Many friends were gathered around him. whose eyes answered to the tears that for a little wet his cheeks : but he soon con- quered himself, and vindicated his dignity by a few words too TRIBUTES 23 tender to be repeated. That weight, however, never seemed to be Hfted from his heart. With all his skill, abilitv and success in business, with all his love for his country, his devotion to order and good government, his deep and tender attachment to his family and friends, I think his chief virtue was charity, and that most comprehensive and beautiful word should be inscribed on his tomb. NOAH DAVIS. From Mr. Henry Rice, President Uiiited Hebrew Charities. Conscious that my limited power of expression would be inadequate to the great significance of the occasion I will only say, that the Hebrew Orphan Asylum not only loses, in the death of Jesse Seligman one of its beloved founders and firm supporters, but the world parts from one of its ablest pro- tectors. His serene, cheerful and ever hopeful temperament was constitutional with him, and none like Jesse Seligman spoke and acted for the poor Russian exiles, driven from their native soil for religion's (?) sake under many trying circum- stances. His was also a deep rehgious nature, but revolted against legendary and ceremonial usages that had outgrown their valid use, under more liberal views. His loyalty to his adopted country was of the Puritan type: staunch and immov- able. He lived and labored for his fellow-men. The world was his country, — to do good, his religion. A noble human life has ended, and the world is largely a loser. Very truly, HENRY RICE. From Henry G. Marquand, Esq., President Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York, April 27th, 1894. I was not brought in contact with the late Jesse Seligman as often as many others, but during twenty years or more I saw enough of him to form a very high opinion of his worth 24 JESSE SELIGMAN as a citizen of this Republic. His views were always of the- broad and generous stamp. They were not confined to the various schemes of philanthropy, but extended to enterprises relating to high culture at home and abroad, and by contact with him it was easy to see how quickly his sympathies were aroused in favor of everything good. J am sure no one could ever charge him with a mean or low-toned act. Only a few hours before he left to go on his trip to improve his health, I heard him speak in severest terms about the character of a person who had done some unjust act. It is refreshmg to say that though he was successful in acquiring riches, he was not a worshiper of money, but used it freely for good purposes. I shall always cherish this memory of him. Very sincerely yours, HENRY G. MARQUAND. Front Mr. Jas. H. Hoffman, President of the Hebrew Technical Institute. Gladly would I avail myself of your invitation to say a few words in reminiscence of my revered friend, the late Jesse Seligman, but I find it difficult to compress into a necessarily limited space that of which the heart is full to overflowing. It has been my privilege to serve with and under him in the Boards of the Orphan Asylum, the Hebrew Technical insti- tute and the Baron de Hirsch Fund, and if there was one feeling predominant that he inspired me with in all these relations, it was that of a love akin to reverence for the beautiful traits of character he displayed on all occasions. Often he reminded me of Goethe's saying, ''Das Leben eines Menschen ist sein character " (Man's life is his character), and his was an all-around development of a wise, genial and sincere man. Meeting him regularly Friday evenings in our Temple. I had occasion to become impressed with the fervor of his devotion and attachment to the sacred faith of our fathers. In him was manifested that spirit of Ehrfurcht (reverence) for what is above, around and beneath us, which the master I have cited declared to be the essence of all religion, whether while acting as presiding officer, or while TRIBUTES 25 in the ranks of his associates, or Hstening to the tale of sorrow and woe of a poor widow asking to have her fatherless child admitted to the Asylum. An evidence of the fruit his lif^ has borne will be exhibited at the annual meeting of the Orphan Asylum about to be held, consisting of specimens of the handicraft of wards of the Orphan Asylum who are pre- sent pupils of the Hebrew Technical Institute, such as elec- trical and other scientific instruments of the greatest delicacy, and of workmanship in metal shaping, drilling, machine fit- ting, also in joinery and wood carving, architectural and machine drawing, and others. To his generous aid in the incipiency of this movement, and his constant encouragement and words of cheer when others began to falter and doubt, because of obstacles that arose at times, the assured success and promise of growing usefulness in the social redemption of the poor of our race is largely due. Who knows but that in after times this may be the corner-stone of the monument he has erected to himself, as an incentive for emulation and a blessing to future generations. Faithfully yours, JAS. H. HOFFMAN. From Mr. John A. Stewart. President of the United States Trust Co. Jesse Seligman I knew somewhat intimately for thirty years> and considered it a high privilege to enjoy his confidence. In all the relations of life, whether as a public-spirited citizen, appreciating its privileges and bearing its responsibilities, or as an eminently successful business man, he readily com- manded the respect of those with whom he was brought in contact. His judgment, always sound upon financial ques- tions, was frequently sought by those in official position. To my mind, his most striking characteristic, and one which rarely accompanies such decided convictions as he held upon most questions, was his marked fairness to those who enter- tained opposite views. During all our long and frequent intercourses, I never heard Mr. Seligman utter a mean or unkind remark of any one. His personal friends were not 26 JESSE SELIGMAN limited to members of liis own faith, but appeared to me to be equally numerous among those of other creeds, and his benefactions were never limited by race or nation. The death of such a man is a great loss to the community and the country. JOHN A. STEWART. From ^Ir. Edw.vrd Lautekkach, Director Hebreiu Orphan A syiiivi. If it were vouchsafed to any man to make adequate record of the greatness of the life of Jesse Seligman. a hero would be depicted for whom hardly a peer could be found m all the proud annals of the many famous Israelites whose names decorate the pages of history. I am not able to do justice to the subject. The proper portrayal of such a character, pre-eminent in everything that he undertook, would require the pen of a genius. Possessed of the soundest business sense and judgment, of courage, dash and unequalled enterprise, conceiving schemes of boundless importance and successfully accomplishing them, surmounting diflficulties appaUing to the ordinary mind, he was equal as a man of enterprise to the strongest of the few marvelous men. adepts in finance, fertile in resource and in corporate management that this age has produced. But those who rank with him in these attributes of mind and brain were outranked by him in attributes of heart seldom possessed and never equalled by the other great masters of this century. On the contrary, with others the greater the achievement the less the deserved commendation ; with him the more marvelous the result, the more general the acclaim, for while the methods of others might be the subject of criticism, his ways, direct, open, disingenuous and sincere, were always commendable. With others the only test of merit was suc- cess; with him success was meritorious only when the means of achieving it were as worthy as the result to be achieved. To have been successful in these affairs would of itself have been all that could reasonably be expected from the life-work TRIBUTES 27 of any single man, but these were the least of his accom- plishments. Israel has always been a leader in great charitable enter- prises. He assumed the leadership in Israel, and at once raised the grade of achievement in respect of eleemosynary work far beyond the wildest dreams of philanthropists of earlier times. As the head of the Orphan Asylum, he frowned down per- functory performance of duty, and exhibited a steady, uninter- mittent sacrifice of time, energy and influence that, employed for his own personal advantage or for his own selfish ends, would have secured additional triumphs to those he so abundantly achieved in his business enterprises. The contagious example of his sacrifice in tlie interest of that institution, and the many affiliated charitable organiza- tions which grew from that same root, such as the United Hebrew Charities, the Hebrew Technical Institute, the various Emergency Funds, and the host of other similar charitable enterprises that had their origin in the Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum Society, established a standard for those in kindred associations, the Hospitals, the Home lor Aged and the Home for Chronic Invalids, and the rest, that have made the name of Jewish charitable societies the synonym of excellence. Turn from these aspects of his career and regard him as a citizen ! Again what a marvel ! Only recently an adopted citizen, and yet we find him in 1847 at ihe head of the Law and Order Society, the Vigilance Committee of San Francisco. Chafing under the restraints of mercantile pursuits, he co- operated with that other great master mind, his brother Joseph, in the establishment of banking houses on both sides of the Atlantic ; they and their brothers upheld the arms of the great national government, gave strength to its depleted body, sustained its credit in the hour of despondency and gloom at the critical period when the rest of the world's finan- ciers were chary in their assistance and niggardly in their aid. From the auspicious moment when J and W. Seligman & Co. and its affiliated houses abroad tendered aid to the 28 JESSE SELIGMAN government, its jeopardy ceaced, and from thai time to this that house and its members have been distinguished by loyalty, self-sacrifice and devotion to their country's in- terests. The founder of great railroad systems, the ally of Montefiore, the steward of the benefactions of Baron de Hirsch, while dispensing his own bounties munificently, the champion of the down-trodden and oppressed of his race in every quarter of the globe, eminent in every walk of life, he was still as simple as a child, approachable, kindly, courteous and forgiving. An -'uncrowned king" he was, better pleased to distribute among his fellows the jewels of the diadem that the world would have pressed upon his brow, than himself to submit to a deserved adornment. We adore the man, we reverence his memory. I write thus warmly, for it has been my proud lot for twenty years to have been associated with him in business matters, in charitable undertakings, in the pursuit of political policies, and I know whereof and of whom I write. I had the priceless boon of his friendship, and esteem it as one of the most priceless possessions of which I can boast. You ask for reminiscences, probably referring to some individual incidents in his career, but that whole career has been so marked with a succession of incidents one more remarkable than the other in their evidence of his honesty, candor, self- sacrifice and disinterestedness, that it would be invidious to remark any one as more typical of his life than any other. Very truly yours, EDW. LAUTERBACH. Fro7n Ex-M.\voK Hewitt. I am very grateful to you for the opportunity of giving expression to the profound regret which, in common with all good citizens, I feel for the loss of the late Jesse Seligman, whose admirable character has earned for him the love and respect of his friends and of the public, whom he was always ready to serve with his labor and the means which he had TRIBUTES 29 acquired through industry, integrity and a very high order of abihty. I do not remember a more interesting occasion than the dinner which was tendered to him by his friends and admirers prior to his departure for Europe about two years ago. Mr. Sehgmaa's address on that occasion was a model of simpUcity and natural eloquence. The story of his life as told by himself should be reproduced in your paper as the very best commentary upon his career, and as an encourage- ment to all young men who are starting out upon the journey of life. His family have reason to feel very proud of a man who, in the face of his prosperity and success, never forgot the humble beginnings from which he worked his way on to for- tune and to an eminent position in the hearts of his fellow- citizens. Perhaps the most admirable trait in his character was his catholic charity for the opinions of others, and his willingness to co-operate in every good movement without regard to creed or race. Yours respectfully, ABRAM S HEWITT. From Mr. Lyman G. Bloomingd.-vle, Director of the Afontefiore Home. * * * He leaves behind him the example of his life as a legacy to his race. Let his name be revered and his memory blessed. LYMAN G. BLOOMINGDALE. From Mrs. M. D. Louis, Preside fit of the Louis Down-Town Daily and Sabbath School. Though it was never my good fortune to have been in any way associated with Mr. Jesse Seligman, yet, when a worthy, valuable citizen dies it is a sad but choice privilege to join in the threnody that sorrowing souls intone. Great deeds, like swollen streams, occur occasionally in a life, and when the effort is expended the life lapses into almost inertia till irresistible force pushes it on again ; it is the calm, even current that assures reliance, the quiet, even tenor 30 JESSE SELIGMAN that presages steady, safe progress. One is reminded of this when recalling the character of the departed. Visiting at the Orphan Asylum one day in midsummer, when most of its officers were spending their leisure in country retreats, I heard from Dr. Baar, with mingled surprise and admiration, that the honored President of the institution made the Asylum his customary retreat, bringmg himself in actual bodily touch with the labor he had, by wise admmistration, so materially advanced. It gave a new insight into the heart of the busy, great man. The loss to a community of a nature of such universality is indeed to be mourned. But while we raise our voice in lamentation, we yet praise the Lord for having blessed us with the life and work of Jesse Seligman. Yours sincerely, MINNIE D. LOUIS. From Hon. Isidor Straus, President of the Edueatiotial Alliance. Epitaphs are usually supposed to extol the virtues of the departed, and throw the mantle of charity over his foibles. No such consideration need be had with the memory of Jesse Seligman. His works have engraven a tablet more lasting than any monument of marble. The story of his life and its lessons may be related with profit to every struggling youth. Few men have succeeded in leaving such favorable imprints in so many walks of life; and his career, whether as merchant, banker, friend, citizen or philanthropist, may well serve as a model to the thousands of his wards scattered over the length and breadth of this country. ISIDOR STRAUS. From Gen'l Horace Porter. The news of the death of Jesse Seligman has fallen upon many of the most prominent business men in New York with something akin to the grief of a personal bereavement. Few of our citizens have been more generally known or more TRIBUTES 31 highly esteemed. His sudden removal from the company of his friends and from the active walks of business life, brings a deep regret to many hearts and recalls the admirable traits which adorned his character. My personal acquaintance with him began a few years after the War. I had before that time heard officers of the army and others speak in admiring terms of him during his sojourn on the Pacific Coast, where he had displayed so much public spirit and such indomitable courage at the time the law-abiding citizens were trying to redeem that community from the domination of the criminal classes. I found him displaying the same qualities in the metropolis which had commended hmi to his fellow-citizens in the West. He had been loyally devoted to the cause of the Union in the great struggle for the preservation of its integrity and was always an ardent laborer in all good works. He was never known to be anything but fearless in the advocacy of the principles he believed to be right, and always manifested his faith by his works. 1 le was generous to a fault, and few men in the country have been more liberal in contributing to worthy objects. He was so modest in the conduct of his charities, that perhaps the world will never know the amount of his means which he devoted to such purposes. In the complicated negotiations which often arise in business enter- prises of magnitude, he always leaned toward harmony and the avoidance of personal animosities. In business under- takings, his advice was constantly sought and his judgment always carried great weight. While he had positive convic- tions on all subjects, he was exceedingly liberal in his views and did not entertain personal dislike because men differed with him in opinion. For many years he had been a familiar figure in our city, and it was hoped by his friends that he might be spared many years longer to enjoy the position which he had won for himself — but Providence decided other- wise. Though taken from the presence of his friends and acquaintances, he will always live in their recollections and will be spoken of with admiration and respect as long as manly traits are appreciated or human virtues are honored HORACE PORTER. 32 JESSE SELIGMAN Frotn Mk. Morris Tuska, Trustee of the Hebrew Orphan Asylu7n. Among the many remembrances I have of our late worthy President, Mr. Jesse Seligman, no feature of his activity has impressed me more than the great interest he took in our former Industrial School and its numerous mmates, in their old quarters, 77 th Street and Third Avenue. He was, in fact, the very soul of the whole establishment. 1 recollect that either at the Barmitzvah or at the confirma- tion of one of his sons he sent his check for a thousand dollars for the purpose of teaching the children printing, and great was his pleasure when the asylum engaged the late Sol. Arnheim, a most efficient printer, and, in fact, a master of his art. Many printers who to-day hold excellent places and earn good livings were pupils of Arnheim, and owe their success in life to this school, and, of course, to Mr. Seligman. A notable instance is Mr. Stettiner, of the firm of Stettiner, Lambert & Co. One can imagine how great an interest the late Jesse Seligman took in the Industrial School, when almost every week he invited Mr. Arnheim to his house to discuss there with him matters concerning the school. In this work Mr. Seligman was fortunate in finding in Mr. Elfelt, the chairman, a faithful and earnest co-worker. It was only the removal of the Asylum to its present distant site which could have induced Mr. Seligman fo give up his pet and favorite school. I have often heard him say that if he had done anything, he had at least awakened in the young a taste and inclination for mechanical labor and trades. I cannot say what he thought of technical schools, but, as I know his views and opinions so well, I think I am justified in stating that his preference was for practical trade schools. The noble and imposing demeanor of Mr. Seligman always attracted me, and in my long career as trustee of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum, in which capacity I came almost weekly in contact with him, I have ever found him friendly in manner, kind in word, courteous and polite on all occasions, and pos- sessing a warm and an open heart, from which flowed love and good will towards all. TRIBUTES T,;^ In conclusion, I can only add that my associations with Mr. Sehgman during this long, long period, will ever belong to the dearest and sweetest remembrances of my life. MORRIS TUSKA. From Mr. I. S. Isaacs, Hon. Secretary United Hebrew Charities. He was consistent in his genial bearing towards all. My first recollection of his kind face and gentle voice is as my last; he was always the gentleman. He seldom said " No," if he could help it ; and if the question asked admitted of no different answer, his declination was so gently given,with such evident good faith, that it was robbed of all unpleasantness. In the early days,when local Judaism was divided into camps differing in mere ritual, he was the peacemaker; with Jesse Seligman there could be no quarrel. His patriotism was proverbial, his integrity a lesson to financiers. I. S. ISAACS. From Mr. Emanuel Lehman, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Hebrew Orphan Asylum. In all communities, be they large or small, the pre-eminent assert themselves. In fact, it seems a natural sequence in the ordination of human affairs that those best endowed take the lead and are willingly followed and heeded. Such a man was Jesse Seligman, so long our worthy cham- pion and wiser guide, who has now so suddenly been called from our midst: and of him who has been our pride and our support, it may be truly said, *' A noble soul has taken its flight." To me, who have known him so many years, the loss seems irreparable, and though I sorely grieve, I feel that his worth awakens sorrow in all, and never was a man — humanity's great friend — more justly mourned. It is slight tribute to speak good of him, of whom none could say aught else. His whole life has been one of devo- tion to every good cause, appealing to all our citizens, all our race. For many years it has been my privilege to count him a 34 JESSE SELIGMAN near neighbor and dear friend, an association which will ever be a satisfaction. He was a man of the purest ideals ; his purposes the most lofty, and 1 have never met any one of a more charitable instinct. To his credit be it said, his heart knew no creed, no race, no section. As a parent, however, seems to cling more tenderly to the weakling amongst all his beloved family, so 1 think that a little more of his affection went out to the poor orphan children of our large family, and I believe that the great institution, to which his name will ever be linked had become a part and parcel of his existence. Nor do I think I am doing an injustice to any of the many others who have co-operated, when I say that to him mainly is it due that the Orphan Asylum stands to-day an honor and an ornament to our city, and a pride to our faith, while I only repeat here what he has so frequently observed to me, — " May those who come after us guard the cause as carefully and as earnestly as we have endeavored to do," — a pure wish, which deserves fulfilment. His responsive heart was ever open to every appeal, and it is needless to advert at length to his multitudinous efforts, in every charitable undertaking. He was directly concerned in all. On a certain occasion, when the Jewish residents of this city joined to do him honor, he aptly remarked that he had played many parts in life, and these words, with his happy face, recur vividly to me in these sad hours. He did play many parts. — all of them well, — and the world, which were his auditors, applauded his every role. He was of singular modesty, with the sole ambition to do good, and it is strange that the natural aspirations of mankind for political and social distinction should have been so curbed in him. He was offered the highest preferment, and, eminently fitted to fill the same, still refused the many distinctions that came to his hand. What a noble instance of the simplicity of character, and what a beautiful example to the restless and feverish spirit of the times ! His public and private position won him respect and esteem on the one side, and affection and devotion on the other. He was amongst our foremost citizens, recog- nized for his patriotism and public services, and, to those of TRIBUTES 35 our faith, where he was the leader — a model and a source of universal pride, — his memory will ever be revered. To those in close association with him, hfe will show a great void, for to have known him was to have cherished and to have loved him— the world is much the poorer since his going — and of such as him it is written : " Mercy and Truth are met together; Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other ; And Righteousness shall look down from heaven." E. LEHMAN. From Mr. Cornelius N. Bliss. Jesse Seligman is dead. I saw him at his office two days before he left for California, and was so impressed with his changed appearance that the inteUigence, although a shock, was not wholly surprising. I have known Mr. Seligman for many years, intimately since 1S84. He was always the same kindly, genial gentleman, possessing the absolute confidence of his friends. No truer friend, once in Jesse's confidence, did man ever have. With his partners, his brothers, he has been of inestimable service to the U. S. Government from the time of the Civil War. A believer in Republican principles, he was a quiet but all- important influence in the counsels of his party. Sagiacious in counsel, always for peace and unity, liberal in view, render- ing to all their just dues. He will be sorely missed in all circles — social, charitable, business and political. C. N. BLISS. From Mr. Morris Goodhart, President of the Hebrew Sheltering Guardian Society. My acquaintance with the late Jesse Seligman dates back to the year 1869, when I came to New York. I had a letter of introduction to him from Mr. Justice Hinman, the then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Errors of the State of Connecticut, who had been a warm personal friend of his. He received me in a most cordial way, and, with his always affable manner, assured me that if there was anything he could do to further my interests in New York he would be 36 JESSE SELIGMAN glad to do so. From that moment I enjoyed his continued friendship. I always found him deeply interested in all that was good and noble. In frequent conversations with him about communal affairs, he was most anxious that our co- religionists should be impressed with the great opportunities afforded to them in this land of liberty and freedom. What he most desired was that they should maintain a reputation for good, honest citizenship, and that every effort should be made to so educate the dependents in our orphan asylums that they should become self-sustaining and appreciate the beneficence of the State in making liberal allowances for their maintenance and support. As is well known, Mr. Seligman's benefactions were numerous and liberal, though quiet and unostentatious. The death of such a man leaves many a home desolate, and will cause ceaseless pain to suffering humanity, especially to those who were the recipients of his manifold bounties. In fact, his whole soul— yes, the embodi- ment of his whole Ufe — is best expressed in his own words, uttered by him at the banquet of the semi-centennial of the Order of Bne B'rith last October: "Charity: This word excludes no benevolence, and includes every beneficence by which humanity is lifted higher and higher. It is not circum- scribed by creed, and is as broad as religion itself. It is, in fact, the translation of creed into deed." The moral worth of such a man it is difficult to estimate. It is priceless ; it is beyond compare. MORRIS GOODHART. From Mr. J. Edward Simmons, Prcsidoit 4th National Bank. By the death of Jesse Seligman, the business community loses one of its most progressive, honest, upright men, and the City of New York is deprived of the services of one of its most public-spirited and high-toned citizens. No commend- able public enterprise was without his support, and he was always ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and the needy. J. EDWARD SIMMONS. TRIBUTES 37 From Mr. Myer Stern, Secretary Hebrew Orphan Asylum. An association of a third of a century with Jesse Seh'gman knitted him closely to me, and I feel like one astray now that he has gone from us. I could recall many a reminiscence of the man that showed his sturdy character and his tender heart had I the time to collect my thoughts. In fact, if once the treasure-house of my memory were opened, the flow would be well-nigh unceasing. I recall an incident, however, that I witnessed when his guest at Long Branch and elsewhere of his conduct towards animals which illustrates his tenderness and thoughtfulness. I have seen him leave his house in the early morning, when those about him were yet in slumber, and walk to his stables with sugar in one hand, and carrots, etc., in the other. As he approached the door, the noble animals, recognizing his footsteps, neighed cheerily, as though bidding him good-morning. As he came up to them, they laid their heads upon his shoulders and ate the tid-bits he offered them. The same tenderness that he showed his ani- mals was manifested to the most lowly human being that came in contact with him. No better proof of his humanity and his open-heartedness can be given than the incident that occurred on a trip that he made to the Pacific Coast a few years ago. He was traveling with his family in a private car, which was, of course, stocked with all the household requirements and with a large supply of food and delicacies. Their train was overtaken by a snow- storm and stuck in a snow-drift, which the engineer made every effort to push through. For two days or more, I believe, the train was delayed here, it being impossible to go forward or backward. The suffering among the passengers, especially the women and children, was intense, for there was no way at hand of supplying their wants. It was not for Jesse Seligman to stand by and see such suffering while his car was stocked with provisions, and he directed that the tables be set, and invited those that wished to enter and partake of nourishing food, and the blessings of about two hundred hungry men, women and children went heavenward for the bounty of Jesse Seligman and his family. MYER STERN. 38 JESSE SELIGMAN Prom Mr. Ciiaki.ks L. Bernheim, President Home for Aged and hijirin. It affords me very great pleasure to pay my tribute of respect to the memory of Jesse Seligman. His activity in every philanthropic and patriotic movement entitles him to the respect, admiration and love of all his fellow-citizens. In his judgment, no movement whose aim was noble or elevating was too narrow or too broad to be denied his sympathy and support. As one who has been identified with him in some of these movements, it is not only a pleasure, but a duty, to acknow- ledge the pre-eminence of his services, and the great void caused by his too early death. Yours very truly, CHARLES L. BERNHEIM. Yrom Mr. Lewis May, President Temple Ejnanu-Ei. I have received your communication asking me to give you some reminiscences of my intercourse with the late Jesse Seligman. I greatly regret that I am unable to comply with your request. Our friendship has existed uninterruptedly during a period of forty-one years ; and were I to attempt to write down all that I think and feel at this moment, I should require the entire space of your valuable journal. And even that would not suffice for a description ot one so beloved and esteemed of every one who had the good fortune to know him. Few men were so cherished by their friends or so admired by their fellow-citizens. I am, dear sir, Very truly yours, LEWIS MAY. From Mr. Uriah Herrmann. Reformed and orthodox Hebrews must mourn his loss. He was foremost in assisting me as President of the Fair for the benefit of the Congregation Shaaray Tefila in 1880, and his co-operation was of great value to the enterprise. URIAH HERRMANN. TRIBUTES 39 From Miss Julia Richman, Principal Grammar School No. yy. Mr Seligman's death brings with it a deep regret that so valuable a member of our community has been called away from the work for which he was so pre-eminently fitted. May the influence of his life and example stimulate others to do God s work in the way he did, so that when death takes each in turn he may leave behind him like Mr. Seligman, a •noble record, as a man as a citizen and as a Jew. Yours sincerely, JULIA RICHMAN. From Hon. A. S. Solomons, Sedy Baron De Hirsch Fund. A great Jew has been called unto his fathers. Great, not that he was a profound scholar ; great, not because he was an exceptionally successful man ; great, not on account of his Vast popularity ; but great that not only he was a wise and a just man, but greater than all because his great heart went out unreservedly to his fellow-man, and, whether sunshine or darkness hovered over their houses, he could always be counted upon as '' a friend indeed." His cheery face, which was seldom swept by a cloud, was in itself a panacea for '' the ills that flesh is heir to," and buoyed up many a sinking spirit even more than the goodly bank check so deferentially and stealthily tendered, for he never flung things at people, but smoothed out the wrinkles of care with "words fitly spoken," and wreathed in a smiling halo all his own. Possessing very decided political affiliations, he was always tolerant of the opinions of others, believing that no one party or any one rehgion had a monopoly in all of the good things in this life or in the broader hfe beyond the tomb. His race pride was paramount to all else besides, and he never lost confidence in the sustaining power of immigrant Jews, whether as scholars, mechanics, agriculturists, manu- facturers or traders, providing liberty be accorded to them in the true American sense, and that the arm of the law, and even the still greater power of public opinion, be, as it always is when squarely put to the test, unprejudiced, and therefore ^' truly just to all, and especially so to the people of the 40 JESSE SEIvlGMAN Book," who have given to the Christian world their Savior, and who are to-day the peers, if not the leaders, in promoting benevolence, science, music, art and all those other God- given qualities which elevate and make happy the human race. Jesse Seligman was an inspiration personified and crystal- lized in prismatic beauties. His influence for good was irre- sistible, and this quality was never manifested in a greater degree than when, at a large dinner given to him by his friends just as he was about to sail for Europe about two years ago, and when the Russian Jews, driven from the homes of their childhood by a fanatically religious brute of a Czar, for no other reason than because they obstinately refused to barter their consciences for worldly benefits, Jesse Seligman's influence then, as always, came to the front in an impromptu collection of over one hundred thousand dollars by the guests for the assistance of those poor exiles, made poor by robbery on the part of the Russian Government, whose officers were not too high or too "poor to do reverence" to the very last rouble found concealed upon the persons of those who were literally thrust out of their God-forsaken, uncivilized and un- christian land. Apparently small things sometimes show the drift of the minds of men, and open up a vista of their innate thoughts more striking than by public acts of moment. This, to the writer, found illustration in the following incident: In his dual capacity as a Trustee and the Treasurer of the Baron de Hirsch Fund, he was at his best, and, however much he was occupied in his banking-house or in his home, he always found time to give careful consideration to any subject brought to his attention, and, with his clear concep- tion of the situation, while always protecting the best interests of the Fund, would lean just a little to the merciful side of the case, and, if at all possible, his assent was invariably given to the applicant's appeal. This rule he applied in his own business, and how well he conducted it goes without saying. Affability was his predominant trait, and, as it was so truth- fully said of the late honored James G. Blaine, his "No" was TRIBUTES 41 SO kindly pronounced that it sounded like a ''Yes" in disguise. At a sumptuous dinner recently given at his house to a score of his gentlemen friends, his tact in bringing out the sahent features of character of every person present, and so eliciting happy responses from each free from ordinary con- ventionalities, was the subject of general remark and admira- tion. There, as elsewhere, he was always the courteous, old- time, unaffected gentleman, whose number, with regret be it said, are fast diminishing. These qualities endeared him to such men as Lincoln, Chase, Grant, Harrison, and most of the prominent statesmen, merchants and financiers of our day, and made him welcome everywhere. Almost at any time he could have been made a Republican candidate for the Mayoralty of our city, while the Seth Low Charity Com- mittee never submitted a report on the disposition of the immense sums they collected without first consulting him in private as to the proportion to be allotted to each charitable organization for its disposal. He was a worthy representa- tive of the Jews of New York and throughout the world, and was respected by all classes. His place will indeed be hard to fill. The day before he was bade good-by to on his veritable "last journey" in hfe, he said: "I do so regret to leave just now, because the annual meeting of our Orphan Asylum takes place in a few weeks, and I dislike so much to be absent." So his last as well as his first thoughts were with his wards — his darling orphaned children, whom God gave to his gentle and fatherly keeping. But alas ! his dear soul has now "joined the choir invisible of the immortal dead, who live again in minds made better by their presence.'' A. S. SOLOMONS. From Mr. Joel B. Erhardt. I have known Jesse Seligman for nearly a quarter of a cen- tury. Appreciation of his worth grew with the acquaintance- ship. He was generous, without ostentation, with no charac- teristic of the bigot. He was a broad-gauge thinker, and believed in true manhood, and was an enemy of no creed — 43 JESSE SELIGMAN believed that there were good men and bad men in all. He was forgiving and gentle in his manner, and died hating no one. His place cannot well be supplied. JOEL B. ERHARDT. Frofit Elihu Root, Esq. It will require more than a first or a second thought to fully appreciate how great a loss we have suffered in the death of Jesse Seligman. I can think of absolutely no one who can take his place as he took that of his brother Joseph. I knew him for many years — first as a Republican, always earnest and devoted ; afterwards in closer and more personal relations. During all these years, I came to have not only a very high ' esteem for his many admirable qualities, but a very warm regard for the man. He was not only sagacious and successful in business, he was broad and just in his judgment, of a serene and kindly disposition, steadfast and warm in his friendships, and faithful to every cause which he espoused. Few men would be so deeply mourned by those of other faiths and other races ; few deserve it as much as he. ELIHU ROOT. From Mr. Wm. P. St. John, President Mercantile National Bank. The extraordinary disadvantages that were overcome by Jesse Seligman to eminent achievement in the business world, will be told and told again for the encouragement of Young America. That such contention in his early struggles did not sour his disposition and make him cynical and supremely self- ish in relation to his fellows, is remarkable. My brief testi- mony, therefore, is to this noteworthy one of his conspicuous characteristics — namely, that at all times, on all occasions, under all circumstances, he was the self-possessed but genial and considerate gentleman. WILLIAM P. ST. JOHN. Front Hon. M. Elunger, Editor Menorah Monthly Magazine , There are but few Israelites who took an active part in one or the other of the public movements affecting the life and TRIBUTES 43 fortune of the Jewish community, who did not have an oppor- tunity of meeting the late Jesse Sehgman and be struck by his earnestness, his kind and benevolent disposition, and his un- ■selfish devotion to the welfare of the people. Let me recall, at this time, the part which he took in organizing the concen- trated energies of the Jewish community for the relief of those hapless victims who were fortunate enough to escape from the Russian house of bondage when the Czar's Government, in 1889, inaugurated that terrible Jew-baiting, which compelled thousands to leave home and the spot upon which their cradle and that of their children stood, in fear of their lives. The •calamity was so great that every emigrant ship brought hun- dreds of these unfortunate refugees, and it needed the efforts of the Jews of the whole country to meet the emergency; but it became soon apparent that the burden was too great to be borne by the American people alone. Means were required not only to relieve the immediate needs of the emigrants as they arrived, to find food, shelter and garments for them, but to devise ways and means that would enable them to earn a livelihood for themselves and their families. Co operation was sought with the Jews abroad, and a committee organized for the purpose of securing concentrated efforts at home and practical assistance from abroad. Mr. Jesse Seligman went into the work with his whole soul, and it was deemed essential to send representatives to Europe, to lay the matter before the Jewish communities there. Mr. Seligman was very anxious to have the late Dr. Lilienthal go as one of the delegates, but death suddenly carried him off before he was ready to leave. I then met Mr. Seligman almost every day for a number of weeks, and became really attached to the kind, benevolent man, who seemed more anxious to attend to this grand enterprise and secure success than to wait upon his own business. His countenance beamed with enthusiasm, and I could not help but say to myself that I had met in him one of those rare souls whose love and com- passion is in unison with the Divine love which rules the ■world. M. ELLINGER. 44 ' JESSE SEUGMAN From Hon. Myek S. Isaacs, Chcxirvian Baron De Ilirsch Fund. Mr. Seligman was distinguished for tact, refinement and amiability. His manner was peculiarly his own. You could not refrain from loving and admiring him " as one who loved his fellow-men." His benevolent disposition is universally recognized. He possessed, however, the rare faculty of inspir- ing others to philanthropic work. His exemplary life was itself a boon. " He loved peace and pursued it.'" His hopefulness was infectious — "he would not give up the ship,'' though the particular cause in which he and his colleagues were enlisted involved constant anxiety and disappointment. It was impossible to be associated with him and not to feel that he contributed to the happiness of humanity. He was a model citizen. M. S. ISAACS. From Mk. John Sloank. The death of Mr. Jesse Seligman is a great loss not only to this community, but to the entire country. Fie was always loyal and true to his party and to the Government. In the darkest days of the war, he never failed to respond for aid to maintain the Government. He was fortunate in having a host of friends, and his friendship was always strong and tender. We shall long miss his friendly greeting, and his place in the community will be difficult to fill. JOHN SLOANE. From Mr. E. B. Harper, President Mutual Reserve Fund Life A ssociation. Few names in the financial and business world of New York are better known than that of Jesse Seligman, financier, banker, philanthropist and citizen. It may truly be said of Mr. Seligman that he attained one of the highest positions of good citizenship in the metropolis of the nation. While, strictly speaking, a financier, he was ever ready to brmg capital, business experience and financial ability into the broader industrial enterprises of the nation, which, in their building up, employ labor, pay out vast sums in wages, add comfort to the masses, and bring prosperity to the country. TRIBUTES 45 He was not a mere banker, but closely identified with sound enterprises, which have built up the Empire State and devel- oped the resources of the Republic. He was a man to be respected, to be looked up to, and his career, as it seems to me, is one that may well be studied to advantage by the youth of his race and his country. The Hebrew race has undoubt- edly given to the world more of the most extraordinary in- stances of great wealth, but, at the same time, it had produced many of the greatest philanthropists the world has ever known. In this respect, Mr. Seligman resembled such men as George W. Childs, ever ready to aid those willing to help themselves, succor the distressed, and freely contributing not only to charities, but in all questions requiring generosity and public spirit. He was an honored Repubhcan, believing in the principles of the party of progress, and the party whose principles carry comfort and contentment to American homes. It is difficult to sum up in a few words such men as Mr. Seligman. He was a man who, by his example, as well as his action, benefited the community of which he was an hon- ored member, and his death will be greatly regretted, not only by those who knew him intimately, but the whole com- munity, because his demise will be a real loss to them. Our wealth of humanity is not so great, even in this great city, that we can afford to lose many such citizens. E. B. HARPER. From Mr. Wm. L. Strong, President Central National Bank. Over one-third of a century has passed since I first made the acquaintance of Jesse Seligman, and during all these years my personal relations with him have been intimate, both in the business and charitable world, as well as in politics, and I have always found him a true American gentleman, although of Hebrew persuasion. His character and principles could be emulated by any nationality. He was truly the peer of any man, and the country of his adoption is better by his hav- ing lived in it. Respectfully yours, W. L. STRONG. 46 JESSE SELIGMAN From Mr. S. Kakeles, Sexton Temple Emanu-El. During the war, when there was much suffering, caused by the absence of the bread winners, who were on the battle field, Mr. Seligman frequently gave me sums of money and orders for coal, to be given to worthy families that came to my notice, stipulating that not less than $5.00 should be given in a single case. S. KAKELES. ^Txc funeral. The body of Mr. Seligman was brought on in a special train which left California on Thursday and reached New York Monday night. It was accompanied by the widow, sons and daughters of the deceased, and the party waS met at Albany by Mr. James Seligman and other members of the family. On the arrival of the train at the Grand Central Depot, there were in waiting the full Board of Trustees of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum and a large number of relatives and friends, who escorted the remains to Temple Emanu-El, the family going to their home, 2 E. 46th Street. It had been intended to have a mask taken by the eminent sculptor, Moses Ezekiel of Rome, who is at present in New York, to be used in carving a figure of Mr. Seligman, but the operation was postponed. The funeral services were held in Temple Emanu-El on Wednesday morning. The Reader's desk was draped in black, and upon the platform were seated 150 children from the Orphan Asylum, most of them little tots, whose rosy cheeks and cheerful looks betokened the care that is taken of them. The auditorium of the building was pretty well taken up by the members and relatives of the different branches of the Seligman family and by representatives of the following organizations, which had asked the privilege of taking part : Trustees of the Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum Society, Directors of the United Hebrew Charities, of the Hebrew Technical Institute, the Montefiore Home, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Home for Aged and Infirm, General Committee of the I. O. B. B,, Purim Association, Seligman Solomon Society, Ladies' Sewing Society of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum, Ladies' Auxiliary Society of Mount Sinai Hospital, Jewish Ministers' Association, Baron de Hirsch Fund Officers, Y.M.H.A., the Hebrew Free School, Aguilar Free Library, the Educational Alliance, the Louis Down- Town Sabbath School, Cantors' Association, and Lebanon Hospital. 48 JESSE SELIGMAN The arrangements at the Temple were in charge of a com- mittee consisting of iM. H. Moses, Chairman, and Louis Stern. S. M. Schafer and Jacob F. Bamberger. Thanks to the close attention in advance to all the details, on the part of the Chairman, there was little confusion in spite of the vast assemblage present, within and without the building. The pall-bearers were : Hon. Seth Low, Mr. Cornelius N. Bliss, Mr. Henry Rice, Mr. John A. Stewart, Hon. Oscar S. Straus, Genl. Horace Porter, Mr. Lewis May, Hon. Abram S. Hewitt, Hon. Thomas F. Gilroy, Mr. Emanuel Lehman, Mr. Thomas Dolan, Mr. Louis Gans, Hon. John Wanamaker, Hon. Carl Schurz, Mr. Chas. L. Bernheim, Col. John J. McCook, Mr. Abraham Wolff, Mr. D. Willis James, Mr. A. D. Juillard, C. C. Beaman, Mr. Edwin Einstein, Col. William L. Strong, Hon. WiUiam Walter Phelps, Mr. Hyman Blum, Mr. Myer Stern, Gen'l Benjamin F. Tracy, Hon. William M. Evarts, Mr. Edward Lauterbach, Mr. James McCreery, Hon. Myer S. Isaacs, Mr. John Crosby Brown, Dr. H. Baar, Mr. Julius Goldman, Mr. A. S. Solomons, Mr. James H. Hoffman, Mr. J. Hood Wright, Mr. Chas. Cramp, Col. F. D- Grant, Judge JohnF. Dillon. The musical portion of the service was beautifully and impressively rendered by the Cantor and the choir. As the pall-bearers marched up to the vestibule to receive the remains and accompany them into the Temple, an adagio by Tschai- kow?ky was sweetly rendered by Mr. Victor Herbert on the 'cello, and after the casket was set down, Rev. Wm. Sparger, the Cantor assisted by the choir, sang Shivisi. Rev. Dr. Joseph Silverman then spoke as follows : Funeral Sermon of Dr. Silverman. " I come to bury Jesse Seligman not to praise him. We come together to-day, not to eulogize merely, not to glorify our beloved dead, and thereby ourselves, but simply to take part as servants of God in the triumphal march from earth to heaven. I call this procession triumphal, because it com- memorates the victory of a true life over the annihilation of death. THE FUNERAL 49 " A true life never ends. Its voice only is hushed, its earthly casement only is corrupted. We mourn the silence of that sweet, pathetic, eloquent voice ; we mourn the loss of that stately, grand figure ; we mourn the absence of that majestic and magnetic personality ; we grieve the loss of that potential- ity that might yet have become actual, but we never despair- ingly cry out : 'The end has come; all is over; vain is life.' •~ Those who do not understand will say Jesse Scligman is dead and gone forever. To us, it seems as if he has but begun a grander existence, a sublimer life. '• Can it be that God sent a soul like his on earth in vain ? Can it be that that soul lived and acted amongst us to no purpose ? Can it be that the scintillations of his mind were only like evanescent flashes of a summer's night, that the emotions of his poul rose and fell without purpose as the bil- lows of the sea? Did not rather his thought quicken the thoughts of others, and his heart's beat excite pulsation in the hearts of others? His soul in truth has come in such close touch with the souls of thousands as to have ingrafted its virtues on them. He transplanted much of his higher, better self into his kinsmen, his friends, his colleagues, associates — the world. I would almost say that, even while he lived, part of his soul transmigrated into the bodies of others. He cannot be entirely dead who thus lives on in his own genera- tion, and will live on in posterity. He cannot be dead who has lived so sublimely as to leave a great lustre behind. He cannot be annihilated who has immortalized himself in an . institution which his mind and his heart have inspired and aided materially to bring to a proud consummation. Such a view of this great life brings to mind the words of the poet ; 'I know that, though dead, I hive never died.' ''A life that is beyond the power of death, is beyond the scope of eulogy. It needs no words of man to bring it to recognition. It speaks for itself and commands attention without seeking to gain favor. No words can improve its beauty or its power. As well try to tint the rainbow, or add color to the setting sun, perfume the fresh rose or accompany the song of the birds, as to portray the essence of a great soul. 50 JESSE SELIGMAN *' There are some lives, like that of Jesse Seligman which are subjects for the poet; they are natuie's true poems, poems which interpret the simpHcity and weakness of childhood, the strength and modesty of superior manhood. The souls of such men move with an almost faultless rhythm, through all the intricacies of life and its various relations. " You have certainly seen superior souls in children, which were but the seed that later flower into a noble maturity. And whether you study the man under his parental roof, or at his own domestic hearth in the midst of his beloved family, or in the social circle, or the commercial world, or amongst the poor and the orphan, or in the House of God, you will always find a great soul, a noble mind, a warm and charitable heart ; you will always find truth unvarnished, sterhng integrity, humihty before God, modesty and simplicity before man, and, above all, a feeling of equality with all his fellow-men. Such the world has found in Jesse Seligman. " But some of us whom it was privileged to come closer to him, have found more in him than merely the good man — the great financier. We have found more in him than merely the friend of the poor, the father of the orphan, vastly more than merely the ethical man. We have found in him — the representative Jew. " I do not mean to say that he was a better man simply because of remaining a Jew, but that he thereby demonstrated that he possessed, in addition to all his other estimable virtues, the courage of his rehgious conviction. He was permeated by the faith of his fathers, and manifested much of the ideal- ism of his ancestors. To carry such an idealism into this material world of ours gives evidence of a greatness of soul that is seldom met. And to maintain a consistent, religious life, in spite of all the allurements of the great commercial and social world, betrays somewhat the spirit of a manly heroism. "Just as his frank, open face, with its benign and fatherly smile, was a constant reproach to all untruth, indirection and injustice, so his heroic soul, his religious faith, his consistent creed and deed, were a constant protest against every form of intolerance. " This fact made of him not only a Jew — some would claim THE FUNERAL 5I him a Christian for it, others a Mohammedan, others a Buddhist — it really made of him a true American. As such, he lived loyal to his country in all his relations to her, and as such he died. " But, besdes success, honor and fame, a man must have some comfort in this life. Where did our deceased brother find his ? He knew too well the value of money not to be alwavs cognizant of its utter worthlessness to obtain the true comforts of life. It was no special pride of his to be known throughout the world and to be a power in the land. There is no true comfort in all the things that can be bought. But wherein lay his comfort ? Was it not in the love of his family, of his kinsmen, of his friends, of the world ? You know how he was beloved ; you know how you all loved him ; you know that this demonstration is but the ou' pouring of our love for the man and all that god like character that was in him. And you know, too, that love cannot be bought. There lies its great worth. It has no price ; it can only be gained by love. Many rich men have gone down to a nameless grave unhon- ored and unsung. The heart is a citadel that can only be taken by another heart. And so great was Jesse Seligman's love for truth, goodness, his fellow-man, that he became enshrined in the hearts of all that knew him or knew of him. " From thousands of hearts there comes this one word of love. Mothers repeat his name with affection and teach it to their lisping babes ; the poor linger affectionately on the memory of his unknown goodness ; the invalids on their couches speak of him to one another with the sweets of love and respect. And these children here, and thousands of others like them who had learned to regard him as a father, pay in silence their tribute of love. From these young hearts and from this vast assembly there ascend angels of love to guide his way with seraphic music from earth to heaven. May God receive his soul ! May He enshrine it with the love of his fellow-men, and place it in the great galaxy of a'H the immortals ! Amen." ' ' Cast thy burden upon the Lord " and " Parting and Meeting" were sung by the quartette, composed of Miss 52 JESSE SELIGMAN Fanny Hirsch, Mrs. A. B. Hills, and Messrs. C. Fritsch and C. Blum. Rev. Dr. Gottheil then delivered the funeral address : Oration of Dr. Gottheil. "The complaint of Isaiah, the Seer, that *' the righteous per- isheth, and no man layeth it to heart, and merciful men are taken away, and none considereth," cannot be raised against us, at least not at this time. For of a surety we are laying to heart deeply that this righteous man is lost to us, and we are considering most earnestly the mournful fact that this merciful soul has been taken from our midst. And not only we who are of his religious fellowship, but, as this representative assembly testifies, the whole city, considers the death of this Israelite citizen a public calamity Nay, long before the fatal stroke fell, whilst yet only reports of his shattered health vexed our ears, or saw his benignant face grow wan and worn, and show clear signs of internal ravages, we trembled, and. with anxious looks, asked ourselves : Can it be that the summons has gone forth which none can gainsay, none disobey, and -that soon 'his place shall know him no more ?' And many a silent prayer rose up to Heaven from hearts he has made happy, that the well-beloved may yet be spared to us. For it needed not that Death should fold him in his dark pall to make us see the light that dwelt in his kindly, generous nature. We knew all the time what a benediction his pres- ence amongst us was - knew all the time the worth of his life to suffering humanity, what hopes would sink with him into his grave. We were aware of the energy of benevolence and the patience in well-doing that were hidden behind his gentle face and pleasing manners! Oh. how comforting it is to remember, now that he is gone from us, that we did honor him as he deserved ! Although no ofTice bearer of this congregation, he was one of our " Senators" by natural right and appointment, and we would never have thought of deciding any important question without consulting him. Who that knew this Jesse Seligman, and had a spark of manhood in him, could have caused him a moment's displeasure, since he himself was incapable of domg • THE FUNERAL 53 SO to the humblest of his fellow-men ? Who that enjoyed the prerogative of his friendship would not sooner have lashed himself than done or said anything that might even seem wanting in respect, let alone imply an affront to him ? If any such conflict arose ia us, it was not of his provoking _ For when did this man ask for anythmg that was not, and more than it, rightly his own ? When demand anything that was not gladly conceded ? Even when he felt it his duty to insist on his opinion, he did it in such a modest, such an ami- able manner, that it was easy to his opponents to yield grace- fully. I sometimes thought, in such cases, if truth and right are not on Jesse's side, they ought to be there, and blush that they are not. I seldom saw, in my long experience, a leader commanding such loyalty of followers without ever making them feel the authority which he possessed. Speak of the right man in the right place ! If a voice from heaven had chosen the man that was to be father and mother both to the parentless, the choice could not have been more perfect. Our blessed foster-home out on the hill was not his second home ; it was part of his first, his family home — so near, so ever-present was it to his heart. He reminds one of the good Archbishop of Vienna. When Johan Sobieski, king of Poland in the seventeenth century, raised the siege of that city, and forced the Turkish army to beat a hasty retreat, the liberated people poured through the gates and fell upon the deserted camp in search of food and plunder. The Archbishop was amongst them, and for awhile gazed upon the scattered multitude before him ; then he saw a number of deserted children that had been left behind, and said : ' What shall be my part of the spoils ?' Opening wide his arms, he cried : ' Come, ye poor little ones, ye shall be my share of the spoils.' So did Jesse Seligman. Though deeply interested in political life, he left civic, parliamentary and diplomatic honors he might have aspired to, to others. He chose the orphans home for the field where he would gather his laurels. They adorn his head ; they surround his name in the annals of mercy in this city. In the days of sickness and languor, the sight of the little gray jacket or frock seemed to rekindle the waning flame of his life, 54 JESSE SELIGMAN and when nothing else would interest him, the Asylum would We call Death the universal leveler, and place as symbol a scythe in his hand. But is this quite just? All men are not alike in death; nay, the essential difference between the good man and the bad, the selfish and the unselfish, the lovely and the unlovely, only appears in its full significance at scenes like the present. Only the dust is laid to dust by death ; the true being of man he lifts on high, and calls around it all loyal hearts to do him homage. Death says to-day: Behold a man, behold a friend of men behold a heart that loved to do good, and loved it best when done by stealth and never found to be fame. Behold a man of substance, whose possessions did not and could not attack his inborn humility, who acknowl- edged and served his (lOd in his latter days of great prosper- ity, as he did in the former dayj; of his scarcity. Hold his exit from this city to his entry, as he loved to describe it himself, and you can judge for yourself what kind of life needs must connect the two points. And in that life Temple Emanu-El played no mean part. Jesse Seligman loved the place where he went to meet his God, and in the assembly of his brethren to worship Him in the manner of his forefathers. Dear, beloved, honored brother, with aching hearts we take our leave of thee. There are not a few here to-day who were united with thee in the bonds of friends from the early days of struggling manhood to the triumphal day of thy death. How they shall miss thee ! Ho.v we all shall miss thee ! But God, the Lord of life and death, is just ; we may not murmur at His decree. Come thou in peace to thy resting place. Thy pure soul has already been gathered to tlie eternal house of God, not made by hands, where it receives the recompense of all the good thou hast done here." Dr. Gottheil ended by a brief, but very touching appeal to the family, that if he does not say much of their grief, it is because he deems it too sacred to be spoken of at this public occasion, and he especially emphasized the sympathy which the congregation feels for Mr. James Seligman, whom every- THE FUNERAL 55 body loves and respects, and whose long services and close attachment to the Temple are beyond all praise. The family and friends then passed out through the centre aisle, preceded by the pall bearers and the body, the congre- gation meanwhile retaining their seats at the request of Dr. Gottheil, to avoid confusion. The funeral cortege went down Fifth Avenue, the Trustees of the Orphan Asylum, the 150 children and the members of the Seligman Solomon Society escorting it on foot as far as Twenty-third Street. Three large ferry-boats were required to convey the car- riages across the river. At the cemetery — Salem Fields — the services were very brief. Dr. Silverman gave a prayer in English, Rev. Mr. Sparger, the cantor, read the Kaddish in Hebrew and English, and Dr. Gottheil offered a final prayer as the body was lifted into the magnificent mausoleum. The immediate members of the family then entered it, and remained alone for a few moments with the body of their loved one, and then went to their homes. Others who were present were admitted to the vault, and took away with them sprays of the violets with which the coffin had been covered. An awnmg had been placed about the tomb to shield those present from the rays of the sun, but it was not ample for the large crowd that was present, among whom was a delegation from the Russian- American Hebrew Association, who wished to assist in the last rites of one who had done so much for them and their brethren. Services were held at the family residence on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. g^esoUitious. HEBREW BENEVOLENT AND ORPHAN ASYLUM SOCIEIY. Tribute to the memory of its deceased President, Jesse Seligman, at the Annual Meeting held at the Asylum, April 2gth, iSgd- Bowed in sorrow, and grief-stricken by the irreparable loss which the Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum Society of the City of New York has sustained in the death of its President, Mr. Jesse Seligman, its directors, patrons and members, assembled at the Asylum, pursuant to a call for their annual meeting have adjourned the proceedings as a testi- mony of their respect, and have re assembled in order to place on record what must needs be an inadequate tribute to the memory of him to whose loving devotion, untiring energy and unflaggmg interest, inore than to all other causes com- bined, the success of this Society and the faithful performance of the philanthropic and benevolent work which it has under- taken have been due. In the earlier days of the Society, when it assumed the task not only of caring for the orphan, but of ministering to the needs of the indigent and unfortunate, the self-imposed duty would have exceeded its ability to sustain, except for his wise counsel as a director, which he became as early as 1859. His election to the Presidency in 1876, an office which he has held unmterruptedly since that time, provided a leadership for this body so excellent, so intensely earnest and so emi- nently qualified, that we his associates had but to follow his inspiring example to insure what we can without vanity record as the most successful charitable work accomplished by any' similar institution. The increasing responsibilities of his business, far-reaching and important as it was, his obligations to society at large, whose demands upon a man of his prominence were great, RESOLUTIONS 57 and his devotion to his religion, in which he was ever a sincere, devout and loyal beUever, were subordinated by him to the increasing duties attendant upon his Presidency. In bearing witness to the noble qualities of heart and mind he possessed, and in expressing our admiration and gratitude for the many deeds of benevolence and goodness which characterized his life, we speak not only as his associates but on behalf of thousands of men and women in this community, graduates of our Asylum, who found in him a father — men who became magnificently equipped for the battle of life while inmates of the institution ; and women who now, while happily fondling their own children, recall the days when, in their childhood, they were protected and cared for, will stand at his bier, mingling their tears with those of his family in sacred grief for him to whose benefaction their present happy lot is due. To keep within our proper province, we limit this expres- sion of our regard to those attributes of the man which were apparent in the work in which we were permitted to assist. The community at large, speaking universally, will bear tribute to his exalted worth as a citizen, to his honesty, his probity, the warmth of his affection, his sincerity and his sweet simplicity. For, while standing prominent and pre-eminent among men, his entire life was distinguished by his singular modesty and forbearance. To his afflicted family we extend our sympathy and con- dolence, knowing that their sad bereavement will find solace in the unblemished memory of one who, vvhile rendering most worthily and devotedly to them his services as a husband, a father and a brother, could, and did render loyal and effectual service to the community of which he was a member, to the nation, of which he was a most distinguished and patriotic citizen and to the needy and suffering wherever they required his generous help. Edward Lauterbach, Oscar S. Straus, SiEGMUND J. Bach, Cof/imittee. 58 JESSE SELIGMAN TEMPLE-EMANU-EL. Fifth Avenue, cortwr For/y-f/i/rd Street, N'. V. At a special meeting of the Hoard of Trustees of Temple Emanii-El, held April 25th, 1894, the following minute was offered by Mr. Lewis May, president : The sad intelligence has reached this Board of the sudden death of Mr. Jesse Seligraan. at Coronado Beach, San Diego, Cal, on April 23d, 1894. He had left this city only a few days previously, in order to seek renewed vigor in different surroundings. Though knowing the precarious state of his health, none of his friends believed the end to be so near. The blow which has now struck them is thus doubly severe. In recording this mournful event, the Trustees of Temple Emanu-Kl wish not only to express the feelings which they, in common with the rest of their fellow-citizens, experience at the loss of one who was so identified with the best and mo'^t laudable interests of his people. They desire to place on record their admiration for the many sterling qualities which have made the name of Jesse Seligman beloved and respected by all who knew him. Born in Bavaria in the year 1827, he came to this country in 1842. Enticed here by that love of free action and the free exercise of one's powers, which he ever treasured so highly, by an intense devotion to the inter- ests of the business of which he was the head he has made the name which he bore honored and trusted throughout the mercantile world. He has aided in rearing up a business, the history of which is associated with the history of his adopted country. In questions affecting the great monetary interests of the United States his advice was oftentimes sought and his words heeded with attention. But those who knew Mr. Seligman only as the head of a great banking house, knew not half the man. The other side of him, who has now gone from our midst, was developed in the sacred precincts where religion and charity hold sway. His love of the faith in which he was born and bred was fer- vid and whole-souled ; but to it was added a broadness of vision and of thought which his intercourse with the world at large had produced. RESOLUTIONS 59 Temple Emanu-El has lost in Mr. Seligman one of its oldest and most constant worshipers. As the weekly service came around, he was never absent from his place. Emanu- El's prosperity was dear to his heart. His deeply religious nature loved to find in the Temple a second home, and to this second home he became attached with all the fibres of his being. Though he never held office, he was often called in to sive his counsel in matters which affected the life of the congregation. In conflicts of opinion which arose — as they must arise in the councils of a body such as ours — his counsel was lovingly followed. It was always on the side of peace and in the interests of a righteous adjustment of conflicting ■claims. Our common worship will lose a touch of beauty, now that his head is not there bowed in reverence before the Seat of Mercy. It is difficult for me to express what the death of Mr. Sehg- man means to me personally. Associated with him in various ways during a period of more than forty years, his loss is the loss of a brother. From out of this continued intercourse there has accrued such a measure of reminiscences which now crowd in upon me, as to make my tongue fail to give utterance to what my heart feels. But not only as President of this congregation have my relations with Mr. Seligman been so close ; our social relations have extended over the same period of time. It was my privilege to know him personally during these many years, as few others have known him, and to learn how sincere and true-hearted he was as a friend and companion. Those who knew Mr. Seligman best will remember him most dearly as the almoner of the gifts a kindly Providence had placed in his giving. Many of us have sat for years with him in the management of our various charities. There was not one which he did not help, not only by gifts, but by the personal devotion of a heart which beat for the poor and the lowly. He was a veritable father to the orphan ; nothing was more touching than to see the time and strength which he gave to our Asylum. As President of that institution, he has done more than any one to raise it to its present excellence. His attention to these duties had become a religious observ- 6o JESSE SELIGMAN ance. Summer and winter always found him at his place; and even when away from the city, he made it possible to be at the head of this, his larger family, as regularly and as punctually as when near at hand. When events so happened as to bring our unfortunate brethren from Russia in such quantities as to tax to the ut- most our own resources for taking care of them, Mr, Sehgman was among the first and the foremost to come to their aid. As Treasurer of the Baron de Hirsch Fund, he most judiciously controlled the immense amounts which passed through that Committee's hands —at times allowing his business interests to stand back in view of the demands made upon him in the care of his Russian brethren. Of his many other charities, who shall speak ? There was hardly a public or a private need to the alleviating of which he did not contribute generously and with his whole heart. No one called upon Mr. Seligman in vain ; and they will feel his loss most severely who have received of his bounty in the quiet and unassummg way in which he delighted to give. Personally, Mr. Seligman was of so genial and straight- forward a character as to assure him a most hearty welcome wherever he went. Simple and unassuming in his tastes, he was one of those men who have made the world richer by having lived. A tender husband and a loving father, he had all the qualities which go to make a beautiful manhood. He lived in the fear of God and m the love of his fellow-men. To his family, whom he has left to mourn his loss at a time when they might well have hoped to see him for many yeais in the active employment of his faculties, we would tender our respectful and loving sympathy. W'e would not enter into their grief at this moment further than to assure them of how much we mourn in the passing away of Mr. Seligman the loss of a great and good man, an ardent citizen and a faithful communal worker. MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL. At a special meeting of the Board of Directors of Mount Sinai Hospital, held on Sunday, April 29, 1894 the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : RESOLUTIONS 6l Whereas, the Almighty in His infinite wisdom has called from us our beloved friend. Jesse Seligman, whose benevolent disposition, broad philanthropy and sterling character not only endeared him to us, but inspired all his fellow-citizens with feehngs of admiration and respect ; and Whereas, we feel keenly the loss of one whose helping hand and wise counsels were ever prompt and ready in the hour of need of every worthy cause ; therefore, be it Resolved, That we tender to the bereaved family our most sincere sympathy in their sad loss, which is shared by the whole community, in which the deceased was a prominent figure. Resolved, That, as a mark of our esteem, we attend the funeral in a body, and that we forward a copy of these reso- lutions to the sorrowing family. Marcus M. Mairks, Honoraty Secretary. HEBREW SHELTERING GUARDIAN ORPHAN ASYLUM. At a meeting of the officers and managers of the Hebrew Sheltering Guardian Society Orphan Asylum, held at the Institution on April 29, 1894, it was Resolved, That we place on our minutes a record of our deepest sympathy for the great loss that the pubhc. and more especially the widows and the orphans, have sustained by the demise of our friend and co-worker in the behests of charity and benevolence, Jesse Seligman, late president of our sister charity, the Hebrew Orphan Asylum ; That, as a mark of respect, we will attend his funeral and forward a copy hereof to his bereaved family. Morris Goodhart, President. MONTEFIORE HOME. At a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Monte- fiore Home called this day to take official recognition of the death of Jesse Sehgman, it was resolved : Whereas, we have heard with feelings of the profoundest sorrow of the death of our friend and leader in philanthropy, Jesse Seligman, and while we fully recognize our inabihty to 62 JESSE SELIGMAX add a single leaf to the crown of laurel that the civilized world has bestowed on him as one of its greatest philanthropists, yet we desire to place on record the sentiments that actuate us ; therefore, be it Resolved, That we mourn with the entire community the loss of one that, by his devotion, generosity and self sacrifice, has endeared himself to his fellow- men m every station of life. Resolved, That we tender to our co-worker in charity, the Hebrew Orphan Asylum, our condolence in the great loss it has sustained by the death of Jesse Seligman. Resolved, That we tender to his bereaved family the assur- ances of our most heartfelt sympathy in the great loss they have sustained. Resolved^ That we attend the funeral in a body, and that a copy of these resolutions, suitably engrossed, be sent to the grief-stricken family. Louis Gans, Acting President. April 29th, 1894. UNITED HEBREW CHARITIES. Xf.w York, May is/, iSg4. The Executive Committee of the United Hebrew Charities, in behalf of the members of that organization, desire to place on record their heartfelt grief at the loss that the city has sus- tained in the demise of the late Jesse Seligman. They recognize his career as that of a patriotic citizen, a genial gentleman, a true hearted Israelite, a benevolent and intelligent member of the community. For many years at the head of the Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum Society, always deeply interested in the welfare of the thousands of orphans housed within the walls of the Asylum, he was, from the inception of this Society, its generous patron, ready to assist its work in purse and person, always heartily co-operat- ing with its officers in devising means for the welfare of the poor. The committee recall with special gratitude his hearty assistance in the recent Emergency Fund collection. In con- veying to his bereaved family the regret with which this Society and kindred organizations feel his loss, they record RESOLUTIONS 63 their unqualified respect and admiration for the noble life thus closed. In Jesse Seligman the cause of charity has lost one of its most generous and intelligent advocates. He knew no dis- tinction of race or class. Sympathizing naturally with the distressed among his brethren in creed, his heart beat as warmly for the suffering of any other confession. His was a broad manhood that recognized the good in all true men and dignified humanity by constant hberahty. Henry Rice, President. I. S. Isaacs, Secretary. DISTRICT GRAND LODGE No. i Independetit Order B' ne Erith. Resolved^ That District Grand Lodge No. i, of the Inde- pendent Order of B'ne B'rith, has learned with profound regret of the death of Jesse Seligman, and, together with all. our co-religionists, mourn his loss. His genial disposition, his simplicity and modesty, his sterUng quaUties of a man, his unostentatious demeanor, and his many deeds of charity and philanthropy have endeared him to our people. His partici- pation m every movement inaugurated for the alleviation of the suffering of those of our co religionists who have been driven from foreign lands to our country for a home and asylum, and his identification, either as an ardent member or official, with our philanthropic institutions, has been of such a nature as to make his loss one that will be deeply felt in this direction ; and in his death our co-religionists have lost a great and beneficent leader. Resolved, That tne General Committee of this Grand Lodge attend the funeral exercises of the deceased in a body, and that a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the family of the deceased. William A Gans, Joshua Kantrowitz, Dr. S. B. Wolfe. 64 JESSE SELIGMAN PURIM ASSOCIATION. At the annual meeting of the Purim Association, held on April 28th, 1894, the President announced the death of Mr. Jesse Seligman, President of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum, whereupon it was Resolved, That the members of the Purim Association learn with profound regret of the death of Mr. Jesse Seligman, whose devotion to the cause of charity and benevolence, no less than his distmction as a citizen, endeared him to the community. Rewlved, That his active participation in the management of the great charity identified with his name, has ranked him among those " who love their fellow men,"' and whose example is precious and inspiring. Resolved, That in Jesse Seligman the Jews of the United States are ca led upon to mourn the loss of a leader whose heart beat quickly in response to the cry of the suffering, and who was ever ready to succor the oppressed — a man of refined and gentle manners, of patriotic impulses, of exemplary and useful life, worthy of the high place he maintained among his fellow-citizens. Resolved, That the Purim Association tender to the sorrow- ing widow and children of Mr. Seligman their sincere sym- pathy. Resolved, That the members of this Association attend the funeral in a body, and that a copy of the foregoing be du'y engrossed and transmitted to Mrs. Seligman. M. H. Moses, President. M. Herrman, Secretary. LADIES' AUXILIARY SOCIETY, H. O. A. At a special meeting of the Board of Directresses of the Ladies' Sewing Society of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum, held the 30th day of April, 1894, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That this Board has learned with the deepest sor- row of the death of Jesse Seligman. the highly esteemed and honored President of the Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum Society. RESOLUTIONS 65 Resolved^ That by his death the community at large has lost a useful member, our institution and its inmates a valued ben- efactor, and our Society a dear and cherished friend. Resolved, That this Board attend the funeral in a body. Resolved, That these resolutions be spread on our minutes and published in the press of this city, and that a copy thereof, suitably engrossed, be presented to the family of the deceased as an expression of our appreciation of his worth, and of our sympathy with them in their affliction. jVIrs. Jacob Bookman, President. Mrs. Louis Lavanburg, Hon. Secretary. HOME FOR AGED AND INFIRM HEBREWS. At a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Home for Aged and Infirm Hebrews of New York, held April 29th, 1 894, the following resolutions were adopted : Whereas, The Almighty in His wisdom has taken unto Himself Jesse Seligman. whose noble deeds and exemplary character shed lustre on his race and on all that surrounded him, we deem it our duty to place on record our high appreciation of the virtues and amiable qualities of this phi- lanthropist, whose catholic charity embraced all creeds ; and therefore be it Resolved, That we deeply deplore the death of one who has always manifested a deep interest in the welfare of this insti- tution. and we extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolence to his bereaved family, who have lost a devoted husband and father ; the directors of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum a wise, indefatigable presiding officer, leader and colleague, and the orphans a tender and generous sympathizer. Resolved, That this Board attend the funeral in a body; that these resolutions be spread upon our minutes and copies thereof transmitted to the grief-stricken family and to the directors of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum. Charles L. Bernheim, GusTAVus A. Goldsmith, Joel E. Hvams, I. Albert Englehart, Committee. 66 JESSE SELIGMAN YOUNG MEN'S HEBREW ASSOCIATION. At a special meeting of the Directors of the Young Men's Hebrew Association, held at the Rooms, May ist, 1894, the following resolutions were adopted : News has reached us of the death of Jesse Seligman, a man who combined the noblest characteristics of the American and the Jew. Of humble parentage, he, by the exercise of indomitable courage and energy, raised himself to affluence, and made his name known throughout the world. Then, from his abundance, he gave to relieve the wants of others, and by the exercise of the grander virtues of charity and philanthropy, made the world his home — his brothers, all mankind. There- fore, be it Resolved, That we deeply feel the loss that we, in common with Judaism and humanity, have sustained; and as a proof of our esteem for the distinguished dead, we spread these resolutions on our minutes, and cause them to be published in the public press. Julius Levy, Vice-President. Falk Younker, Secretary. SELIGMAN SOLOMON SOCIETY. The Society met in special session April 30th, to take action upon the death of its lamented friend and benefactor, Jesse Seligman. It was the wish of all present that the Society attend the public funeral in a body. It was further resolved to hold a Memorial Service on May 7th, exclusively for the members of the Society, so that each might give voice to his grief at the loss of one so dear to all. This memorial service recorded verbatim, stands upon the minute book of the Society as its humble tribute to his sacred memory. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted : Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to take Jesse Seligman unto himself away from his family, from us his wards, and from his sphere of usefulness here. RESOLUTIONS 67 Resolved, That in him the world beheld the type of highest manhood, the state its most loyal citizen, the religion of our fathers its best disciple — one who truly lived in the likeness of God, and philanthropic charity — to the widow, the fatherless. the persecuted, the outcast, the wanderer upon the face of the earth — a tireless champion. Resolved, That his pure example is graven upon the lives of us, his foster-children, and that we shall strive to live and to do with all our hearts as did he, our noble benefactor. Resolved, That we deeply mourn his loss, and shall forever cherish his memory. LEBANON LODGE, L O. B. B. At the meeting of Lebanon Lodge No. 9, Independent Order B'ne B'rith, held on May 17th, 1894, the following tribute to the memory of Jesse Seligman was unanimously adopted : " There are moments in the life of individuals and nations when they stand nearer the Divine presence than at other times and when the course of fate calls them to a contempla- tion of the ways of divine Providence. Such a moment of contemplation is furnished by the death of Jesse Seligman, a man of our race, of our own flesh and blood, and we think the time is opportune to pause in our pressure onward and profit by the lesson of the hour. The appearance of a man of note on the stage of life, is one not of daily occurence. Nature seems to have stored an immense fund of vital energy whenever she forms a man of genius, a great warrior, a towering moral creation, an inventor and benefactor of the human race. Jesse Sehgman was one of those marked by Providence to illuminate the noblest elements of humanity. A self-made man, he grasped the wheel of fortune, and as merchant and banker became one of the first of the land. His moral char- acter was equal to the highest standard and type, his honesty of purpose and action remains unchallenged. His qualities of heart, his sympathy with his fellow-men, have been fully acknowledged, and placed him among the benefactors of man. He was a true Israelite. Surrounded by great wealth and 68 JESSE SELIGMAN associations with tlie noblest citizens of this land, men who wielded the destiny of this country, he remained through all this alluring connection a true son of Israel. He remained true and faithful to the old genius of Judah as a faithful leader, an unflinching co-rehgionist. Though he was no member of our Order, he was one of us in sentiment and purpose. His charities have not all seen the light of day, but those around him and nearest to him in works of benevolence testify that his hand was always open to give and to bestow. He carried out the principles of our Brotherhood, guided by a spirit of love and righteousness. All our sacred duties were fulfilled by him by intuition, and we may justly claim him as one of us whose career as Israelite, man and virtuous citizen sanction fully the post-mortem honor we now desire to bestow upon his memory, and to inscribe his imperishable name upon the records of Lebanon Lodge. This is not idle adulation but a work of love and duty. What he was to us as Israelites, to the oppressed and suffering children of poverty and want, is inscribed in golden letters in the heart of the noble charities of this great city. During the War of the Rebellion his financial aid did more than armies. He fortified and maintained the credit of our struggling Union, until there was not in the entire world a country whose credit stood higher than that of our country. Respected, beloved, honored and sincerely regretted, he answered his Maker's call and joined the great and good men of Israel that live in our memory. To this man's memory we members of Lebanon Lodge thus bring our mite of tribute. To us and our brethren his name will remain a type of true manhood, virtue and honor. He honored our race and it is meet that our race shall honor him. We all may emulate his example, and when we pass away in the course of time, may we remember the beautiful words of Bileam when he spake : Tomos nafshi mos jeshoran us' he achrisi cofnohu. " May I die the death of the just, and may my death be like his." Attest : Dr. S. Waterman, Theo. a. Kohn, President. P. W. Frank, S. Hamburger, Secretary. H. Bromberg, Committee. RESOLUTIONS 69 RUSSIAN-AMERICAN HEBREW ASSOCIATION. Resolutions adopted at a meeting of the Russian- American Hebrew Association, held at the Hebrew Institute, on Sun- day, April 30th, 1894. Resolved, That this Association has heard of the death of Jesse Sehgman with great sorrow and regret. Resolved, That the virtues and noble qualities of the late deceased, his patriotism and philanthropy, his broad-minded- ness and modesty, have endeared him to the hearts of the American people in general and his co-religionists in par- ticular. Resolved, That the Russian immigrants have lost in Jesse Seligman a staunch friend and strong protector, one who, with warm heart and open hand, was always ready to assist the needy and lowly among them, and to help them in becoming good and useful citizens of the country of their adoption ; and be it further Resolved, That the President appoint a committee, to con- sist of himself, the Vice-President and three directors, to attend the funeral of the late departed ; that a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the bereaved family of the deceased and that as a further mark of respect the meeting do now adjourn. (Signed), Michael Ginzburg, Adolph M. Radin, President. Jacob Phillips, Isidore D. Morrison, Vice-Pres. J. D. Eisenstein. Committee. HEBREW TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Hebrew Technical Institute, held May r3th, 1894. the following pream- ble and resolutions were unanimously adopted : Whereas^ In the death of Jesse Seligman the Hebrew Technical Institute mourns the loss of a most interested and devoted member and friend ; therefore, Resolved^ That it is a simple but just tribute to his memory to record our high appreciation of his character and life. To the community at large, his name was the equivalent for honor 70 JESSE SELIGMAN and integrity, and those whose privilege it was to be associated with him admired and loved him for his admirable qualities of heart and mind, for his generous instincts and timely and appropriate advice. Until recently a member of the Board, and up to the time of his death an active member of the Society, he had its aims and mission thoroughly at heart, and no more regrettable loss can be sustained by the Hebrew Technical Institute than tliat occasioned by the death of its friend and helper, Jesse Seligman. Resolved^ That we tender to his family our condolence in this bereavement, and cause an engrossed copy of these reso- lutions to be presented to them as a slight but visible evidence of our sympathy. (Signed) James H. Hoffman, President. Jos. Wetzler, Secretary. NEV/ YORK OPHTHALMIC AND AURAL INSTITUTE. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the New York Ophthalmic and Aural Institute, held on Tuesday, May 22d, 1894, the following resolutions were adopted: It is with profound sorrow that we are called upon to record the death of Mr. Jesse Seligman, an esteemed associate in this Board of Trustees, and for many years a personal friend to every member. From the incorporation of our Institute, the interest of Mr. Seligman in everything pertaining to its welfare was conspicu- ous and sincere. Wise in counsel, public-spirited as a citizen, and liberal in promoting whatever commended itself to his judgment, his name has become so identified with many of our city's noblest charities that his loss will be mourned by many who have enjoyed the benefit of his generous sympathy and benevolence. We desire to enter this minute upon our records, and for- ward a copy to his bereaved family, with the expression of our sincere condolence. (Signed) Wm. A. Wheelock, President. GusTAv H. Schwab, Secteiary. RESOLUTIONS 71 CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE BARON DE HIRSCH FUND. At a special meeting of the Trustees of the Baron de Hirsch Fund, held on Sunday, April 2gth, 1894, the following minute m memory of Jesse Seligman, late Treasurer of the Fund, was unanimously adopted : The Trustees of the Baron de Hirsch Fund mourn the loss of their esteemed and beloved colleague, Jesse Seligman, who has been Trustee and Treasurer of the Fund since its organi- jzation, and whose personality so essentially aided in the initiation and direction of its work. To a sense of the public sorrow upon the death of Mr. Seligman, identified as he was for a generation with the pro- gress of our city and its great charities and enterprises, there is added our individual grief as friends and associates. Our departed colleague possessed the rare combination of tact, sagacity, kindliness and fidelity to principle. His coun- sel was wise and timely ; his interest in humanitarian work was sincere and profound, while his good judgment and tem- perament always fitted him for prompt and wise decision, no less than for clear appreciation of the duty to conciliate and harmonize conflicting views, giving to the cause of benevolence the inestimable benefit of his srreat exoerience and business O i- capacity. These qualities, which claimed for him universal respect and affection, he displayed in a high degree as a Trustee of the Baron de Hirsch Fund. New questions involving the direction and success of the Fund addressed themselves to his earnest and prudential study, and were patiently solved. He was a firm believer in the future of the Russian emigrant Jew, of those innate good qualities which in a short time would raise him above the level to which he had been forced by a cruel government, and thus enable him to become a devoted citizen of our free and happy land. It was this intense feeling of patriotism and confidence that cheered those who were oftimes incHned to despondency, because of the magnitude and vicissitudes of the heavy charge 72 JESSE SELIGMAN laid upon the Trustees of the Fund, and gave them abiding hope, now thankfully realized. He was kind and sympathetic to all men. To those who were in misfortune he was especially devoted, and to them he gave the fullest share of his sympathetic attention and gener- ous help. This was apparent not only in his active participa- tion in the work of this Fund, in his devotion to the welfare of the orphan children, but in the innumerable acts of benevolence he performed. The goodness of his heart was mirrored in his genial face, and he attracted to whatever cause he espoused the hearty co-operation of others who were inspired by his enthusiasm for good his untiring energy and hopefulness. The community of which he was so eminent a member, the city with whose development he was so prominently identified, and the country to which he was able to render such patriotic service, have all reason to be grateful for the exemplary life and distinguished services of Jesse Seligman. Our appreciation of the loss sustained by Mr. Seligman's death cannot be fittingly manifested at this time, for it is yet too recent and too overwhelming. It is a consolation, however, that he had almost attained fulness of years, and surely the acquirement of happiness rarely accorded to man, which was made possible by the love of a devoted wife and family, the good-will and respect of his fellow-citizens, and the consciousness that he had freely given of his well-earned store to aid his suffering fellow-beings- We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his grief stricken wife and children, united with the hope that they will find consolation in the noble career, resplendent with high ideals and excellent deeds, which will ever enshrine the memory of their beloved husband and father. Mv£R S. Isaacs, Pi esident. J. Goldman, Hon. Secretary. Jacob H. Schiff, Vice-Pres. Emanuel Lehman, ^^z. Treas. James H. Hoffman, Oscar S. Straus, Wm. B. Hackenburg, Mayer Sulzberger, Henry Rice, A. S. Solomons, G. A. Ti ustus RESOLUTIONS 72 « -^■'^ UNION LEAGUE CLUB. At a regular meeting of the Union League Club, held on the loth day of May, 1894, it was Resolved, That Jesse Seligman was for twenty-six years, and until recently, a member of the Union League Club; that he was loyal and devoted to the interests, honor and useful- ness of the Club, courteous and warm-hearted in his personal intercourse, responsive to every demand of patriotism and public spirit, sympathetic and generous to every call of humanity, and wise and high-minded in his counsels. His character elevates our conception of the possibilities of human nature. His memory will be an honored and cher- ished tradition of the Union League Club. Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be trans- mitted to his family, and furnished to the press for publication. Horace Porter, Prtsident. Geo. Bethune Adams, Secretary. LADIES' BIKUR CHOLIM SOCIETY. Mrs. Jesse Seligman, City. Dear Madam : — In compHance with the resolution passed by the Board of Directors, it becomes my sad duty to express its deep-felt inmost sympathy, and to offer you and your family its sincere condolence for the bereavement occasioned by the loss of a beloved and dear husband, father, and a friend of the poor. The Board prays that the merciful Ruler of destinies may shed into your so deeply wounded hearts, the balm of hea- venly consolation, and through the portals of your doors sorrow may never enter again. I remain, with great sympathy, Yours respectfully, A. P. Politzer, Assistant Secretary. By order of the President. "]2b JESSE SELIGMAN REPUBLICAN COUNTY COMMITTEE. At a meeting of the Republican County Committee of the County of New York, held on Monday evening, May 14th, 1S94, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted : Whereas^ Jesse Sehgman was one of the founders of the Republican party, and at all times patriotically responded to his party's calls ; and Whereas, His sterling and never-wavering republicanism reflected his sincere political convictions and intense love for his adopted country ; and Whereas, in the death of Jesse Seligman the Republican party and the nation have lost a man who exemplified by his life the highest type of American citizenship, Resolved, By the Republican County Committee of the County of New York, that by the death of Jesse Seligman, this country has lost one of its foremost citizens and the Republi- can party a most unselfish, inteUigent and wise leader ; and further Resolved^ That the hfe of Jesse Seligman is a book whereon is written encouragement to the most lowly, and to the foreign- born as well as the native-born citizen, that the good citizen and patriotic does not live in vain, and dies leaving his coun- try his grateful debtor ; and furtJier Resolved, That the Republicans of the County of New York extend to the family of the deceased their most sincere assur- ances of heartfelt sympathy. Wm. Brookfield, President. Wm. H. Ten Eyck, Secretary. The Committee of Thirty's sub-committee on organization adopted the follov/ing resolutions on the death of Jesse Seligman : The sudden death of our fellow-member, Jesse Seligman, removes an earnest and patriotic citizen from a sphere of use- fulness in which he had been active for half a century. Loyal to his faith, his country, his family, his friends and his political RESOLUTIONS 72^ party, his industrious life has been a model and an example. Always a fearless champion of good government and an implacable foe to fraud or corruption in any shape, this com- mittee feels honored by his cordial approval of their course, and know no v/ords in which fittingly to express their sorrow at his unexpected demise. Resolved, That the committee attend his funeral in a body. Resolved^ That a copy of this minute be transmitted to the family of the late Jesse Sehgman. The Committee of Thirty Republicans of the Third Assem- bly District adopted these resolutions : Whereas, It has pleased Divine Providence to remove from our midst Jesse Seligman ; and Whereas, Jesse Seligman, by a long life of probity, integrity and honesty, has endeared hmnself to the citizens of the com- munity in which he lived, and by his liberal gifts to all worthy charities has extended a helping hand to relieve distress; and Whereas^ Jesse Seligman in his lifetime was an active and conscientious republican ; therefore, be it Resolved, By the republicans of the Third Assembly Dis- trict, in convention assembled, that they lament the death of such a worthy and philanthropic citizen and earnest republi- can, and extend their condolence to the bereaved family of the deceased. MONTEFIORE HOME LEAGUE, We, the officers of the Young Ladies' and Gentlemen's League connected with the Montefiore Home, on behalf of our Association, tender to the bereaved widow and family of the late Jesse Seligman the following lines expressive of our sympathy : Sorrowfully, indeed, we learned of the early death of Jesse Sehgman, America's foremost Jew. His life's work was a sun which lighted up and warmed the dark, cold days of misery for so many of his fellow-men. That sun caused to grow beautifully and luxuriantly the plant of Hebrew charity and philanthropy in the country where he ']2d JESSE SEUGMAN lived. Our Association is one of the youngest and tenderest of those plants, and sadly we would feel his absence ; but so intensely and so gloriously did it shine that the warmth will continue its nourishment until the sun, which seemed to set in the far west, will again rise beyond the earth's horizon. Irene M. Rothschild, President. Helen J. Offenbach, Vice-President. Alfred L. M. Bullowa, Vice-President. Amelia Simon, becreiary. Mareis J. LuDwiG, Treasurer. LuciEN L. l^ONHEUR, Chairman. LEBANON HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION. At a special meeting of this Association, held on Sunday, April 29th, 1894, the following resolutions were unanimously passed : Whereas, It has pleased the Almighty to take from us the good and patriotic and benevolent friend from our midst, Jesse Seligman, one who at all times looked after the poor and distressed, he who was the father of our noblest institu- tion, the care of the orphans, one who was foremost in all charities, no matter of which creed or denomination they came. We tender our sympathy to the wife and family of our beloved friend. May they bear their loss with fortitude. Resolved., That a copy of this resolution be sent to the family of the deceased. Jonas Weil, President. M. Peabodv, Vice-President. THE R. T. LINCOLN CLUB. Resolutions of condolence ofifered by M. A. Clinton : Whereas, The Almighty has chosen to take from our midst that great patriot, loyal citizen and grand republican, Jesse Seligman, and deemed it wise that his life-work should close; and Whereas, The example of the acts of this man's life — his rise from the humble walks of life to the highest, his deeds of charity, his unswerving support to the Union and to the RESOLUTIONS ']2e Republican party are to our party a great loss ; therefore, be it Resolved, That we, the members of the R. T. Lincoln Club, express our sorrow at this loss to us and to the bereaved family, and sympathize in the hour of their affliction at the passing away of one whose life-work has been crowned with good deeds. Resolved. That we extend to the family our sincere regrets ; and the blow has been tempered with the knowledge that whatever he accomplished was well done, and his acts are a monument, enduring forever. Resolved, That the President and Secretary be empowered to convey to the family a copy of the above resolutions. Melville A. Clinton. REPUBLICAN ASSOCIATION, TWENTY-FOURTH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT. At a meeting of the Republican organization of the Twenty - fourth Assembly District, held on May 9th, 1894, the follow- ing resolutions were unanimously adopted : Whereas, Divine Providence has removed from our midst Jesse Seligman, a loyal republican and a patriot, who was at the front with his aid to our nation in her distress, a friend of the poor, and a good man, Resolved, That we, the members of the Twenty-fourth Assembly District Association, do feel this loss with the party at large, and sympathize with the family in their great bereavement. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted by the Secretary to the members of the family. Thomas G. Wilkins, Secretary, TEMPLE AHAWATH CHESED. At a general meeting of the members and the Board of Trustees, held at the Temple on April 29th and May 2d, 1894, respectively, taking notice of the death of Jesse Seligman, the 72/ JESSE SELIGMAN sad news was received and echoed by eulogistic expressions of sorrow worthy of the hfe, character and good name of the departed. Each and every member of the congregation feels keenly the irreparable loss which J udaism and humanity at large has sustained, and the high esteem in which his honored name was held. We tender you our sincere sympathy in this your great sor- row, which is shared by the whole community, and, with you, we invoke the blessings of an All- merciful Father, that He may accept that soul in His paternal keeping, into the fellow- ship of those who live eternally before God and enjoy the splendor of His divine glory. By order of the President and the Board. A. R. Altmayer, Hov. Sec. Acting. THE BANK OF NEW AMSTERDAM. Whereas^ The Directors of the Bank of New Amsterdam have heard with deep regret of the death of their late associate, Jesse Seligman, Resolved.^ That we tender to the family of the deceased our heartfelt sympathy for them in their great bereavement. Resolved, That in the death of Mr. Jesse Seligman we have lost an esteemed associate, whose probity of character and personal worth can be best expressed by us by quotmg his own words, viz. : "■ My success, whatever it has been, I attri- bute, first, to the fact that I had the good foitune to become a citizen of this great republic, under whose beneficent laws the poor and the rich, irrespective of race or creed, have equal opportunities of education and material prosperity ; secondly, to the fact that I have always endeavored to extract some- thing good rather than evil from everything that has come before me, which has had the effect of making lighter the cares and tribulations of this life." Resolved., That these resolutions be spread upon the minute. book of the bank, and a copy sent to his family. • Thos. C. Acton, President. Frank Tilford. Vice-President. N. J. H. Edge, Cashier. RESOLUTIONS ']2g PUPILS OF THE PIEBREW TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. To the Family of Jesse Seligman : We, the pupils of the Hebrew Technical Institute, beg to offer to you the expression of our heartfelt sympathy in the bereavement that has come upon you. Mr. Seligman was a kind and generous patron of our school— always deeply interested in our welfare, and sohcitous for our best interests. We realize that a benefactor and friend has been taken from us, and we desire to make known to you our apprecia- tion of the noble qualities and many virtues of the one who has passed away. We, therefore, trust that you will accept these words as a token of the exalted esteem in which we shall ever hold the memory of the departed. Very respectfully, Louis Freund, Chairman. Solomon Lowrie, Samuel N. Tenefsky, Henry Ehrlich, M. Freedman, Committee. %n tUz 'gxxXpiX, In every synagogue or temple, uptown or downtown, fitting reference was made either on Friday or Saturday to the death of Mr. Seligman. Dr. Kohler said on Saturday at Temple Beth-El : In Jesse Seligman our Jewish community lost a representative American Jew of the noblest type and the highest excellence. He, too, came over to these hospitable shores with nothing but the pilgrim's staff in his hand and a fine ambition, prompted, as is natural, by self-interest. Yet how grandly did every successful endeavor in his hands turn into a source of blessing, of comfort and aid to others. His was the right faith in God and in man, in humanity and in one glorious Republic. When many about him and near him became skeptics, he remained a loyal Jew, and never missed an opportunity of asserting proudly that he was of that salt of humanity which defies corruption — that he was a Jew. His name will be forever identified with the great Jewish institu- tions which he was so energetic in creating and so faithful in maintaining. Particularly did he build to himself a lasting memorial in our Orphan Asylum, the proud ornament of our New York community, which, but for his never-faltering zeal, would never have reached this state of grandeur and of extensive usefulness. He loved the orphans with a fatherly heart. The Asylum was, indeed, his second home. He was never happier than when he was there. But his charity was the right kind. He preferred the spirit of helpfulness to that of ostentatious and humiliating bestowal of gifts. Many a tear will flow for Jesse Seligman unseen, many a poor family v/ill weep in secret because they lost a generous-hearted sup- porter, who would often not let the left hand see what the right hand gave. Jesse Seligman 's name became a household name to the American Jews the world over. He reflected credit on them as very few did. 74 JESSE SEI^IGMAX At the West End Synagogue, Rev. Dr. de Sola Mendes said : Our memorial service this time must be made to take a more extended scope than its accustomed congregational one, by reason of the recent lamented demise of a man whose loss is, indeed, one touching the whole community of Israel. He whose death the other day was flashed to us from far off California, deserved, in eminent degree, the pang of regret which ran through the hearts of all of us at the news. So noble a man, to raise himself, by his unaided exertions, from penury to respected affluence, and, withal, retain the kindly heart and unselfish spirit which marked his loving philan- thropy ; so generous a man, to most enjoy his position and the influence his genius commanded in exerting both for the wel- fare of the afflicted and the orphaned; so wise a man, to know that not his wealth and not his power earned the lasting respect of the whole community, but his fidelity to his people and his manifested contempt for renegades of every social rank, entitle Jesse Seligman to a reverent, grateful place in our " Memorial Service." Accessible and courtly to all, modest toward man, dutiful toward God, loving and kind — of him, in truth, the old adage speaks, when it says, " The memory of the righteous is in itself an added blessing." Dr. Harris, of Temple Israel of Harlem, made the life of Jesse Seligman the subject of his weekly address to the Religious School on Sunday, April 29th. He told of the remarkable career from obscurity to affluence and honor. He also drew some valuable lessons from the life, making it a type of what integrity and mdustry can accomplish . Rev. Rudolph Grossman, in the course of his sermon on Friday evening, in Temple Beth-El, said : " I cannot avoid, in this connection, laying a wreath of immortelles, woven out of the flowers of regard, as sacred to the memory of a man who has recently passed through the shadows of the grave. Jesse Seligman, while in life, represented the true spirit of Judaism. Whenever called upon to do service for that truth to which his soul clung, he was at his post. While many IN THE PULPIT 75 another, even of those nearest to him, broke the bond of fidelity uniting him with that Jehovah who is Israel's glory; while apostasy, indifference and faithlessness raged about him, he stood a firm, unyielding man, true to the God of his fathers. Though walking on the high places of prosperity and wealth, he found time, like Moses, to go forth and inquire after his people's welfare. The orphan and the widow tound in him a father and a friend. His noble heart throbbed with sym- pathy for the outcast. Actuated by that sublime spirit of justice, which is a spark from the fire of Sinai, he threw all the weight of his influence, all the ardor of his enthusiasm, all the resources of his fertile brain and hand into his efforts for the glorification of Israel and the improvement of his people.. The God whom he bad learned to reverence and to trust on his mother's knee, remained his staff and shield when sunned by the rays of wealth and power. American Judaism has lost in him a staunch advocate. The New York community has been stripped of one of its brightest ornaments. The orphan, the poor, the friendless, mingle their tears with ours. When a good man dies, the whole world is reckoned among his mourners. Every truly human heart is smitten, every home is darkened by the shadow of affliction when a righteous man is summoned from earth. We weep with his family, for Israel, for humanity has lost in him a true friend. May his memory be an inspiration. May he in death teach the youth by his life the lesson we need so much to emphasize in our dav, that one may soar to the highest peaks of culture and of influence, and still remain a Jew, true to the covenant of Israel." IN HONOR OF OUR LATE PRESIDENT, JESSE SELIGMAN. Dr. Herman Baar, the Superintendent of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum, spoke the following words before the chil- dren of the institution : We read in the festal portion of this morning the following sentence (Exodus xiii. 19): "And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him; for he had strictly sworn the children of Israel, saying: God will surely remember you ; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. 76 JESSE SELIGMAN My children : We have assembled here this morning to do an act of " pietiit " towards one who was suddenly called away this week from this earth, and who was much endeared to every one of us. You know I allude to our worthy Presi- dent, the late Mr. Jesse Seligman. All of us have lost in him a true, kind and affectionate friend. To you, my children, he was a loving benefactor; to me he was, although my Presi- dent, a faithful friend and counselor whom I could consult in all practical questions of life ; to the poor he was an ever ready sympathizer and helper ; to the refugee a real comforter ; to his adopted country a noble citizen, and to our brethren in faith a most liberal and attached follower of our much- cherished creed. But there were three things in particular which I so much admired in him. He was, above all, a gentleman, perfect in tact and manner, and fine in feeling and sentiments! He was courteous and polite towards every one, and he spread such a noble dignity around him that all who came in contact with him must have felt that gentle and sympathetic touch of his soul. Whatever he did. he did it with the fulness of his heart. He was approachable to every one ; but in avoiding that familiarity with which other persons so often try to make themselves known -and conspicuous, he strictly kept up that reserve and authority which was such a graceful trait in his character. I have often seen him here in this lecture-room during divine service, and, unlike others, who are continually restless and are moving to and fro on their benches from the beginning to the end of the service, he constantly kept his Prayer-book before his eyes, and attentively and uninterrupt- edly followed all the divine exercises. Moreover, as is the manner of the real gentleman, his way of judging others was always in the mildest way; all his words were full of love, kindness and charity towards his fellow-man. There was nothing of over-officiousness in him, noticed so often in men of his kind. He had a keen and sharp eye for everything wrong, but also a word of praise and approval for everything that delighted his heart. The second thing I admired so much in him was that patri- otic spirit — that love he bore towards his adopted country. It IN THE PULPIT 77 is only natural that he should love a land in which he, " as a self-made man," had made a large fortune. But yet there is still a difference in this respect between one man and the other. We know of wealthy people who, having accumulated masses of riches here in this country, went back to their homes abroad in order to enjoy their fortune. Such would have never been the case with Jesse Seligman. He was really an enthusiastic admirer of this country, and counted the most distinguished men of this land among his friends. Yes, there was no one who stood higher in the eyes of the Christian world than he did — nay, he was pointed out by them as the representative Israelite, as the perfect ideal or embodiment of a polished gentleman. And even this last year — a year full of many dismal signs and dark forebodings — could by no means shake or upset his .bright hopes in the happy political future of this, his adopted country. He thought that, after the commercial crisis had passed away, this land would rise again to a greatness and prosperity which never before was seen. Thirdly: I greatly admired his true philanthropic spirit. Benevolence was a noble passion in him which he exercised with so much beauty of soul. He was especially fond of you, my children, and this large asylum, which was erected under his worthy presidency. During the time that I have been with you, he was twice abroad, but each time that he returned, and when he had scarcely left the liarbor and steamship, it was to you he took his first walk and visit. I remember that, when this house was built, I one day stood with him and another gentleman upon the rough boards of this very room in which I now speak to you. In making a few remarks to us, he then said : " I felt very ill for some time, but I fer- vently prayed to my Maker to preserve me and keep me alive until at least I have seen the completion of this asylum." He closely inspected every child when he entered our dining- room on Sundays. He was a strict observer of all things which happened around him, and nothing could give him greater pleasure than to see the children enjoying their meals in a happy and cheerful spirit. His charitable heart, however, was everywhere. He showed much sympathy and zeal for 78 JESSE SELIGMAN all the Hebrew institutions of this city, and there was indeed no prominent institution where his familiar face was not seen at the annual meeting. He also took a great interest in the Russian Emigration, and was, if I mistake not, the Honorary Treasurer of the Baron Hirsch Fund ; if it had been in his power, he would have made every Russian emigrant happy, prosperous and comfortable. I, personally, shall miss him — shall miss him very much indeed. His deplorable absence, and the thought of never seeing him again, will, if not discouraging me in my labors, still cast a heavy gloom over the work, which to the present day I have so cheerfully performed. I shall not see him any more on those Sundays, in which he, in company with our worthy chairman, Mr. Emanuel Lehman, both linked together" as if they were a bridal couple of cheering benevolence and humanity, made their entrance into our office at the very stroke of lo o'clock in the morning. It seemed as if he had a presentment of his approaching death. In a letter, as well as in a personal conversation, he hinted to me that his mission was soon over. I answered him facetiously, saying, " Mr. Seligman," using a banking term, " we do not give you away under par !" My children : Every good and noble-hearted man leaves to posterity a kind of mental bequest. So our dear President, Mr. Seligman did. To you, my children, he left his active, industrious and honorable spirit ; to our religion, his unswerv- ing attachment and faithfulness, to his adopted country, his pure and patriotic mind, to our charitable institutions, his large and benevolent heart, to our citizens, his good common sense and practical judgment, and to his household — that is, to his noble wife and dear daughters, to his amiable sons and to all the different members of his united family, a name and reputation, a character and standing, vvhich, not being sur- passed by any one, seeks his ec^ual in the large dominions of this glorious country. You know the old story of Nathan the Wise, leaving each of his three sons a precious ring which had the power to make them beloved, pleasant and agreeable in the eyes of God and man ! Such a ring was also left by the dying father to his three sons, and I have no doubt that in AT THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE 79 keeping this ring and guarding it as their dearest heirloom' they will thoroughly work in their late father's spirit and way of action, in their father's character and mode of life. My children : May the remembrance of our dear President, Mr. Jesse Seligman, be blessed for ever and ever. AT THE HEBREW TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. On Wednesday of last week, while the funeral of Jesse Seligman was taking place at Temple Emanu-El, the pupils of the above Institution were gathered in their assembly-room and addressed by Mr. Barney, the principal. He spoke, in part, as follows: We are assembled here to-day to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of a kind friend who is no more. While it is not our privilege to be present at the service in the Temple Emanu-El, nor to stand with those who bend to take a last look at the face of one whose early life is ended, still there is left for us a worthy part in reviewing his career, and drawing from it many lessons of wisdom for the future. Leaving his home at a very early age, he followed his brothers to America, and entered the battle of Hfe. We have not heard the story of his childhood's home, nor of the influ- ences that surrounded him there ; but we can believe, from all his subsequent doings, that his most youthful days were spent among associations favorable for good results. We hear of him beginning his business course as a merchant in the most unassuming departments. We hear of his success- ful efforts, and we learn with astonishment of his having been at the age of fifteen years the proprietor of an estabhsh- ment, with two clerks in his employ. In the dark days in the history of California, when disorder and confusion reigned throughout all the settled districts, particularly in the city of San Francisco, we hear of him as one who spared no time or trouble to help to create a stable and creditable form of governm.ent. Our great and glorious leader, General Ul3'sses S. Grant, was proud to own the friendship of Mr. Seligman, who was known and valued as the personal friend of most of the men 8o JESSE SELIGMAN of distinction in Congress and in civil life during the War of the Rebellion; and at the close of the great struggle, when the National Treasury was in a sadly exhausted condition, it was Mr. Seligman who went to the Old World, and succeeded, finally, in placing the United States bonds upon the markets of Europe, notwithstanding the evident reluctance of the foreign exchanges. He rose to a position of great eminence in the eyes of the nation; his counsel was sought by those who held in trust the financial affairs of our country, and his advice was accepted as that of a far seeing, prudent, reliable and strictly honest man. It has been said of him that he never really failed in any undertaking. His belief in the stability of American institu- tions never wavered. To day. as he lies still and pale in death, there is no voice to condemn him for any acts of unfair dealings ; no harsh and bitter man attributes to his agency the ruin of fair prospects ; no widow and no children complain that he has robbed them of their inheritance. On the contrary, he was the friend of the needy and of the afflicted. His kindness of heart and pity for the sufferings of the poor were without limit. He was the friend of education. Not merely a liberal sub- scriber toward the support of the Hebrew Technical Institute, he served as a director for a long period of time. When we visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History, we shall remember with pride that Mr. Seligman has filled the office of trustee of both those institutions. When we read of the investigations and delib- erations of the Geographical Society, we shall recall that our friend was a member of that body. When President Harrison wished to select a representative whom he might send abroad to make the necessary arrange- ments for an International Bi-metallism Congress, his choice fell upon Mr. Seligman as the person to execute the mission. It is only a few years since our citizens were called to mourn the loss of that great and good man, Peter Cooper. In com- paring the history of these two men, we find a wonderful similarity in many points. Both were early in the field of action; both were called to pass through periods of extreme AT THE ASYLUM 8 1 anxiety and unremitting toil; both of them gained the summit of fortune's height, but were not content to rest there, while their fellow-creatures were struggling and ready to succumb with the discouragements that ever attend the path of all who ascend above the common level. How much more worthy of emulation were the lives of these two noble-hearted workers for humanity than the record left behind them by so many of the self-seeking, purse-proud men who have also risen slowly by their own exertions, and then, if they have not actually placed stumbling-blocks and temptations in the way of other mortals less favored than themselves, still they have never extended a helping hand. Toward the people of his race, the benefactions of Mr. Sehgman were countless ; toward the welfare of his adopted country, his services were of inestimable value. He has left to his family the priceless legacy of an unspotted character- — a name above reproach, and the infinite consolation of know- ing that no clouds of darkness, the result of misdeeds done in secret, can ever arise to chadow his fair fame. The pupils of this Institute have cause to think of him with grateful feehngs and with words of praise. Let his name, when spoken among us, be heard with respect. Let us strive to imitate his virtues and profit by his example. AT THE ORPHAN ASYLUM MEETING. The annual meeting of the Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum Society was to have been held on Sunday, April 29th, and a large number of gentlemen and a sprinkling of ladies were present. The entrance to the buildmg was tastefully draped, and the flag was at half-mast. The synagogue, wherein the meeting was to be held, was also draped, a picture of the late Mr. Seligraan stood upon the platform. and the vacant chair he usually occupied was hung in black also. Mr. Henry Rice, the Vice-President, called the meeting to order, and delivered a feehng address on the loss the institu- tution has sustained. He said : 83 JESSE SEUGMAN Address of Mr. Henry Rice. For many years, this day has been one of pleasure to you and all of us. You have come year after year, knowing that you would meet the genial face of your President, Jesse Selig- man, who in his own heart rejoiced with you, as he so ably unrolled the history of each year the work of your Society, and showmg its continued prosperous and active career, a blessing to the Orphan ; to-day it is different. An inscrutable Provi- dence has taken our much beloved President to his eternal home, and sadness and grief have taken the place, and the empty chair draped and other tokens of mourning, only too plainly show how conditions have changed. Jeese Seligman, one of the pioneers of charitable communal work in this city, died last week, and his mortal remains are now coming from the Pacific slope, to find rest and quiet in consecrated ground. Would that I were able to give expres- sion to my own feeling, in words of burning eloquence, to say how dearly we all loved this man, and how we shall cherish his memory, as long as the breath of life will permit us. It has been my great pleasure to be associated with him in the administration of the Orphan Asylum for more than twenty years, and during that entire time, no word, sign or action of our dead President ever indicated anything but a high-toned, noble and philanthropic gentleman, the peer of the noblest and best in the land. He was ever the fearless advocate of right and the champion of the weak and oppressed — a friend to all mankind. For his home and family he had the deepest affection, but the same soft and sweet sides of life were unstintedly given to the inmates of our Asylum. To his co-workers he was a companion, the partner in every joy, the comforter in every sorrow. He has been taken away much too early in life for us, and yet his life in good works has been full and complete. His was a great nature, far more perfect than that of the average man. He has gone through sorrow, through fire and flood, through the thunder of battle, ripening* sweetening, enlarging, proving finer and finer, gentler and gentler, the result of great strength accumulated through an active life, and, like our great national leader, Abraham Lin- coln, ever for his guiding star the memorable motto, '' With AT THE ASYLUM 83 charity towards all, with malice towards none.'' At the end of his useful life he stands before us as the sun of a summer afternoon, full of life, warmth and illuminating power. There is nothing more beautiful than such a life. To him a man signified a brother, one from whom the generous hand of fellowship could never be withheld. To his friends, he was always the genial, warm, outspoken man, whose constitutional serenity and cheerfulness were ever the same, yet he never feared to meet any emergency, and was ever ready and eager to sink his own personality in the interest or need or a fellow- creature. He was not one to falter because of difficulty ; above all things, he loved liberty of thought and speech, and whatever he claimed in this direction for himself he was wiUing to accord to others. The eminent virtues of the man — first, his personal integ- rity ; second, his loyalty to his adopted country ; third, the fealty to his race ; fourth, his philanthropic and charitable nature — will ever stand as his monument, far greater than could be engraven by any human sculptor. His magic was not far to seek. He was so human ; whether strong or weak. Far from his kind he never sank or soared, But sat an equal guest at every board. No beggar ever felt him condescend. Nor prince presume; himself he always bore At manhood's simple level, and wherever He met a stranger, there he left a friend. Mr. A. J, Dittenhoefer then arose and moved that, in view of the death of the President of the institution, no business be transacted, and that the meeting adjourn subject to the call of the Board of Trustees. In making this motion, Mr. Dittenhoefer said : Address of Mr. Dittenhoefer. In view of the departure from our midst of our friend, our dear friend, the President of this Society, I think that we should follow the example set in every pubhc body, that we transact no business whatever, and pay a tribute in thus doing to the memory of that great man. 84 JESSE SELIGMAN I presume at some other time a fitting opportunity will present itself for paying our dear friend that tribute which he so truly deserves. His death is a loss not only to the Jewish community at large, not only to the country at large, but it is an affliction that each one of us feels personally. He was truly a good man in every sense of that word ; he was patriotic to his adopted country, he was eminently a Jew in every respect, laboring in behalf and in support of his faith and those who were attached to it. But what endeared him to me more than anything else was his plain, unassuming character. There was nothing proud, nothing repellant, in his character We will miss him more, perhaps, than any one else belonging to our faith. He creates a void that I do not see can be filled with satis- faction. My recollections of him date back to my early boyhood. I met him in this city when a mere boy at school, and when I associated with his sons. At that time he did not occupy the public position which he held before his death. He never changed his disposition, never changed in that gen- erosity which continued to surround his character, and which impressed me more than all his other qualities, A pity, a great regret it was that he did not live to see the crowning object of his life, like Moses of old, who saw the promised land, but was not destined to go into it. Mr. President and Gentlemen : I think we should at least pay that meed of tribute, and not transact any business to-day — any business pertaining or belonging to this meeting. I move, and ask unanimous consent of all, that, as a tribute of respect, we adjourn this meeting to the call of the Board of Trustees. At the conclusion of Mr. Dittenhoefer's remarks, Hon. Oscar S. Straus arose and said : " As soon as that sad grief reached the Board of Directors of this institution, they immediately came 'together, and a committee was appointed to draft words of tribute to the memory of him whose spirit will live forever, not only in our hearts, but also in our very actions. The committee, which consisted of Messrs. Bach, Lauterbach and myself, havg AT THE ASYI,UM 85 drafted resolutions, which, with the permission of the Chair and those present, I will now read." Mr. Straus then read the resolutions, which appear else- where herein. Mr. M. Warley Platzek arose to second the motion, and spoke as follows : Address of Mr. M. Warley Platzek. I arise as one not amona; vour Directors. I feel that some one among you should second, on behalf of those members, the magnificent tribute just paid to the virtue of Jesse Selig- man. And it is difficult for me to give immediate expression to my feelings. Rich as is the vocabulary of our tongue, it is far too poor when we are confronted with such great sorrow. It is impo'^sible to find just words which would do justice to such a man. America's most representative Israelite is dead, and we may search this country from end to end, and we can place our hand upon no one that is the equal to him. It is not for me now to insult his memory by attempting in an impromptu manner to do justice to his life's work; but to those who had the satisfaction of working with him and by his side, his is a life that should be an example both to the young and to those men who have grown old in honored service. His whole life was one of honor, one of industry, and one crowned with absolute and complete success. Can any of us forget how he spoke when he set out to visit the Holy Land ? Is there a man present who Hstened to those modest statements coming from the Hps of that great man but did not go away a better man, inspired by his good- ness, inspired by his spirit that animated and sustained him through life, who set us a lesson in order that we may live up to the life he led ? Can we forget when the Russian tyrant sought to smite a man because he was a Jew ? How he called to the patriotic Israelites, and how his voice, in trembling tones, called us on to action, and, under his inspection, his leadership, he brought young men from their offices, he brought clerks from their desks, women from their homes, and led into successful action, until the Czar was obliged to listen to the voice of humanity and stay the hand of persecution. 86 JESSE SELIGMAN It is such a man whom we are here doing honor. I know I will be excused if I have been unable to pay a tribute to his life's work, and to pay that tribute which is due to him. We must accept the sorrow that is ours, and learn a lesson from his life, his work, his patriotism and integrity. Mr. Rice then read the following cablegram from Mr. Jacob H. Schifif, who was in Frankfort, which was received by the editors of Thk American Hebrew that morning, for publica- tion in the Seligman Memorial Number. The cablegram read as follows : "Jesse Seligman's warm attachment to his race, his gener- ous public spirit and lofty patriotism, united with singular ability to deal with every situation, all made him the most worthy Hebrew American of this generation. Jacob H. Schiff." Mr. Edward Lauterbach then stepped forward, and an- nounced that Memorial Services would be held in the Asylum on Decoration Day. He then continued: Remarks of Mr. Edward Lauterbach. The last information that Mr. Seligman desired concerning this institution was as to the fate of the St. Nicholas Park Bill. Not one dollar of advantage, not one atom of self-interest, was there in it to him. The bill was passed by the Legislature of the State, and was then put in the Governor's hands, and pro- vided for what ? Provided for the advantage of this institu- tion. The last expression of interest, the last expression of absorbed interest, was in respect to the welfare of this insti- tution — " Will the Governor sign the bill, in order that the 700 children may be benefited in their surroundings, that they may feel the safety of a public park, and not be thrust in on all sides by tenement-houses ?"' To accomplish this had been his most ardent work for the last five years, the last expression of interest— Will the bill be signed ? Within two days the bill was signed. And I may say, could the answer have come to him, it would have been a source of great solace to him. There is scarcely anything AT THE ASYLUM 87 to be said. This great institution would never have existed but for Jesse Seligman. It is the best monument to his mem- ory — the seven hundred children who have been taken from the slums, nourished, and who will follow the examples of many who have become great men of the community, instead of leading lives of worthlessness, misery and crime. For he who performed this was our leader, our champion, our director. There was no Sunday morning in which he was not here, rainy or shining weather; whatever may have been the condition of the weather or of his health, the same intense interest and the same true life and sincerity, the same degree of devotion did Jesse Seligman give to this institution. Is it possible to describe the loss that the Hebrew Benevo- lent Orphan Asylum Society has sustained by his death? It has been said that the entire gap caused by any death can always be filled, but that is not true. The combination of the whole Board of Governors, the filling of the vacancy, how- ever great, the application of all our energy, can never supply to the society a substitute for this grand and noble, self- sacri- ficing, devoted man. And we mourn his loss as I think no association has been called upon to mourn the loss of an officer. Words cannot express our deep feeling for this great man. We all know — directors, members and patrons, and, above all, the little ones in this institution — that we have sus- tained a loss absolutely irreparable. We shall ask the mem- bers and patrons to stand by us with renewed energy and interest, and it may be that the work so thoroughly begun by him, so thoroughly followed and completed, has been so well- grounded, so well-founded that, in spite of his loss, we shall still be able, therefore, to continue the work as he intended it shall be. We shall best honor his memory — and surely his memory deserves it - by consecrating ourselves as he conse- crated himself. This marvelous work, so marvelously achieved, accomplished for the purpose of making of the forgotten waif an honorable and respected citizen." The resolutions were adopted by a rising vote, and the meeting was then adjourned, subject to the call of the Board of Trustees. pXcmovial J>cutiicc5 at the ^sijlum. On Decoration Day (Wednesday, May 30th, 1894), the Trustees of the Hebrew Benevolent and Orphan Asylum Society paid a fitting tribute to the memory of their late associate and President, Jesse Seligman, by memorial ser- vices, which were held in the synagogue of the Asylum. The place was crowded, among the invited guests being men prominent in the financial, commercial and political worlds. The singing of the children, under direction of Mr. Sabel, was beautiful and appropriate, and the addresses all breathed a spirit of love and admiration for the man whose memory was being honored. Hon. Oscar S. Straus presided, and after the recital of Psalm xvi., Dr. Herman Baar, the Superintendent of the Asylum, gave the following opening prayer : Prayer by Dr. H. Baar. God and Father ! " As the hart panteth after the water- brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, my God.'' To Thee, the Rock, from which help and consolation come, our longing eyes look up when grief and sorrow have entered our hearts. Oh, favor us with Thy light from above, and reach us the staff of Thy consolation when we walk in the vale of tears ! Listen graciously to our words, and grant that they may turn our mourning into hopefulness and trust, and ©ur sadness into peace and resignation. In this spirit, we have assembled here, O Father, to remem- ber before Thee, in this solemn hour, our blessed departed, our late fellow-brother and friend, Jesse Seligman. Thou hast sorely and grievously afflicted us with his earthly removal; for his very absence is painfully felt, wherever we see and look around us. A sweet home is deprived of its dearest love ; a fond brother seeks in vain for his affectionate life companion, and a whole family keenly feels the departure of one who formed such a bright and prominent member of their blessed union. MEMORIAL SERVICES 89 And, apart from home and family, his loss, O Father, is a Teal calamitous event for so many other important concerns of life. Vt'e shall miss his great patriotic devotion for this, the country of his adoption ; we shall miss him in that ardent interest he took in the welfare of this large city; we shall miss him in our congregational affairs; nay, we shall miss him, above all, in his philanthropic labors, through which he became the noble chief and President of this our l)rphan Asylum; indeed, his seat in our home will be found empty for time and time to come. And what a true and real benefactor he has been to our children, the orphans ! He was, in fact, the light of their eyes, the joy of their hearts, the comfort of their souls, the advocate of their wishes, the promoter of their plans, and the hope to whom they were looking up in shaping their future. What is it that can console us in our deep affliction ? VVe have only the sad tear to weep for our departed, the sorrowful thought to remember our departed, and the grievous heart to long and yearn after the departed. There is, however, one thing, O Father, which can throw some light over our bereavement, and that is the good name and the noble works which the deceased has left behind him. They both will perpetuate his dear memory, and will insure and proclaim his immortality here and above. We bow, there- fore, in humility to Thy Heavenly decree, and submit ourselves patiently to Thy better wisdom and judgment, and beseech Thee that Thou wilt graciously summon him before Thy Mercy-seat, wilt feed him at the fountain of I hy everlasting love, wilt cast the joy of Heaven around his soul, and the bHss of eternal peace around his spirit ! And, as he stood so foremost and prominent in every virtue that can embellish and beautify human life, let us hope. Father, that his bright example may be a model and pattern to every one of us. Let us copy our noble departed in his amiability and sweetness of temper ; let us copy him in his sterling, manly character and moral principles; nay, let us copy him in that zeal and activity with which he devoted himself so readily and joyfully to charitable objects. And, as his large and loving heart was always in closest union with the universal heart of humanity, and thus prompted him to have a kind go JESSIC SEUGMAN word and active sympathy for every human being, unmindful of creed, of descent and nationality, so, Father, strengthen us in our purposes, that we may enter into the noble footsteps of the deceased, and may show the heartiest and most amicable feelings towards our fellow-man and brother. O I'ather! We pray and beseech Thee, keep us alive; do not call us away so early from the midst of our beloved, from the sphere of our activity and labor. But, if it be Thy will to make us part from here, if it is decreed by Thee to summon us away from this mortal abode, let us part in the manner as our noble friend and benefactor did — in peace with Thee and in peace with all the world ! Amen. The children's choir then sang, " Father, to Thee we look in all our sorrow,'' after which Mr. Straus made a few intro- ductory remarks. Remarks of Mr. O. S. Straus. Friends: — The occasion which brings us together is sad, yet it is not one which should fill our hearts with grief. We should be grateful — grateful for a life so useful, precious and noble as marks the earthly career of our deceased President from beginning to end. That hfe has memorialized itself, and it is for us to draw from it the inspiration which will make our lives richer in good deeds and more helpful to our fellow-men. The career of Jesse Seligman was one of manly struggle, of kindness, of un- affected simplicity, of lofty purpose and noble achievements. His was a life of happiness, happiness for others, and. there- fore, of happiness for himself. There are wiser, more learned and more distinguished men than he was, but there are no better. He was not ambitious, and yet from an humble station he rose to eminence and power. He struggled to rise, not that he might rank among the great, but that his power might be greater to help others. Though always leading a busy and toiling life and engaged in weighty and important affairs, he had always leisure to do a noble deed and to be helpful to the poor and suffering. No man ever loved his fellow-man more than he, and I MEMORIAL SERVICES 91 doubt if ever a man was more beloved by those who knew him best. His generous heart and kindness of feehng were mirrored in his genial face. For him there was no higher post of duty than the Presidency of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum. He felt a genuine pride in it, because he knew he could do his best work here, and therefore, he gave to it his best thoughts for the past eighteen years. With him here, the children of the Asylum were not orphans; he was their father, and loved them as his children. Here he came regularly every Sunday, in rain and m sunshine, and often during the summer, when he was prevented from going to his family, he came here, to his other home, to be among his children. To have a happy home is bliss ; but Jesse Seligman had two such homes, and the happiness of the one was continually reflected in the other. The thousand children who have graduated from this asylum, the seven hundred who are now here, and the thousands yet to come and go, will all enjoy greater opportunities to lead better lives and become more useful members of the community because of his work, his love, his guardianship, and his inspiring example. When the corner-stone of this Asylum building was laid, Mr. Seligman invited as the chief orator on that occasion a most excellent man, whose life is itself a pyramid of patriotism and devotion to the welfare of others. He knew that the words of such a man would be forever a stimulus to the chil- dren, the members, and the public at large, to make this Asylum the great and useful institution it has become. His wise words and counsel were amalgamated, as it were, in the very bricks and mortar of this large building. Often have they been recalled; often have the ladies of the Auxiliary Society recurred to his eloquent and tender admonition, that each should charge herself to stand in a mother's place for at least one of the children here. To-day we are again favored by that same noble man, whose name and achievements are the pride of two continents. It is now my privilege to ask Mr. Carl Schurz to address you. Mr. Schurz then stepped forward amid a suppressed mur- 92 JESSE SELIGMAN mur of applause, and held the audience closely during his address, which was as follows : It is most fit that the memory of Jesse Seligman should be celebrated here, on this very spot. I see him now, as he stood here years ago, when the corner stone of this magnifi- cent building was laid, and when, owing to his friendly invi- tation, I enjoyed the privilege of taking part in the dedica- tion ceremonies — I see him, his face beaming with joy over the good that had been accomplished, and with glad antici- pation of the greater good still to be done, for his whole heart was in this noble work. And here, where his monument stands— not a mere monument of stone or brass, but a living monument in grateful human hearts — here, where he still lives and will not die, the lessons of his life may be most worthily learned, not to be forgotten. Indeed, the legacy not only of benefactions, but of lessons which that life has left behind it, may be, especially to the young among us, if they understand them well and treasure them up to inspire and guide their hearts and minds, of far greater value than any amount of his money that Jesse Seligman might have be- queathed to them. Some of us, may, perhaps, have envied him while he lived, as an eminently successful man. But what do we consider in him worthy of envy now, since he is dead? Why do we honor his memory, and wish that, when we shall be gone, we shall, in many respects, be remembered as he is? Because he was a rich man? Certainly not; for that is in itself nothing to be really proud of. The ambition to be merely rich is only a small and vulgar ambition. It may be gratified by the accident of birth or of good fortune; it may be gr.atified by the diligent and constant exertion of faculties which do not by any means belong to the higher attainment of human nature. Of those who, in the history of mankind, left most fragrant memories behind them, only very few were dis- tinguished by great wealth, and the mere possession of that wealth never constituted their title to affection and reverence. Are we honoring Jesse Seligman because he was a success- ful self-made man ? This is especially in our country of great opportunities, not in itself a distinction deserving uncommon esteem. I know, and no doubt you know, self-made men so MEMORIAL SERVICES 93 inordinately puffed up with their own success, so forgetful of the merits of others in comparison with their own, so oppres- sive with the ostentatious and unceasing display of their riches as well as their self appreciation, that they rank among the most disagreeable members of human society, making us wish that they had made anything else but themselves. Or do we admire Jesse :^eligman, above others, because he was a patriotic man ? No, for under ordinary circumstances it is only a natural thing to be patriotic. Especially a citizen of this Republic is more apt to attract attention and to be blamed when he is not patriotic, than to be praised when he is. All these things, therefore, are in themselves not sufficient to make a life valuable as a memory, and as an inspiration, Jesse Seligman's life, as we look back upon it, is such a valu- able memory and inspiring lesson because he rose above the ordinary level of the merely rich, self-made, liberal and patri- otic man. The ideal rich man is he who not only has come by his wealth honestly, but who uses his riches in such a fashion as to silence the voice of envy and to make those who know him, glad and grateful that he is rich. To reach this ideal com- pletely is given to but few. But it may truly be said that Jesse Seligman approached it. No doubt, he wished to be rich and worked for it. He valued the acquisition of wealth, but he valued it most as the acquisition of opportunities for something larger and nobler. He saw his business success, but not his higher ambition and his happiness in his balance sheets. He felt himself greater and happier in this orphan home than in his bank. He made his wealth a blessing to others ; he enjoyed it the more, the gi eater the blessing to others it became, and there were many who wished him to be much richer, knowing that his greater wealth would only have become to many others greater relief and comfort. He was a self-made man, as it is a joy to meet. In a high degree he had the self-made man's virtues and was remarkably free from his faults. He never forgot his lowly beginnings but never boasted of them, to contrast his success with other people's failures. His recollections only stimulated his sympathy with 94 JESSE SELIGMAN those less fortunate than himself. He did not in his affluence aflfect the rough simplicity and contempt of refinement in which upstarts sometimes demonstratively please themselves and which is only a coarse form of vanity ; and still less was he an ostentatious swaggerer bent upon letting the world per- ceive that he possessed his millions. He lived with his family in a style becoming his means, but with the modesty becoming a gentleman. There was no gaudy display of riches, no obtrusive flashing of diamonds on hotel piazzas, and no flar- ing exhibitions in opera boxes. But there was nothing mean about him or his. The hospitality of his house was hearty and most generous, but it abstained from anything that might have made one of his guests feel poor or small. Nor was there anything in him of that superciliousness not unfrequently met with in rich men which claims for them much wisdom because they have much money. In all my experience I have never met a rich man more modest, more generous, more tolerant of adverse opinion, or a self-made man less overbearing, less vain-glorious, and less conceited, more sympathetic and more helpful. As a matter of fact, he was thought much richer than he really was — richer not because of his display, but because of his benefactions. To judge from the good he did, his wealth should have been much greater. He was a liberal giver, but he gave much more than money. That rich man only manifests the true spirit of benevolence who not only gives to the needy, but who also thinks for them and works for them. It was by this that Jesse Seligman proved the genuine gold of his humanity, and nowhere did tliis gold shine more brightly than on this very spot. There was indeed no charitable enterprise within his reach that did not feel the generositv of his open hand, and when needed, the kindly thoughtfulness of his counsel, from the Hospital and the Home for the Aged, up to that remarkable triumph of wisely directed energy, the Hebrew Technical Institute, which not only successfully demonstrates that the Jew, when well guided, will take to skilled handicraft with enthusiasm and with the whole force and ingenuity of hig nature, but which also in its plan, organization and conduc^ MEMORIAL SERVICES 95 may serve as a noble model of its kind to the educators of any country and of any creed. All such endeavors could count upon Jesse Seligman's bountiful aid; and when his last will was opened and the com- munity saw the list of the benevolent institutions to which he had left bequests, without regard to religion or nationality, with unsurpassed catholicity of spirit, people asked with won- der, not what opportunities for doing good he had thought of, but whether there was any he had failed to remember. It was, however, here in the Orphan Home that his heart found its favorite field for beneficent work. Here he lived on the best of his nature. It was truly touching to see this man, loaded down with the enormous responsibilities and cares of a vast financial business, at least once a week, every Sunday morning, wend his way to this house, forget all about bonds and stocks and syndicates and chances of gain and financial crises in which fortunes might be lost, and to give all his thoughts to the little ones who are cast upon the mercy of the world — and study and scheme and work, — as indeed he did often also when he was not here to turn sunshine upon their bereaved existence, to arm them for the struggles of life and to enable them to become useful, self-reliant, self-respecting and happy citizens of a free country. This was the work he loved most, which satisfied his fondest ambition, and in which he found the most genuine happiness. In the best sense of the word, he was the father of the fatherless, and it was his active, untiring and unceasing care for the welfare of these children, more than any other of his benefactions, that stamped him as a truly benevolent man, a genuine friend of humanity, and therefore this is the noblest and most enduring of his monuments. He was a patriotic man — not in the sense merely that he cheerfully performed all his duties as a citizen, or that he gave the government valuable advice and aid as a financier whenever called upon — but that he ardently loved his adopted country, was proud of it, and was not only willing but eager to serve it. Some gentlemen of high standing among us here have in their published tributes to Jesse Seligman's memory, regretfully mentioned the fact that he and his too, have been struck at by anti-Semitic hostility — by that narrow-minded g6 JESSE SELIGMAN contemptible spirit which revived the prejudices of dark ages and seeks in barbarous persecution the remedy for evils, for which popular ignorance, sloth and improvidence are in the largest manner responsible— a spirit so utterly abhorrent to justice and enlightened reason, that it is difficult to understand how a person of self-respect can share it or behold it in others without shame and indignation. I have heard it said that a Jew cannot be a patriot, because he has no fatherland. Those who say so do not want the Jew to have a fatherland, and would, if they had their way make it impossible for him to be a patriot. A country can hardly expect those of its inhabitants to be ardent patriots whom it treats as aliens or outcasts. In the same measure as an anti- Semitic spirit prevails, a Jew is a patriot under difficulties. If he is a patriot in spite of anti-Semitic persecution, that patriot- ism is in him a virtue of especial merit. And this virtue Jesse Seligman possessed in the highest degree. I saw him and spoke with him when the smart he had suffered was fresh- I know how keenly he felt it; but I know also that had at that moment the country, or what he understood to be the public interest, demanded of him any service or any sacrifice, he wi^uld have offered it with the same enthusiastic devotion that ever had animated him. He would have remained a patriot in spite of any difficulty— a shining example for his own race to follow, putting to shame its revilers; indeed, an example to every citizen of whatever creed or origin. And now he lies in an honored grave, and by it stand with sadness, but also with pride, his dear ones whom he loved so much, and who so warmly returned his love. And you all have come, rich and poor, native and foreign born. Christian and Jew and Gentile, with hearts full of respect and affection for the man who understood the great truth, and whose life has taught the greatest lesson, that our truest and most endur- ing happiness springs from the contributions we make to the happiness of others— a lesson that every one may follow, according to his means and opportunities, each in his sphere and in his way, to win the same happiness and to deserve the same honor. It may well be said that he had not lived in vain whose life has left its mark in the advanced well being of MEMORIAL EXERCISES 97 his kind. And there are multitudes of human beings whose tears he has dried, whose distress he has relieved, whom he has helped to make strong for the struggle of life, who now and ever will gratefully affirm and proclaim that Jesse Selig- man has surely not lived in vain, and who will never cease to bless his memory. When Mr. Schurz concluded, the children sang " God shall keep thee." Mr. Straus explained that Mr. Edward Lauter- bach, who was to have spoken, was detained in Albany in con- nection with work in the Constitutional Convention, and said that Mr. Mayer Sulzberger would be the next speaker. He referred to his work in connection with the Baron de Hirsch Fund in Philadelphia, and his connection with it. Address of Mr. Mayer Sulzberger. Ladies and Gentlemen: — With the splendid tribute to the memory of Mr. Seligman that has just been paid by the distmguished orator and illustrious statesman who preceded me still ringing m your ears, it would be vain to add words of personal eulogy either of the career or the attributes of the distinguished dead. Nevertheless, it may be permitted to me to say something upon what I knew of Mr. Seligman in the special relation to which Mr. Straus, in introducing me, has called attention ; and in so doing, I may say that, though this be a memorial service, it need not necessarily be of the nature of mourning; but the commemoration of this man's death should be an occasion not for employing vain mourning, not for piling up fulsome eulogy, but for self-consecration and new devotion to that which is the best within us, to our higher motives and nobler ideas. For such a purpose, the character^ the name, the memory and the achievements of Mr. Seligman serve as a noble model. More than half a century ago, he left the country of his nativity, and went to the home of his adoption — a thing often done, a very common thing, but yet profoundly pathetic to see a boy tied to a soil by those thousand nameless ties which make us all, whether we will or not, patriots, because the love of the soil upon which we are born is implanted in the human heart. From that soil practically driven at a tender age by gS JESSE SEUGMAN the thousand shafts of prejudice and intolerance which still there survive, driven beyond the great ocean to seek a home in a strange land, and finding it there among the people in the world for liberality, for generosity, for hospitality and for manhood; and of this people he became one as absolutely and as thoroughly as if he and his ancestors for generations had been native to the soil, one by the absorption of the large and generous spirit of America, one by the assumption of the onerous and exacting and incessant duties of a higher Ameri- can citizenship, one by the practice of all those generous private virtues which so characterize the people of this coun- try. I am not here to say that, as a nation, we have no faults, but I say that, with all our faults and with all our defects, and with all the things and the many things that we have to learn, there is still not to-day upon the face of the earth a people so grand and so imposing by their past achievements, by the nobility of their present attitude, and by the hope of future work, as the American people. And of this people, as I have said, Mr. Seligman became, essentially and typically, one. But as his career from early youth to good old age Avas the career of a typical individual citizen, it also had another lesson — a lesson which we may be pardoned for alluding to here, and which cannot be dissociated from the consideration of his memory on such an occasion. Mr. Seligman was a Jew, and that meant, and that means, and that for long will mean, many things. The bravest and the grandest and the noblest of spirit do not perceive in their minds or in their hearts any difference between Jew and Gen- tile, Brahmin or Christian. To that mind and that heart which are developed into a genuine love of humanity, into a true respect for the freedom and power of development of the human soul, opinions honestly entertained, earnestly cherished, and made to work for good, can never be the subject of con- tempt, but must always be the subject of respect and of reverence. But, unfortunately, mankind is not uniformly composed of such materials. Prejudices are the oldest things in human nature. They have a longer and more illustrious ancestry, in point of time, than any other quality of our human nature. MEMORIAL EXERCISES 99 Away back in the prehistoric ages, the stranger was dreaded, and, in the more modern time, slight variations of accent or opinion serve, in a manifold sense, to revive the ancient human hatred of the stranger. Therefore it is that there is a new quahty which is added to the Jew as Jew. He must have an amount of heroism and self-denial which is a little bit greater than his neighbor, and he must also be a little bit better than his neighbor, or he will be rated as very much wQrse, and, no doubt, many are quite justly so. But Mr. Seligman's career must be looked upon as a type of that Ger- man immigration into the United States, which, beginning a httle more than half a century ago, built up the great Jewish- American community that was established here at the end of a century after our nation's birth. It was a community that had reached a certain degree of respect with the general public and a high degree of prosperity. It was improving in edu- cational facilities and opportunities, and bid fair to have a peaceful career of amiable indulgence and of fellowship with all its neighbors, wnen suddenly, from the very midst of that civilization to which we had all bowed with so much reverence, came the bleak thunder-cloud of fanaticism, first from the greatest nation in the world for scholastic education, from the universities of Germany, the scientific designation of vulgar hatred of fellow-men came to supersede the more fanatic learning of the Middle Ages, and the old "Hep! Hep!" was superseded by the modern anti-Semitism, an ethnological term intended to gild and to make respectable some of the lowest passions in the human heart. And from thence that disease spread, and resulted in the great crime of this century, the oppression of the Russian Jew, and it is with affairs in this connection that I had the most experience with Mr. Seligman. I will not describe those scenes of terror; I will not describe the splendid courage and heroism of one great man, Maurice de Hirsch, in meeting that emergency. But I cannot but allude to the reception of the news in this country — most unwelcome, most frightful news. Naturally, the high hearted would have opened their arms with enthusiasm to receive the victims of oppression and to heal their wounds. But there were among us, and I have no doubt there are still among us, lOO JESSE SELIGMAN those who felt comfortable enough, and did not want their elegant leisure and their satisfied content to be interfered with or imperilled by the advent of thousands and hundreds of thousands of strangers, undistinguished save by their poverty and strange manner and alien speech, and I have no doubt that all of you have heard Jews say that they have no business here; that if they had behaved themselves in Russia, that fine gentleman the Czar, would never have oppressed them. Some, many, have repented of these cruel words ; many, no doubt, still adhere to them, because it is easier to shut the eye to duty than to meet an emergency bravely and perform the duty. But, upon the whole, the Jews of England and of America have borne their part nobly; and of all the men who assisted to nurse and develop the spirit of self-sacrifice, the spirit of self-renunciation, which is nothing but what was their duty — of all the men who not only practised it themselves, but did the most to arouse it, inspire it and stimulate it in others, Jesse Seligman was foremost, not with vam speech, not with showy gifts, but with a soul of tenderness, with a devotion of thought and effort and time which ard the true gifts of men, that very few have paralleled. This great emergency brought out what has always seemed to me the distinguishing characteristics of Jesse Seligman as a man. He had a wealth of tenderness in his nature which I had never seen. I do not think that his feeling of resent- ment, or what would have been resentment in others, for per- sonal affront, for ingratitude or failure to appreciate service or effort or intent, I do not think that his feeling ever rose beyond pity for the person guilty of any of them. Never did vanity urge him, under any circumstances, to complain that he had not been adequately respected or treated. Under all condi- tions calculated to vex and oppress the mind of a busy man. as he was, his courtesy, his amiability, his ready devotion never failed, and he was always ready with excuses, with palliation, to ward off criticism from others. The duty which was thrown upon him and his followers, throws equally a duty upon the whole Jewish community of the United States, and notably of the City of New York. The Russian- Jewish immigration has assumed such proportions, MEMORIAL SERVICES lOI that hereafter, in reckoning with American Judaism, this factor must be taken into account, not only largely, but most largely; and I think it only fair to utilize the occasion to urge you who may look with generous self-complacency down upon these poor people, to reflect that the future of Judaism in America is to be made by them ; that in fifty years from now their grand-children will stand where the native Jews of America stand to-day; that out of the emotions and the atti- tude and the industries and the faculties that may be culti- vated in these people, will come the spirit of that section of the American people which will in fifty years be called Jewish. Let no considerations of superiority suffice to keep you away from your duty to them directly and indirectly; your direct duty is to do all that is possible to promote their well-being, not only in the ways that you think right, but also in such modification of those ways as may meet the views of what they may think right, and not only the attitude you may take to them or with your fellow Jews, but the attitude that you may take in the presence of the Christian community and of all men. No man will respect you, however he may smile upon you, to whom you may say that these are not of our kind. You may give him, old, stale, vulgar prejudices rehashed, and tell him that the Pole and the Russian and the Bessarabian, and all the other sub-nationalities coming from that quarter, are all a different kind from you, and he will cheerfully accede to it, — and go forth bearing in his heart forever the contempt for you that you deserve. That duty you owe not only to yourselves, not only to your children, not only to the Jewish community, you owe the duty to mankind. All men are alike, it matters not whence they come nor what their political or religious opinion. Some have a little different varnish from others, a little varnish of culture, a little varnish of elegance, a little varnish of philosophy, but your schools of culture vary in a century, your philosophy falls down every fifty years, and back of them all is the man. And that man, with heart, with miad, with emotions, with faculties, with passions, he is the same all the world over. And because the individual life and the life that Jesse Seligmanled in relation to the community was an object lesson I02 JESSE SELIGMAN from the first day until the last day, of the genuine oneness ot mankind, his name will, when all the worthies are called, stand high upon the list. The children sang "Over the stars there is rest," and Rev. Chas. Fleischer, a graduate of the Asylum, who has been chosen minister of the leading congregation of Boston, was introduced. Address of Rev. C. Fleischer. Since most of those who mourn with us must shed their tears in secret silence, how great is our privilege, to whom it has been granted to express our grief in public, to wreath around the memory of Jesse Seligman, the immortelles which lovingly have been laid down upon this altar. 'Tis fitting thus publicly to commemorate the character and services of those, who, by their humble efforts, have moved the world onward towards its goal. This occasion takes me back in mind to a similar scene of which I was a witness three months ago in Philadelphia. 1 here, also in a Jewish place of worship, men of all shades of belief and disbelief, men of all grades of society, were gathered. They also had assembled to honor the memory of a dear one just departed, whose virtues had deserved this tribute. The subject of the eulogies was George W. Childs, whose character and whose career were wonderfully like those of Jesse Selig- man. Indeed, to me they suggest two mighty, neighboring trees, whose upper branches intermingle in loving fellowship, though their roots and trunks are far apart. Mr. Seligman was born a German and a Jew, Mr. Childs an American and a Christian. But such greatness knows no creed or country. It is almost impersonal. Its possessor seems merely as a symbol for some higher truth. Great and good men appeal to what is noblest in us. They represent what is best in humanity. They stand for human perfectibility. They embody for us the idea of the Divine in man. We honor ourselves, we dignify manhood, in showing such men honor. The mere contemplation of such men makes us strip off the cramping clothes o( creed and caste, to recognize that we are men, aU children of one Father. MEMORIAL SERVICES I03 While we lament the loss of Jesse Seligman, yet must we thank God for the life He has loaned us. Of him we can say only what is good. His whole character was so nobly rounded, all his virtues were so beautifully set, that it would seem improper to disturb their wondrous harmony by selecting particular traits of loveliness, or by subjecting them to even a kind analysis. And yet this occasion and my part therein, demand it. Therefore, from the rainbow of his nature let me select only the most brilliant of its well-blended colors. If Jesse Seligman belonged to a certain race by accident of birth, yet he never forgot that he belonged also to the greater human race. If he was born a member of a particular religious sect, yet did he also believe in the religion of humanity. And this is no glittering, empty sense, as one who, in his worship of that abstract term — Humanity — has soared so high that he can no more see his kind. But as a Jew, steadfast and loyal, did he always live, finding in Judaism an unfailing inspiration and an impetus to love and labor for all human beings. A religion is not responsible for a man's vices, but it does deserve at least a share of credit for his virtues. Therefore, it is pro- per to speak of our deceased one as he was always proud to be known : Jesse Seligman, the Jew. For with all the fervor of his deeply reverential nature, he was devoted to the religion of our fathers. He was also a patriotic American, not only out of gratitude for the opportunity and subsequent prosperity which America afforded him, but also out of love of the principles for which our country stands. A faithful ]ew, a loyal American, yet above all was he a man who loved all his fellow-men. His philanthropy was unbounded, and he was identified with charities of all sects, of all sorts and of all nationaUties. Yet, naturally, his sym- pathy was centred in the down-trodden and dependent of his co-religionists. But, among all the many children of his care, this Hebrew Orphan Asylum was his pet child. Modest as he was to a fault, and averse as he was to holding pubhc office, yet he was more proud of being President of this institution than he would have been to be President of the United States. To 104 JESSE SELIGMAN the duties of his position he often sacrificed his private busi- ness and his social interests. He was always ivith this place in thought or in person. His first act every morning, on coming to his place of business, was to communicate by tele- phone with the worthy Superintendent. ICvery Sunday, rain or shine, saw him punctually in this building, showmg his interest in minutest details, staying until noon to bless with his benign smile each child as it walked in to dinner. For days at a time, in summer he made this house his home, say- ing that here he enjoyed his vacation most. Always this Asylum was his last care in leaving the city, his first one on returning. It is well known that on starting for the journey, from which he was not destined to return in life, he expressed his profound regret that he had to leave, because the annual meeting of the Asylum was soon to take place. So Jesse Seligman was truly Vater der Waisen. And now his orphans, whom he had adopted as his pet children, are fatherless once more ! With his own immediate family, they are chief mourners of his loss. As one of them, I speak this eulogy. As one of those who, when an inmate of this institu- tion, had learned to reverence him, I pay this tribute of an orphan's grateful tear. As one who still more recently enjoyed the warmth of his friendliness, I place this wreath of thankful- ness upon his bier. I cannot choose but think, as I stand here upon this plat- form, how I owe all I am, or ever can be, to this institution, and, therefore, most to him who was its head and front. In memory, I cannot help but trace my steps back to the time when last I stood upon this platform. It was as a child, when I read on each succeeding Sabbath to my fellow-inmates the weekly portion from the sacred Scriptures, Then came the time when I was discovered to myself, as it were. It was suggested to me that I study for the ministry. My soul grasped the proffered chance with childish eagerness. My little young mind grew bigger and older with the thought. And— well, now I have the honor to be Rabbi elect of the Reform Congregation of Boston. You will pardon this bit of personal history. I give it, not in order to boast, but to make this public expression of my MEMORIAL SERVICES 105 gratitude to the institution to which I owe my career, and to acknowledge before the world my debt to the man whose efforts, above all others, made the present prosperous condi- tion of this institution possible. Nor do I speak for myself alone, but in behalf of the hundreds now living here, who enjoy comfort and cleanliness and elevating influences, in place of the cramped and oft debasing influences from which they were rescued. I speak in behalf of the hundreds of fatherless and motherless who once lived here, many them- selves now fathers and mothers. Especially do I speak in behalf of those whom the opportunities given in this institu- tion have made honorable, intelligent and useful members of society. To all ihe world, Mr Seligman has given the best of man's gifts— himself. To us orphans, in particular, has passed the dead one's richest legacy — the lesson of his life itself. For, through such a life as his, tfiat trite old proverb from the "Psalm of Life" again gains freshness, so that we can now say with a new meaning : "Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime." Who can weigh the beneficent effect, the moral influence, of his quiet cheer, his ever ready, kindly interest and advice ? Who can follow the innumerable secret streams which flowed unceasingly from the crystal fountain of his goodness ? Has this fountain now run dry ? Can it be that Jesse Seligman is really dead ? Indeed, we shall see his genial face no more. These halls that have so often echoed to his tread shall never again hold him within their walls. This house, so long his second home, must evermore in vain await his coming. "The place that has known him shall know him no more." Is he, then, really dead? No, a thousand times No! The sun, though set, still shines in the star's radiant glitter, and in the moon's reflected ray. So Jesse Seligman still lives and will live on forever in the lives of others, through the influ. ence of noble character and charitable deed. In the lives of all who have known him — and especially in I06 JESSE SELIGMAN the lives of all his orphan-children — the character and moral influence of the man, whom we have gathered here to glorify, will live on long after the name "Seligman"' has crystallized into a synonym for honor and philanthrophy. Love begets love. Therefore, he lives and will live on forever in the love of all his fellow-men. Then let us thank God for the life which, in taking back to Himself, He has now given in its full, rounded beauty to the world. Bearing all this in mind, shall we say that Jesse Seligman is dead ? No! " 'Tis death is dead — not he ! " Rev. Dr. Kohler followed Mr. Fleischer with an earnest prayer, after which Mourners' Kaddish was recited by Dr. Baar. The choir ended the services by singing "Adon 01am." Concluding Prayer by Dr. Kohler, O Lord, God of the Spirit of all flesh ! We thank Thee for this day sacred to every American heart, bright with the holy fire of patriotism, with the glory of loving devotion and loyalty to our country, to liberty and to humanity. We thank Thee for the day solemnized by tears of affectionate remem- brance and by garlands of grateful appreciation laid upon the grives of the noble and the brave who died in order that our country and its boons of freedom and of human greatness may live. Thy blessing we invoke upon the memory of a soldier, free and brave, in the field of American philanthropy, of a leader in loyalty to our country and to our faith. With eyes still dim with tears, and with hearts pierced with grief at the loss of a great leader and prince in the field of Jewish learning, a torchbearer of the truth and of knowledge, and of the light of faith in American Israel who was brought to his last resting place yesterday, we have gathered to-day to lay down our tributes of love and esteem and lasting gratitude upon the fresh grave of a great banner-bearer of love and benevolence, of a princely practical exponent of the teachings of Judaism, the much-lamented and never to be forgotten Jesse Seligman. Precious in Thy eyes, O Lord, is the death of the righteous. Thy messenger of peace, while hiding them from our mortal MEMORIAI. SERVICES I 07 sight, carries them in the garb of beauty of Thy holiness, into realms of serener light, where they shine like the stars, shed- ding rays of comfort and cheer upon thousands of coming generations. And though we are grieved to think that the inspiring ex- ample, the leadership of Jesse Seligman in the work of Jewish charity and education no longer spurs us and charms us all on to duty ; though we sorely miss the wise counsel, the ener- getic enthusiasm and the benign smile of the goodly man ; though that warm Jewish heart, grand in its simplicity, modest in its wide interests, that model friend and father of the orphan, is no longer in our midst, we yet feel, as we were taught by our rabbis of yore concerning Abraham, Thy ser- vant, that the jewel he wore on his breast — wherewith he dried the tears and healed the wounds, and assuaged the suffer- ings of the helpless, the homeless and the fatherless — Thy hand took, as he died, and lifted it to the sky that it may con- tinue there a power for good unto ages. And so we thank Thee, for the beautiful life which it was our privilege to own. We thank Thee for the deeds achieved, for the influences exerted, for the seeds scattered by this life now garnered in Thy treasure-house of bliss eternal, May it continue to work blessing amongst us as a testimony to Ameri- can loyalty and greatness of soul, as a lesson and example of Jewish philanthropy. May Jesse Seligman forever stand at Thy mercy-seat, O Most High, as an angel of love, pleading for the shelterless, for the orphan, for the children of the poor, for the outcast and persecuted, the feeble and down-trodden of every creed and race, and claiming from the wealthy the elevation and education of the children of the needy. We crave Thy blessing for this noble monument of charity this magnificent institute of education o( the Hebrew orphan, with which his name will be forever identified as the one who has been chiefly instrumental in rendering it the pride and glory of our community. Bless the grand and beneficent work done here in Thy holy name. Bless the institution, its found. ers and its present administrators, its wise and whole-souled superintendent, his efficient staff of teachers and helpers, and grant all the glorious institutions of philanthropy and educa- I08 JESSE SELIGMAN ^ion of our city and of our country, Thy grace and crowning, success. Especially do we bless Thee to-day and invoke Thy bless- ing, for this matchless land of liberty which Thou in Thy un- speakable love hast made a shelter for the persecuted. Bless our glorious Republic for the golden opportunities offered here to every industrious hand and every brave heart, for the liberalizing and ennobling influences she has exerted upon humanity, and the Jewish race in particular. Grant, O God, that American Judaism may ever hold the memory of her great sons dear. May Israel's children forever shed lustre upon this land of liberty, upon the American flag, upon our ancient faith, and work peace and blessing among all men and nations on earth, tliat out of the homes of the rich and the poor, from the hands and lips of the living and from the mem- ory of the dead, one great anthem of praise and thanksgiving may arise, joining the angelic chorus in the cry : Holy, Holy^ Holy is the Lord of hosts, the world is full of His majesty, Amen. Newspaper Extracts. Hcxuspapcr ^^etvact^. c-? The San Francisco (Cal.) Rei>ort, April 2j, iSgd. Jesse Seligman was born in Bavaria sixty-seven years ago. He came to California in pioneer times and was prominent as a merchant in the firm of J. Seligman & Co. He was a patriotic and useful citizen and was prominent as a member of the old Vigilance Committee and also belonged to the old Volunteer Fire Department. Just before the War of the Rebellion he removed to New York, becoming a member of the banking firm of J. & W. Seligman, which was composed of seven brothers of this family, with Joseph Seligman as the head. Upon the death of Joseph, Jesse became the head of the firm. Jesse Seligman was always prominent for his charities. He was a staunch Republican and his advice was frequently sought by the financial administrators of the United States. He leaves a widow, three sons and three daughters. New York Commercial Advertiser, April 2j, 18^4. Jesse Seligman, who was the senior member of the firm of J. & W. Seligman & Co. , left here ten days ago in his private car in company with his wife and daughter. He was then in a very enfeebled state. For several months he had been much run down in health, and the trip was advised by his physician as the best manner of recovering his health. Jesse Seligman, the head of the great banking firm of J. & W. Seligman & Co. of New York, was born in a little Bavarian hamlet in 1827. The income of his parents was sadly out of proportion with the number of children, hence young Jesse was compelled, while still a small lad, to contribute his share of work toward the support of the family, and v/hile this may have deprived him of some of the sports and joys which fall to the lot of more fortunate children, it created in him those qualities of diligence and inde- pendence of thought and action which did much to make him a conspicuous figure of his time. At the age of 14 he came to America to join, in Alabama, his three older brothers ; but two years was .enough of Southern life for the Bavarian boy. He had worked hard, and with his savings came North and settled at Watertown, N. Y. , and was doing nicely there when the gold fever broke out, and he was swept by the flood to the Pacific Coast. The spirit of adventure did not prompt this step so much as the desire to grasp the opportunity which was 112 JESSE SELIGMAN offered for successful mercantile enterprise. It was as a merchant, not as the gold-digger, that Jesse Seligman went to California, and his success was a further demonstration of his adaptability and good judgment. In a short time he amassed a comfortable fortune, but his business enterprises never so far engrossed his attention that he could not interest himself in public affairs. He was a member of the first citizens' committee, which was organized to oppose the mob which terrorized California, and later on he was a valuable member of the famous "Committee of Forty," through whose labors the government of San Francisco was wrested from a band of political freebooters. In 1S57 Mr. Seligman came to New York, and in 1862, together with his brothers, founded the banking house of J. & W. Seligman & Co., which soon assumed, and still maintains, an important position in the commercial world. It was Jesse Seligman who placed the first United States bonds in European markets, and during the dark days of the Rebellion he was the confidential adviser of the Government in financial matters. He was always an ardent Republican, and though in close touch with many administrations, he persistently declined to accept public office. Mr. Seligman' s wealth was, to a great extent, a means to a noble end. He was an arduous laborer in the cause of charity and closely identified with a number of public charities, one of his pets being the Hebrew Orphan Asylum, of which he was one of the founders, and over whose Board of Managers he presided. Mr. Seligman was married at Munich, Bavaria, in 1854, to Miss Henrietta Hillman of that city, a highly educated woman. They have three sons and three daughters. Without being aggressive or obtrusive on the subject, Mr. Seligman was always an earnest upholder of the tenets of Judaism, and closely identified with its charities and the Temple Emanu-El. Jesse Seligman's genius as a financier won him the admiration of the commercial world, but a higher place, that in the hearts of the people, he secured by his broad philanthropy. Thk Mail and Express, April 2j, iSg4. Mr. Seligman was one of the most prominent Hebrews in New York. He was a very rich man, his wealth being reckoned in the millions. During the panic of last year his banking house was one of the first to come forward and urge the expediency of the government issuing bonds. J. & W. Seligman & Co. were large subscribers to the last issue. NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS II3 Mr. Seligman was a staunch Republican in politics, and his name has frequently been mentioned in connection with the nomination for the Mayoralty. The venerable banker was a member of the Union League Club, a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a member of the Geographical Society and a trustee of the American Museum of Natural History. His banking firm were the fiscal agents of the State Department during the Harrison administration. The firm has branches in Paris, London and Frankfort. Jesse Seligman was born in Europe of poor but honest parents. After his coming to America, Jesse Seligman and his brother, James, first went into the clothing business, in which they made considerable money and laid the foundation of the family fortunes. Jesse Seligman was in business in New Orleans and San Fran- cisco before coming to New York. Mr. Seligman was noted for his charities, which were wide- spread. He was one of the founders of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum and of the Montefiore Home. The World, April 2j, i8g4. Mr. Seligman has been more than fifty years in America. Fol- lowing his three elder brothers, he left his Bavarian home and came to New York in 1841. He joined his brothers in Lancaster, Pa., where he learned to speak English. The brothers went to Mobile, but as that city was too large for their small capital they finally moved to Selma, Ala. They were peddlers, and carried their own packs. Jesse was prosperous, and when only fifteen years old he owned his own store and employed clerks. The California fever of 1849 came over him, and he took a supply of goods by way of Panama to San Francisco. He started a flourishing business, and soon afterwards a great fire swept away nearly every store except his own, He visited his native land in the fifties, and in Munich met the young woman whom he married. In 1857, one of his elder brothers helped the Government in its finances, and then the Seligmans went to banking. During his residence in California, while mob rule prevailed there, Mr. Seligman became a prominent member of the Vigilance Committee, which was organized to put it down and restore order. He was subsequently a member of the famous Committee of Forty, which undertook to put the affairs of San Francisco in the hands of men who would conduct them in the interest of the 114 JESSE SEUGMAN citizens and not of the political freebooters. The purpose ,was accomplished. Mr. Seligman came to New York in 1857, s^nd in 1S62 the present banking-house was established. He was a staunch Union man during the war. His house was the first to place United States Government bonds abroad. Mr. Seligman has been a Republican since the formation of the party, and was always active in its affairs. He never held oifice, but was often urged to allow the use of his name as the Repub- lican candidate for Mayor of New York. Mr. Seligman' s charities were innumerable. The Hebrew Orphan Asylum, which he founded thirty years ago, will be an endearing monument to his name. It is one of the most admirable institutions in New York. The Evening Post, April 2j, iSg^. Jesse Seligman was born in Baiesdorf in Bavaria in 1825, and was the fourth of eight brothers, each of whom received a good education. In 183S his elder brother, Joseph, came to this country, and soon after his arrival secured employment with Judge Asa Packer, ultimately becoming his private secretary and the cashier of the bank at Nesquehoning, Pa. He got along so well that he sent home for three other brothers, including Jesse, furnishing them with the passage money. Jesse Seligman arrived in this city in 1840, and immediately purchased a stock of articles of household use, and began his new life as a peddler. He continued in that business for three years without much success, but after that business began to improve, and he was enabled to save a little money, until in 1848 he found himself a small capitalist for those days. In 1849, when the discovery of gold was made in California, young Seligman invested all of his capital in ready- made clothing and started for the Pacific. When he arrived in San Francisco in the summer of 1849, he immediately hired the only brick store in the place and began business, being remark- ably successful from the start. In spite of the reports of suddenly gained riches he never took part in any speculation, but attended strictly to business, making enormous profits upon his stock, which he increased as rapidly as was possible under the circum- stances. In 1857, the placer mining began to decline rapidly, and while he was still doing a good business he concluded to join his brothers in the East, because of the larger opportunities here. In New York he found his brothers Joseph and James in the wholesale clothing business, and became a member of their firm. When the war broke out in 1861, the Seligman brothers were NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS II5 well prepared for it and while they suffered in a measure in com- mon with the other merchants in the losses from obligations in the South, they were actually hurt very little, owing to the guarded manner in which they conducted their business. During the war the firm took many government contracts for clothing ; afterwards they concluded, in 1865, to give up the clothing busi- ness and in that year the present banking house was established in which all of the eight brothers eventually became members. Branches were soon established in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfort, San Francisco and New Orleans, and since that time the house has taken a prominent part in many United States government transactions. Mr. Seligman was heavily interested in the Panama Canal enterprise, and was at the head of the American syndicate formed to place the shares in this country. He was a prominent member of the Union League Club until he resigned a short time ago, be- cause of the refusal of the Club to elect his son as a member. He leaves a widow and three sons and three daughters. Brooklyn Times, April 2j, i8g4. Mr. Seligman was one of the best known bankers in this coun- try. He was head of the banking firm of J. & W. Seligman & Co., whose headquarters are in New York with agencies in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfort, San Francisco and New Orleans, and connections with the leading banks and banking houses of South America and the West Indies. He was the second of eight brothers, Joseph, Jesse, William, Abraham, Leopold, Isaac, James and Henry. Mr. Seligman has been a Republican since the formation of the party, and was always active in its affairs. He never held oflice, but was often urged to allow the use of his name as the Republican candidate for Mayor of New York. His charities are innumerable. The Hebrew Orphan Asylum, which he founded thirty years ago, and of which he was President, is an enduring monument to his name. It is one of the most admirable institutions in New York. He was a warm friend of Gen. Grant and contributed largely to the Grant fund, of which he was one of the trustees. He leaves a large famil^^ Brooklyn Eagle, April 2j, 18^4. Jesse Seligman, of J. & W. Seligman & Co., bankers of New York and London, died in the Hotel del Coronado, (Cal.), at 9 o'clock this morning from pneumonia and Bright' s disease. Mr. Seligman came to Coronado four daj'S ago direct from New York \ Il6 JESSE SELIGMAN with his wife and daughter. His condition had become so serious on his arrival that all of the members of his family were tele- graphed for, but he died before their arrival. In April, iSSo, when Joseph Seligman died, Jesse became the head of the firm, and presided over the parent house in New York. In 1879, when Secretary of the Treasury Sherman placed upon the market $150,000,000 4 per cent, bonds, at the advice of Jesse Seligman his firm took $20,000,000. The Black Friday panic left the Seligman firm untouched. The stability of the house was attributed largely to the careful and far-seeing management of Jesse. The bankers were largely interested in the Panama Canal project and the southern railroad system. Jesse Seligman regarded the future relations of the United States and Mexico as of vast importance, and was a staunch sup- porter of all enterprises looking toward a closer connection be- tween them. He was a member of the Union League Club and several other organizations. He was also a regular attendant at Temple Emanu-El congregation, at Forty-third street and Fifth Avenue, New York. He was President of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum and was a member of many charitable organizations, irrespective of creed or nationality. His gifts to private charities were extremely liberal. Mr. Seligman' s family consisted of three sons and three daughters. Philadelphia (Pa.) Bulletin, April 2j, i8g4. Jesse Seligman, of J. & \V. Seligman & Co., bankers. New York and London, died at the Hotel Del Coronado, (Cal. ,)at9 A. M. to-day, from pneumonia and Bright's disease. He came to Coronado four days ago, direct from New York, with his wife and daughter. His condition has become so serious on his arrival that all the members of his family were telegraphed for, but he died before their arrival. Jesse Seligman was a Republican since the formation of the party, and was always active in its affairs. He never held office, but was often urged to allow the use of his name as the Repub- lican candidate for Mayor of New York. His charities were in- numerable. The Hebrew Orphan Asylum, which he founded thirty years ago, and of which he is President, will be an endur- ing monument to his name. It is one of the most admirable insti- tutions in New York. A friend of the Seligmans writes that they are Hebrews, and were formerly peddlers and dealers in old clothes ; but the im- mediate parents of the family now so well known were well enough off to give to their eight sons a fair education. Indeed, NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS II7 Joseph, the eldest, was a graduate of the University of Erlangen, and had scholarly aptitudes. It was Joseph who had the personal difficulty with Judge Hilton which led to the famous anti-Jewish ukase banishing Hebrews from the Grand Union Hotel at Sara- toga. In 1857, the Seligmans became immense clothing contractors, and their profits were so enormous that at the close of the war their means were ample enough for them to relinquish their cloth- ing business and to open a banking-house. In that year all the eight brothers became members of the firm. Their names were Joseph, Jesse, William, Abraham, Leopold, Isaac, James and Henry. Joseph, the leader among the brothers, died some years ago. He was a man of ideas apart from his business, and in religious matters he became a radical of the extremest sort. He was a follower and a principal supporter of Felix Adler, the elo- quent young Jew who preaches on Sunday mornings in Chickering Hall, New York, advocating in his own phraseology, " Deeds in- stead of Creeds." Jesse never went as far as Joseph in religious matters ; but he and all his brothers belong to the liberal or reformed Jews, who worship in the Temple Emanu-El, in Fifth avenue. There is but little to distinguish them from orthodox Unitarians. The house of Seligman has branches in all the financial centres I of the world. It has agencies m London, Paris, Amsterdam ' Frankfort, San Francisco, New Orleans, and connections with the leading banking-houses of South America and the West Indies. Jesse was for a long time the head of the house, and enjoyed the distinction of being ex-President Grant's banker. He had intimate personal relation with the ex-President, and they owned adjoin- ing cottages at Long Branch. i The Seligmans have made a great deal of money by their con- nection with the government as contractors, bankers and members of the various syndicates for placing the governments loans. Philadelphia (Pa.) Telegraph, April 2j, i8g4. In the financial schemes of the Government Jesse Seligman was more than once a trusted adviser. In the refunding measures of Secretary Sherman in 1879, when $150,000,000 of 4 per cent, bonds were placed upon the market, the Seligman Brothers took $20,000,000. The Seligmans have survived every panic, including the memorable " Black Friday." Not only as a banker did Jesse Seligman achieve success. His investments in Southwestern railroads have brought him in handsome returns. Another in- i K Il8 JESSE SEUGMAN vestment not so fortunate was made in the Panama Canal project. Always a faithful adherent of the Hebrew faith, Mr. Seligman was President of the New York Hebrew Orphan Asylum, and is deeply interested in many other Hebrew charitable organizations. He was a prorriinent member of the New York League Club. Mr. Seligman has three sons and three daughters. San Diego (Cal.) Sun, Ap7-il 2j, i8g4. Jesse Seligman, the famous New York banker, died at the Hotel del Coronado this morning at 9. 30. Mr. Seligman arrived at the hotel on last Friday with his wife and two daughters. He had been treated in New York for some time, but the nature of the disease was there said to be something quite different from what the physicians here pronounced it. Bright' s disease. He was infirm when he arrived, but was not thought to be in danger till yesterday when it was seen that a crisis was imminent, and his physician said, twenty-four hours would determine whether he would die quickly or convalesce. This morning he grew rapidly worse, but retained consciousness till the very last. The body was brought over by Johnson & Co., where it will be embalmed and await the arrival of the three sons, one of whom is in Montana, but all of whom started this morning on special trains for San Diego. Upon their arrival, the family will accompany the remains back to New York. Jesse Seligman was one of the greatest of 'New York bankers, and his wealth is rated at many millions. He was largely inter- ested in Santa Fe and other railroad stocks. Deceased was sixty-six years of age, a native of Germany. The World, April 24, i8g4. Jesse §eligman, the New York banker, died at Coronado, Cal., April 23, a little after g A. M. The end came peacefully, and con- sciousness was retained to the last. Mr. Seligman came to Coron- ado last Friday, accompanied by Mrs. Seligman and two daughters. He had felt for some time that his health was im- paired, and he hoped the quiet of this place and the mild climate would restore his health. He expressed himself as hopeful when he came that the change would benefit him, and for a time it seemed that his expectations were well grounded. Shortly afterwards, however, his condition became serious, and it was evident yesterday that a crisis was coming. His immediate family was notified to prepare for the worst. He sank steadily during Sunday night and until he died. NEWSPAPER Extracts 119 The body has been taken to an undertaker on the San Diego side of the bajs where it will be embalmed and retained until the arrival of his three sons. When they arrive the body will be sent to New York. The local physicians who attended Mr. Seligman say Brighbs disease caused his death. They declare further that his ailment was not properly diagnosed in New York, and that his treatment was of no benefit. He was supposed to be suffering from pneu- monia when he came here. At the banquet which was given to Jesse Seligman October i, 1891, at Delmonico's, by the officers and directors of the United Hebrew Charities, there was paid to Mr. Seligman a tribute such as few private citizens have received. Jacob H. Schiff, who pre- sided at this meeting, said among other things ; " Honored by the best of the nation because of the purity of his patriotism and his loyalty to his country, respected by his towns- men for his civic virtues and public services, beloved by his co- relisfionists because of his warm devotion to his race, whose best interests he stands ever ready to serve and defend, Jesse Seligman is, we proclaim it with pride, the truest and best ex- ponent of the type of a man and a Jew, whom only a great country like our own can produce, a representative Hebrew- American." It was in the admirable speech made at this banquet that Mr. Seligman told something of his life— a life that has won for him the respect and admiration of the people of this city and those elsewhere who knew him. No man was broader in his views, more tolerant, more kindly, more true philanthropic. It was said of this speech that it should be placed before every youth in the land, that he might profit by the lessons therein contained. The Financial Recoi'd has said of the firm of J. & W. Seligman, of which the man who had just died was the most prominent member: "The name of Seligman is a tower of strength and synonymous of all that is progressive, liberal and influential, not ' only in the financial marts of the Western continent, but in Europe as well." Jesse Seligman was born in a little village called Stadt Baiers- dorf, Bavaria, where his ancestors, dating back over 200 years, lie in the village cemetery. His father was poor, and had eight sons and three daughters. Jesse Seligmar was born in 1827. His eldest brother, Joseph Seligman, was graduated from the Uni- versity of Erlangen, and Jesse attended the Gymnasium in that town with the intention of entering the university. oseph Seligman was the first of the family to come to this I20 JESSE SEUGMAN country, arriving here in 1837. He obtained a place as cashier with Asa Packer. Two years later the next older brothers came to this country. They wrote home glowing letters of the success which they had here and the possibilities offered by the new country. Influenced by their letters, Jesse gave up the university and May i, 1S41, he started for Bremen. There he took passage on a small ship bearing the name of Johann Georgic. The voyage took forty days, and during that time he slept in a white-washed cabin on a board with a blanket to cover him. Mr. Seligman landed at Castle Garden with his little wooden box. There he was directed to a good hotel where he could stop at the rate of $1 a week, and he found a place in Division street, where he remained two weeks. Then he went to Lancaster, Pa. , where his three older brothers, Joseph, William and James, were in a small business. "I remained in Lancaster a few weeks," he has said, "during which time I learned the English language to some extent, and at the same time mastered the science of smok- ing penny cigars. ' The year before Jesse came to this country, James had spent a year in the South, returning with a net profit of about $Soo, and the other brothers took the advice of this purse-proud nabob, as Mr. Seligman has described him, and decided to move to that part of the country. The four brothers came to New York and took passage on a schooner, which, taking six weeks to make the trip to Mobile, was nearly wrecked on the way. Their capital was small and would not permit them to open a business in a city so large as Mobile, and they went to Selma. There they opened a small store. Joseph remained in charge, while William, James and Jesse made a tour of the surrounding country, getting information and selling goods. Their capital increased so rapidly that they were enabled to open other stores at Greensborough, Eutaw and Clinton. At the age of fifteen Jesse Seligman was the owner of his own store in Eutaw, with two clerks in his employ. The Seligmans continued prosperous in business in the South until 1848, when they decided that they could do better in the North. Two of them came to this city and established an import- ing business. Jesse and Henry closed up the business in the South and then went to Watertown, N. Y., where they opened a dry-goods business, which proved very profitable. It was while he was in Watertown that Jesse Seligman met Gen. Grant, who was then a lieutenant, stationed at Sackett's Harbor. They be- came warm friends, and this friendship lasted until Gen. Grant's death. When the gold fever broke out in California, Jesse Seligman NEW.SPAPER EXTRACTS 121 saw that opportunities for making money rapidly presented them- selves in San Francisco, so in 1S50, leaving his brother Henry in charge of the Watertown store, and being accompanied by another brother, Leopold, who had come over from Bavaria, Jesse Seligman started for San Francisco, taking with him a large quantity of merchandise and going by way of the Isthmus. He had much difficulty in getting his goods carried across the Isthmus, because of the scarcity of mules. He opened the largest store in San Fran- cisco in the only brick building in that place. This was one of the few buildings which escaped the great fire in San Francisco. The volunteer firemen did such good service for him that he joined Howard Company No. 3 that very night, and he ran with the machine for several years. This fire did much to advance his for- tune in those days, because his was the only merchandise house that was not destroyed. Mr. Seligman speedily became known in San Francisco as a public-spirited citizen. When the city became overrun with robbers, in consequence of the gold excitement, Mr. Seligman was made one of the famed Committee of Twenty-one, and he was one of its most active members. Company No. 5, of which he was the Captain, did particularly good service. This Vigilance Com- mittee proceeded against the desperadoes with such vigor and with such certainty in the use of the rope that they were speedily driven out of the city. When San Francisco was made peaceful and law-abiding, Mr. Seligman went to Europe to visit his old home. This was in 1854. It was during this trip that he met in Munich the young 'woman who became his wife. When he returned to San Francisco, he found it under control of disreputable politicians, and in 1856 he was one of the Com- mittee of Forty selected to nominate a clean ticket and purify the City Government. Much of the credit for the success of this com- mittee was given to Mr. Seligman. The following year his inter- est in civic aft'airs led him to remain in San Francisco after he had planned to come to New York. This probably saved his life, as ■ he had taken passage on the Central America, which went down at sea. Mr. Seligman came to New York in the fall of 1857, during the great panic. From then until his death he made New York his home. For several j^ears he continued his California business, looking after it from this city. It was about this time that the brothers decided to enter upon the banking business. This was the result of a conclusion that their capital could not be invested to advantage in dealing in merchandise. Joseph Seligman, now dead, was looked upon by the other brothers much in the light of / 122 JESSE SEI