The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-04-21
A Contrast.

Observing people are cognizant of the |
fact that the higher practical talent of
this nation is attracted to industrial en-
terprises, or projects directly related to
the development and Improvement of
the country The brains required to
grasp and direct the great railroad and
telegraph interests of the United States,
ments. duplicating the welfare OF every
community, and associated, either direct
ly or Indirectly with every interest,
measure the full! capacity Of the human
intellect. 1t is because of this that our
Legislative halls, State and National.
present such a ineagre quantity OF the
higher intellectual force of the nation
1t is generally, second, or third rate tai
emit, that will consent to ignore the
larger and more useful field of endeavor,
and plan an scheme to control the eau
Gus as the first essential step TO political
preferment. The methods and ways and
influences which have to be consulted
to this end. are necessarily contracted,
sordii and selfish There is nothing in
them to broaden the mind, inspire
worthy ambition or stimulate to great
achievements. They are groveling in the +
nature, denoralizing in their association
and unsatisfying in their results. Where
partizan success has been attained thro'
the means ordinarily associated with
partizan strifes, there follows no con-
Ir,fx TO
munity-no salutary purpose inspired
for the good of the State or the people.
1t is triumph i'll the rivalry of pigmies.
1t emphasizes the rule and force of the
swarsh buckler and the demagogue, and
carries with it no impressive moral influ-
ence and accenUuates no material move
ment or enterprise, contributing to the
every day welfare of the masses.
Yet it is this very class of smaIl>caliber
people, who seek to prejudice the public
mind against the men Of note and char
acter who have achieved success and
wealth in other fields, and employed
their talents and means to develop the
material resources of the country, give
employment to labor. and enrich the ma
ton. 1t is a popular resort with these
to denounce men who have accumulated
large wealth, at the same time that they
have benefited the people and advanced
the interests of the State in their opera
tions. Jay Gould is held up to public
reprobatiOn because of his millions, ig-
noring the fact that with his millions he
g.,
ment to millions Of his fellow creatures,
The Vanderbits are denounced because.
by business sagacity and untiring labor,
they have at their command imperial
wealth, while it is never mentioned that
their means are distributed all over the
country in the work of developing the
dead wealth of the Nation, charging IFS
commerce, and extending the influences
which are shaping the destiny of the
Nation. Carnegie is the subject of un-
friendly and hostile criticism, by politi-
cal lilIiputians. for the reason, that
working his way up from ii day laboreI
to commanding position in the busi
ness of the country, he has amassed a
fortune, yet while doing so has given
employment to thousands of skilled
workmen, stimulated invention kept in
motion vast plants of machinery and
contributed to American supremacy in
the domain of mechanics and the arts
and sciences. The rich men of the coun
try, with very few exceptions, have come
up from the paths OF obscurity and poy-
lnct 70 in, thAi.
= achievements what may be accomplish
ed, under our free institutions, by probi
ty, application and sobriety for individ
lal, as well as national benefit. They
aave not dived into the slums and cess
pools of society for aid in their work. nol
have they advanced their fortunes by
slandering their neighbor, and defamine
all who do not recognize their authority
Their lives present a broad contrast tC
the ways and means of the politician
who calculates on success in the degree
that he can blacken the character of his
competitor, and poison the minds OF the
masses against Il fellow>man.
The code of morals which is observed
by the classes to which we have referred
is as diverse and distinct as night is from
day. The politician seeks the associa-
tion of the baser set, when it is necessary
for his purpose. He will consort with
plugs and thieves, and with moral and
physical putresence, when his ends may
be subserved by it. Men who pass for
gentlemen in social and business life,
will place themselves on al equality
with the gutter snipe and whiskey-bum,
when political emergencies arise, and
prostitute his manhood and his better
nature by getting down to the level of
the pestiferous heller and bribe taker, if
it becomes necessary as means to sue
cess. Yet this very class of men will
rail against the ''plutocrats; will de-
nounce accumulated wealth, although it
is the sign and demonstration of nation
al progress and deveIopment--of unnum-
bered blessings disseminated through>
out the ranks of labor and the avenues
of trade-will invoke the unframed pas
sions of the rahble against capital as
their worst enemy. and spread the seeds
of anarchy and assassination, in order
to encompass a partizan object.
1t is time that the people were being
impressed with the fact that wealth, ac
cumulated by Industry, application and
sagacity, and dedicated to public uses,
is no crime. 1t merely marks the intel
lectual progress of the peoples "a slim
ulant to the poor boy well the rich,
and points out the possibilities which
lie before every one. Those who have
achieved wealth, have at least observed
the decencies of social life, and have
conformed their outward conduct to the
proprieties of respectable association
AS much cannot be said of the political
demagogue, who seeks preferlnent thro'
perverted public sentiment, and con
sents to association with the vulgar and
and debased, as q means to partizan sue
cess. -
A hut has been discovered in New
York where dynamite bombs have been