316                     THE   OLD   MERCHAJVTS
 

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Who woulel not do honor to the merchants of New
York ? What a glorious class of our citizens in peace or
war, and especially in war! What have not our hero
merchants done within a few weeks ? Their names
should be immortal. We note passing events with a
recording pen. Our old merchants are a credit to the
city — the nation — the age. How they have disap¬
pointed those who barely showed their patriotism a few
weeks ago, by stating that love of gold and traffic would
absorb their love of country.

At the meeting of merchants a few days ago, one old
merchant, P. Perit, of the firm of Goodhue & Co.,
called the attention of his hearers to the fact, that he
and another one (then present) had attended a meeting
of merchants for the same purpose, in the War of 1812
— 49 years ago.

Among other eminent merchants, there was one here
once, named Samson V. S. Wilder. He at one time
lived in Chambers street. No. 151 — and afterward,
when wealth moved up town, Mr. Wilder moved too,
and located in Washington Place. His counting-room
was for many years at 42 Wall street.     He was the