The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-07-30
For the CARBON ADVOCATE.
EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY.

If there is one feeling in the human
breast that brings misery and despair above
all others it is discoLtent. Rushing on in
the noise and din of industry, coming in
daily contact with those whom we readily
acknowledge to be our superiors, or at times
enjoying the solitudes of our homes, the all
absorbing question arises within us, Why is
their such inequality in the social and in
tellectual attainments of man? The So
cialistic plainly shows us that the ineyta-
BILE tendencies of modern society are to
bring the questions involved more and more
to the front. Partial observers deplore
such state of affairs, but let those who
think and reason for themselves, not CEN
sure too severely before they exercise those
faculties which are intrusted to them as
guiding stars in their dealings Of man with
man. Take glance at the living things
around you, and you will find that none
have grades of distinction, but all are
equally bound by the law of nature and
their own being. Such similarity, it may
be said, does not and could not under any
circumstances exist within man, for he has
that living, spiritual essence upon which
his superiority depends, and to which the
different phases of life are due. Should
than man be taught that? that which
was intentend TO raise them to q higher
and nobler sphere of their activity, recoils
upon them to make even the full enjoy
ment of their annual existence an impossi-
bility. This might also lead to the conclu-
sion that civilization is an abnormal state,
for it is undenisbe that the condition Of
numbers in CIVILIZED Europe and even in
England and France, is more wretched
than that of most savage tribes known to
US. Were it to continue thus the suaerings
of the philanthrophists and the death Of
the martyrs would have been in vain. But
gradual transformation of the entire So
cal structure is steadily going on, for the
light of manhood, suffrage, placed on this
Western land, has already dspelled the
gloom Of dependency from many a down
cast and despairing sufferer. America has
refuted the profound theories of the once
renowned thinkers of political science, and
caused the fall oftheir entire superstructure.
The principles upon which our institutions
are founded, and their liberaity have raised
the heretofore unrecognized standard of the
equality Of opportunity. We are not com
olIal 40 ,,,aroo,,,a 1I a lyau,aoas of 40 eta
and nobility, but each one stands on the
same stage of action, and proper judgment
of his own abilities dare not fail him in the
part he intends to play, if heis to be lead
er in his profession. But genius will inevi-
tably assert iteelf and its epitaph will
not remain unwritten. "Chill Penury" did
not freeze the genial warmth that flowed
from the soul Of the worlds dramatist
When he left Stra ford on Avon, his future
was shrouded in the cloud of uncertainty
but his noble rags were not to be repressedi
is William Shakespeare. Robert Burns
touched the Tyre, and as it echoed through
the heaths aud glens of Scotland, the rustic
highlander tell down and worshipped at th'
shrine of his music. An Augustine monl
proclaimed anew that salvation was fo
those who believed, and was instrumental
in remodelling the entire social and relig
ious structure of the civilized world. Al
apprentice sent the hum Of industry through
our own rich and beautiful valley, callinl
to life its inexhaustble stores, and caused
to be inhabited by an intelligent and happ.
people. Such men poverty has crsdled AM
} affliction schooled. Men who are not onl.
recorded in history, but are history them
selves, the hinges upon which epochs turn
aud by whom ages are moulded. If yo
? cannot move the world by your talent G
( influence or by your riches, you can be a
8 honorable man with az honorable calling
Great men, like magnificent edifee, in
r spre all with awe, while the foundation
. upon which all its granduer rests are scare,
4 ly noticeable. So those who are unnotiee
a and dlsregarded are the pillars and support
b of the glory, honor and renown Of tho'
S whom it is pleasing to designate the grea
= for how eould there be literary philosopl
= ic, diplomatic or military fame withol
b minds to comprehend their granduer, dept
S and ingenuity. Aiter all the intelligent mu
i titude are the bone aud muscle Of a natioi
d its strength in war, in peaes lis security.