Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-08-01
Stlisteuang,
For THE OXFORD DEMOCRAT
4 Plea for the Rich Man.

4 Plea for the Rich Man.
1t seems 20 be favorite pastime with
many people to draw parallels from the
rich and the poor and endeavor to excite
antagonistic feelings between the two.
With them, one is the oppressor and the
other the oppressed, and the downfall OF
wealthy man is contemplated with
pleasure. II we would analyZe this class
of grumblers we shall find they are actu-
ated by envy and viciousness. and the
rich men they portray are such disgusting
If they think wealthy man is arrogant
because he rides behind two horses, it is
because they envy him aud want to
change places with him. The true. mind
cd man will rejoice in his Heighbors
prosperity. But this class of men never
stop to consider that wealthy men are an
essential constituent OF the community,
and that their great capital counts in the
general wealth of the country. Where
is the poor man whose situation is not
benefited by wealthy neighbors. The
contrast may sometimes make him feel
poorer than lie really is, but he can but
see that where there is wealth he
stands q better chance to gain some OF it
than where there is none.
Last summer / sat down to rest in
beautiful park which was charmingly
laid out and ornamented with flowers
shrubbery and fountains. West OF this
park was an avenue oil palatial mansions
whose artistic designs and pleasant sur
roundings betrayed the wealth and
esthetic tastes of their owners.
While sitting there man OF sixty or
thereabout sat down beside me and began
to discourse about the surroundings.
Whose residence is thaty" | asked.
pointing to a grand house near by.
That is M-'s,". he replied. Hes
rich as jew and puts on airs enough Tor
prince. can remember when he
wasn't worth cent. and he hadn't ought
to be now. Here am and can hardly
get my bread and clothes, and he riding
round in fine carriages and counting his
bonds. l hope the day will come when
be will know what it is 10 be where L
am. wish he had to give me half he's
worth"
| looked at the speaker in astonishment
and then it flashed upon me that the per-
sonsl history OF the two men were famil-
lar to me. His apparent poverty mutely
appealed for friendly aid. yet could feel
but slight sympathy for him. His bitter
language reflected painful picture, and
l lelt like addressing him as follows:
Forty years ago you and M started
in lite for yourselves. You were an easy
good-natured fellow, with no fixed prin-
cples in life; he vas industrious, pru-
dent and straightforward. He toiled
through the day and lived frugally. while
you idled your time away about the
streets. He spent his evenings in self
improvement, while you were with gay
company, spending your money tol
cigars and wine. AS you grew Older
you became poor and one by one your
friends left you, but he. by his earnes
efforts. accumulated wealth; and now he
lives in that beautiful mansion surround
ed with many attractions. He has giver
thousands of dollars 10 the poor, he yearly
paws thousands to the State and Gov ern
ment in taxes, and his munificence gave
to the public this park where the poores
of the city may freely come and sit in thu
sunshine. under the blue sky, among
flowers and shrubbery. Is II not bettsl
to have all this than notP Has not h'
done something for The good OF his fel
: lows. something worth living for? Ant
yet, you who have had the same oppor
lunilies IN life, but wasted them in idle
ness, come here and curse him for simply
enjoying the hard-earned competency o
lifetime, even under the cooling shade
t of the trees which his bounty has PLACED
! here for your benefit.
o, man, does not The voice Of the loun
tain shame you, and these very flower
rebuke you?
From this park let us look towards tn
e city. There is noble structure, tn
Public Library, The gift OF rich n an
Let US look inside. 1t is Tree to th
whole city. The thinly clad boy or girl
no matter how poor, who can neither bu
nor borrow the smallest pamphlet, ma