Smyrna times., 1869-02-17
COLOSSAL FORTUNES.

The inequalities of fortune have constituted
the theme of countless ctfuSiOnS in all ages and |
in all climeS, and men are but little better for |
all that has been written. When Senator Wade |
let off few commonplace remarks on the sub |
ject, property owners Sensltlvely took the alarm
and raised such a clamor that the Senator was
frightened at his own words. But we doubt
it any ordinary person can contemplate, with
out serious miSgivings the announcement that
Baron Rothschid, who recently died i'll Paris,
was worth two thousand millions of francs, or
four hundred millions of dollars. 1t was
observed at the time that he was charitable
man, and that the poor OF Paris deplOred his
loss deeply.
Yet during all the long, weary years that he
was engaged in amassing that stupendOus for
tune men and women were starving to death,
or committing suicide from want and suffering
in that very city of Paris. Who can tell th4
multitude of unfortunates who. wrecked in for
tune by the change on the BOurse wrought
and controlled by this man, have plunged into
eternity to escape suffering and rcprOach!
| Who can tell how often the loaves of the baker
have been reduced and the poor punished be-
cause some of Rothschild's operations had run
up the flour market? Who can tell how many
widows and orphans have had their little all
enguted in the maelStrom Of fiscal operations
| that brought ruin to thousands and tortuned
!
him?
Charity How many millions did he give to
the poor? In order to be truly charitable he
ought to have devoted about half his fortune
to such persons, for nothing else would have
relieved him of the responsibility for the evil
he had wrought in seeking to pile up such trc-
mendous boards. Stephen Grard achieved a
colossal fortune in commerce, but he left the
bulk of it to clucate the orphan children of the
poor John McDonough, Of New Orleans, fol-
lowed his example. George Peabody has not
waited for his death bed to warn him Of his du-
ty He has given his millions to the needy.
But these are American mlionaires and in
spired with the American ideas Of the greatest
good to the greatest number. How could any
one expect such things Of men like the ltOths-
child? 1t is related of this one, who died wortt
four hundred millions of dollars, that wher
, Audubon, the great naturalist, was about tC
published his famous work on ornitholOgy, ht
f waited on the millionaire with letter of intro
duction, was treated rudey refused a subScrip
tion ordered to send his book when printed
and when it was SO sent was refused his price
1t perhaps required such a soul to amass sucl
fortune.
He could not take his money with him int,
J the next world In fact all he carried with hiu
! to the grave was wooden box. But he still
cOntrived to let the evil of his system Survv,
E him. For the wealth of the RothschidsiS is jeal
: ously guarded against division by preventing
o the children from marrying out of the family
!, Even to the day of his death he managed t
q keep those nearest to him ignorant of half hi
J, wealth by opening great number OF account
in false names.
How often have the schemes of this deao
q Rothschild produced embarrassment in til
. 2 markets of America? How often has he nc
n spread ruin over thousands of our countryme
o by means of influences ccntreing in his house
$ London and Paris, over which no America
v could have any control? There have been time
- when such were supposed to have rendere
/ great public services by the command of tiSc;
!. resources. But the present Emperor Of Franc
,s has emancipated governments from derendenC
q on this class by means of his great popular LOAF
q raised by appeal to the whole mass of the pc
% ple That invention has exploded the bubb
h on which the reputation of men like ROthsch
! has been resting. LII any age, in any cOuntl
- under any circumstances, such colossal tOrtun,
p1 are nusances. So far from beneftting the pc
" pie in any way, they increase the downwal
= tendencies Of the poorer classes; and all Il
II benevolence the millionaires can achieve
# their gifts or bequests will not atone for II
e misery they infct upon millions Of the hum'
II race.