Born in New York City, February 12, 1791; died there, April 4, 1883. Limited education, learned trades of hatter and carriage-making. Business, manufacturing machinery, cabinet ware, glue, and iron industry. Built first locomotive engine constructed in America; largely instrumental in laying the Atlantic cable; very charitable; best known for interest in industrial education; builder of the Cooper Union for the advancement of science and art, 1854. Building and endowment cost $1,000,000.
Peter Cooper.
is arrayed against class, company against company, hatred against avarice, man against man—to force the coffers of other men; and when it is worked out, all that might have been is lost, and the full coffers of eternity are bolted and barred against them. Is it worth it?
How much better, O, how infinitely much better, is that union which Christ is instituting among men! Running all through it are the golden threads of love, and hatred and strife and accusation have no place. Selfishness is sacrificed; but in its place we have all working for the good of each, and the hearts and interests of all twined and intertwined and woven into one harmonious web of love and peace stretching out in undimmed and unending beauty as long as the universe holds and God lives. Works of love and mercy here, and all the riches and blessings of eternal life when Christ shall come. That is the union for which we plead. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
