The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-09-24
What then is needed to reach this APP

What then is needed to reach this APP
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1t is only apparent let me say. 1t is
part of the inevitable development of civ
ilization, of this unprecedented growth
OF wealth which the world never saw
before, which has taken place in one gen
GRAFTON and which will never take place
again. This is the era in which that vast
| increase has been made possible by the
discovery and development of the forces
of nature, which cannot be renewed or
repeated. Things will come down to
their level and therefore the question
presented to these suddenly enriched peO-
pie is the question of education, eduCa-
ton for themselves education for the
wage Garner and helping hand for those
who cannot help themselves.
But the work of aiming at sound prin-
ciples of distribution must necessarily be
more slow than the work of the aggrega-
ton OF wealth. The competitive struct-
ure of man, the difference in endowment
OF brain and muscle, compels the pursuit
OF wealth as part of his nature inherent
IN his composition. The right to property
is only the result of the freedom of action,
that is, the right to acquire property is
the enemy of society.
do not care in what form it is dis
cussed. Men may persuade themselves
Wy q ouA I VI SOpIllSbIy Jldu iu6N nave
right to restrain their neighbOr in the
exercise of his faculties and in the right
to gain an honest livelihood, but such
conclusion is against human nature. |
know that | am created free and no man
has right to restrain my freedom of ac-
ton. Only society as whole is vested
with this power. So while men must
combine together, must have trusts and
associations and trades unions and ira de
l,
gress toward a plan of civilization. Yet,
when they are abused SOFAS to take away
from any man the natural tight to do
with his own as he will believe me, hui
man nature may be trusted to assert its
inherent right and it does assert itself
whenever the issue is fairly made
Now do not think the men who have
the great fortunes in New York are doing
their full duty to the community. | say
1t frankly, but there are many noble ex-
ceptiOns. / know of one man in this city
a rich man, mean by a rich man worth
$40 100000. This man inherited this sum.
He did not make it. No man ever made
500, 00O,0 600 He deliberately said, 81 have
got enough" Every dollar of his income
beyond that which is required for very
modest support of his family is appropri-
ated to public and private charities. That
man, Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt, has
proper conception of his duty.
! do not wish to preach what may be
called 1.-THE gospel of wealth, - but know
that when those who had worked had
educated themselves up to a comprehen-
sion of the fundamental principles
upon which society rests then know that
the rich man will be educated pari passu
and will recognize the fact as to this ex-
cess of income over any ordinary require
ments for comfortable or even lux
urious life they are trustees responsible
in this world to public opinion and IN the
next world to God for the way in which
the trust has been executed.
What then is the remedy for the evils
which demagogues handle with such Gd-
vantage to themselves and so much dan
ger to the community! They are playing
with fire, The remedy is education first
and thrift next and last of all association
together for the discovery of correct prin-
ciples, for the discussion of grievances.
for the representation of wrongs to those
in authority, for securing in the public
halls of legislation men who are fit to rep
resent an educated community and not as
they are often now representing the worst
element of the community.
On education, thrift and association |
base all my hopes for the continued pro-
gress of society, and believe that under
this potent influence the evil incident to
the rapid accumulation of wealth in the
hands ofmen who do not appreciate their
opportunities and duties win disappear.
ADRIAN S. HEWITT.