The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1860-01-05
NO. 20.
Hope for Poor Boys.


Our country presents peculiar advanfa-
ges to all for the attainment to influence
and distinction; but an eternal condition
Is imposed upon those who wish to avail
themselves of the opportunities so profuse-
ly offered. 1t is law, too, which demands
the most faithful observance, or its viola
ton will shatter all the dreams and high
antlcipations of youth. In examining the
history OF our great men, we find that Sc
we're labor was necessary to their success.
1t IS an element which characterizes the
Anglo-SaXon race, and to which that har-
dy people, amid obstacles of untold mao
nitude, owe entirely their superiority
The volatile Spaniard, attracted by the
love Of gold, flung the Castilian banner to
the breeze on the palaces of the Montezu-
mas. His career was one of triumph, and
enriched with the most magnificent treas
ures; yet to-day, Mexico, though one of
the most fertile spots upon the globe, is
sad picture Of degradation aud anarchy.
Greece-"the land of the cypress and the
myrtle the home Of the poets, the phi
losophers, the statesmen, and the heroes,
has sadly degenerated. Italy is the VIC
tim of superstition, Ignorance and imbe-
cility.
1t can be easily deduced what is the
cause OF the success of the Anglo-Saxons,
and the decay Of the other nations. While
ole encountered the fierce inclemencies of
the North, and defended themselves from
the yindictiye warfare of the savage, the
other luXuriated on the spontaneous pro-
ductions of the earth. As no labor was
required, eheminacy was the result, and
their present condition bears undeniable
evidence to the effect consequent upon a
violation of natures law
National prosperity, intelligence and
growth are the offspring of labor Inac-
tlyity Is the cause Of obscurity and decay.
/ Poverty is allied to genius, and is the nat
ural stimulus to action. The men who
have left behind them imperishable names
have generally risen from poor and humble
| parentage. Homer, the poet, sang his YER
ses about the streets for his daily bread
! Platus turned mill. Linneus, founder
of science, was apprenticed to shoe-ma-
kcr. Ben. Jonson worked some time as a
/ brick-layer. The father of Haydn, the
great musical composer, was wheelwright.
John Hunter, one OF the greatest antomists
! that ever lived, made chairs and tables in
! his youth. Claude Lorraine, whose pain
tings are to be found in the most valuable
libraries of Europe, was formerly pastry
cook. Our own great philosopher, Ben
Franklin, the printer-boyawas the son of
chandler Henry Clay, the 'smillboy
of the Slashes," arose to the highest pin
nacle OF fame as an orator and statesman.
j ohm Jacob Astor and Stephen Girard,
two of the greatest capitalists that were ev-
er known commenced with nothing. Mil
lard Fillmore worked as a wool carder.-
Horace Greeley was raised in log hut in
Vermont. Daniel Webster slept in cra-
die made out of pine log with an axe
and auger, and Lewis Cass was rocked in
a secondhand sugar trough.
What iIlustrious examples for poor boys
to initiate. Diligence, industry, and per-
severance, are all the essential requisites
necessary to reach the same position
Hope on, boys, and hope always.-Easto's
Times.