Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-08-04
Poor BOYS Great Men.

bOY born IN lne Oniteu OtdteS 10 u N'
date for highest honors. In every depart
ment of our industries-in all tho deslra-
Bile and honorable walks of life-we ind
the children of poverty.
Not all the children of the poor rise
above the condition of their PARENTS
neither do all the children of the rich fall
below. But probably the great majority
of the most successful men were poor
boys.
As to wealth. faw are rich by Inherit
ance. Inherited fortunes arc oftener lost
than preserved. Most men of means have
earned and saved. Their capital consisted
of willing hands. clear heads, good habits
and necessity to work for living. And
any poor boy may become independent.
Though without dollar at twenty-one,
he may own his thousands at fifty or sixty.
And public life is open to the boys born
in poverty. They may become the mag
mates at Washington rs well as in Wall
street.
The last twenty years are full OF the
romance of fact. Abraham Lincoln was
then (1S6O) on the home race for the
White House-one of the poorest OF all
poor boys. one of the greatest of all great
men.
Another son of obscurity and poverty
was Andrew Johnson-and still another
was U. S. Grant. Henry Wilson also! How
poor! Indeed, he spent a part of his
childhood in the town poorhouse.
And millions of our people expect 10 see
another child of poverty soon elected to
tbe.presidency of the republic. James A.
Garfield was poor enough, and now he
stands one of the foremost citizens of a
nation of fifty millions. Tho eyes of the
world are upon him.
How do these men get to be so great9
ley we're not born great. They were
very common boys in their day and no.
body took special notice Of them. How
did they gel up? They dill not jump up.
Inc nelRntS Dy great men EedCueu heVb
Were not attained by sudden flight;
But they, while others slept,
We're toiing upward in the night"
This is the whole of it,-tbcy worked
and did not S7uander themselves or their
wages or their good namss. They kept
up with and little ahead of other boys
all along. They never lost their places.
What if it is ragged or coarse clothes a
few years? Therc'll be money to buy
better sometime. What if few journeys
have to be made afoot? Thcre'll be money
to own coach sometime. Work soM ,oin
money, and good habits will keep enough
of it for comfort and independence. What
if books are few? Muster The feW and
more will be found.
The difference between competence and
poverty few years hence is just the
difference now between saving and squan-
dering small earnings. The difference
between knowledge and ignorance few
years hence is the difference now between
the use and misuse OF spare hours. The
difference between future greatness and
Iittleness is the difference now between
industry and idleness, between good habits
and bad.
Every boy will make his own fortune, il
be shall have one, and, if his life becomes
a failure, curse to himself and no bless
ing TO anybody else. it will be his OWE
fault There are multitudes of good places
open and opening for the boys that can fill
them.
Take hold of any honest work that
comes to hand. Do it and do it we'll until
something better offers. Study and strive
to be the best kind of men, and you will
not lack for opportunities to use and honor
all the talents you have.
The truly able and faithful ueru seldom
fill of their ambition. Such enjoy life
such are appreciated, such succeed
Though poor when boys, yet their souls
are great, and their greatness gains the
confidence and honors of men.
Poverty is not altogether curse. The
sins which make men poor and keep them
poor afe the curse. Poverty may have its
peculiar trials, as wealth has its peculiar
dangers. But poverty has often developed
energies, sharpened wits, induced industry
economy and self-reliance, and thu. ha.
contributed TO the conditions OF wealth ant
all greatness among mer.
The future millionaires are being rocked
in rude cradles and their apparel is neither
fine nor abundant. Future presidents are
more likely to be chosen from families
now lowly and poor. The lordly mansion
and its occupants are already seeing their
best days. But there are toiling men ant
women, in humble cottages, even in log
houses or dug outs, whose names will be.
come historical. Their children, educated
to work, nurtured in tho principles Of
Righteousness, taught to be unselfsh
noble, true and Godfearing, will be heard
from,