1870.] 379 



great scheme, it secured large contributions from our citizens, and as 

 its crowning work, it organized the Great Central Fair in 1864 an 

 enduring memorial, not merely of the patriotism and mercy of the 

 people of Philadelphia, but also a wonderful proof of their perfect 

 trust that their vast benefactions would be wisely administered by 

 Mr. Binney, and the gentlemen associated with him. 



It has sometimes been said that the war and its duties, brought into 

 active excercise qualities in many men which had lain dormant all their 

 lives, and of the existence of which they themselves had hardly been 

 conscious. But in Mr. Binney 's case, the war only offered an oppor- 

 tunity for an exhibition on a wider sphere of virtues, which had been 

 his essential characteristics through life. He had courage, for in- 

 stance, not mere coolness in the midst of danger, although he pos- 

 sessed that to an eminent degree, but a much loftier quality, which 

 the French call the courage of one's opinions. His convictions were 

 intensely strong, and when once formed, no power on earth would 

 move him. Out of every conviction grew a duty, which soon brought 

 forth fruit in an appropriate act. No one who knew Mr. Binney, 

 could doubt his perfect readiness to maintain opinions so formed, 

 with the courage and constancy of a martyr. And yet there was 

 at all times in him, such true modesty, and a manner so unassum- 

 ing, and almost shrinking, that to many the real strength of his na- 

 ture lay hidden. His largeness of view, and his innate sense of cour- 

 tesy, preserved him from the slightest taint of arrogance when he 

 differed from others. Certainly, no opinions were held by Mr. Bin- 

 ney more strongly or clearly, than those concerning the nature and 

 the functions of the Church, and yet I have seen him in the most in- 

 timate personal relations with representatives of almost every type 

 of thought on this subject, except his own, at all times most zealous- 

 ly co-operating with them in the performance of duties demanded by 

 a common Christianity. 



As Mr. Binney was earnest and constant in his devotion to any 

 cause the success of which he had at heart, so he was enthusiastic in 

 his attachment to those whom he honored with his friendship. This 

 is a trait of his character which I think is little understood. Few 

 suspected what a fount of generous affection and tenderness lay hid- 

 den under that quiet and undemonstrative exterior. When he once 

 trusted a man, he seemed to give himself up wholly to him. The 

 only instances which I can recall, in which his usually calm judgment 

 was disturbed, arose from this intense desire to serve his friends. On 

 one occasion I had urged him to support for an important position a 

 gentleman in whose success I felt a deep interest. After listen- 

 ing patiently to what I had to say, he suddenly exclaimed : "Do not 

 press me, do you know that Dr. - (the opposing candidate), once 

 saved my life ? " Then again, he was led to feel that one of his friends 



