The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-08-04
"Intelligent Effort Prospers.

EDITOR GOLD LEAF:-It seems at this
particular time every one is having
something to say Tor rather is granted
the privilege) regarding the masses; so
if you will grant me a little space l will
tax your readers with what conceive to
be few pertinent suggestions. How
often do we now hear the expression
'the rich are getting richer and the poor
are getting poorer" Though a very
ignorant expression it is alarming to
what extent it is believed by the brethren
OF the speaker. If we will only reflect
for short while how many men of our
own acquaintance have we known to
have been recognized as men OF wealth,
and to-day what is their financial condi-
ton? On the other hand with a few re-
fiecting thoughts can't we easily name
scores of men who but few years since
were in the clutches OF poverty and have
now thrown off the shackles OF a slave
and living in luxuriance and ease? (SOme
reader will say this is luck; we'll the same
luck is held out to all the human race in a
land of freedom like this). | may be
"murdered'' for a little personal refec-
ton here, but for one | feel proud that
North Carolina can boast of a few mil
lionaires to-day who but q few years
since we're poor boys. Their money too
was made by hard work and wrestling
with experience and capital. How many
of our best-to-dO farmers in this section
were living On salaries (and those smalD
but few years since? How many OF
started as "a day hand in the factory?
How many of our merchants, now doing
the largest business, were but a short
hnnnorS''
ried all they had on their backs? How
many of our colored neighbors who but
a short time since were in bondage of
slavery and ignorance, to-day have good
homes, education and freedom? No, |
deny the assertion and refer to the key
note, "Intelligent Effort Prospers. :"
Young men growing up are apt at times
to be discouraged by hearing SO much
about the rich of our country mOnOpO-
lizing everything. We who are inter
ested in the welfare of the youth OF our
land should take great interest in teach
ing thatit is the intelligent man who is
prospecting. Intelligent in his profess
sion, not necessary to send a boy to q
law school if he is to spend his days on a
farm). There is no question but what
the intelligent are getting richer and the
ignorant getting poorer. The fact is
the day has come when ignorant labor
of any kind is drag on the market, and
there has never been time when intelli-
gent labor has been more in demand.
Young men on farms and every where
will find Il sharp demand for their labor if
they earnestly seek to become thorough
ly intelligent in whatever they under
take 1t is the intelligent man to-day
that we need on our farms, in our factO-
| ries, offices, stores and other places.
Excuse me for making IL political refer
ence, but every fourth year there com, 5
more or hess stagnation in business and
financial circles, which period is calcu-
lated to discourage the youth though
his store is filed with valuable advice.
Now, to him | would say he may expect
these fourth years throughout life,
but trust the 9TH of November next
will quench the fire OF luminosity and I'M
| neighborly feeling which was kindled
within the last few years and has OPP
Grated SO damagingly to the interest OF
farmers, spectators and merchants, in
having capital driven into its vaults
| until the confagration has passed over
our country SUBSCRIBER.