The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1894-06-29
No Classes Here.

One hears great deal said nowadays
about the rich and the poor as distinct
classes. The supposed division is the evil
which communism proposes to remedy by
making all men equal. And we have
grown accustomed to hearing that condi-
lion spoken Of rs permanently Fixed under
the present order, with the inference that
10 be born poor is to be born into lifelong
servitnde to the rich. Nov, all this is
simply nonsense.
There is no abiding class In America
and wealth. like culture. is very apt to fail
OF transmission from one generation to an
other. The wheel goes up and the whee
goes down, and the waek and shallow find
their level, as truly as the energetic and
strong climb hignts that know no summit.
The lists are open 10 all, and while many
worthy ones fail. worth alone wins success.
Every day the lie is given to that effete
theory by hundreds coming into aflluence
from all the grades of life. Success comes
to hands that are stained with the sweat Of
toll. or crowns the head that is filled with
busy brains; IL Is matter not of birth
nor environment, but of worth and attain
ment, and all life shows it.
| The history Of all ages shows that rota-
iion in wealth is the law of nature. 1t
is proverbial that 90 or 95 per cent of cap
italists fail in business, and that the fami :
lies that have retained large properties
through several generations are extremely
/ rare. New men are constantly passing 10
the front, men who work their way, men
fitted to ever arising emergencies by self
aqnired power 10 grasp and control condi-
iions. OF the thirty manufacturers OF
Worcester. Mass, in 1910 twenty eight be-
gan as iourneyman; Of the I76 in 1878. 16l
began in The same way; and though sta
tistics of this nature are not usually attain.
able. observation on every hand shows
that The proportion Is general. The men
that are capitaiists today were working
men twenty Eve years ago. and the capital
lists Of the future viii come from the work.
ingmen of today. Il is impossible to i'm
/ agine more disadsan,agcous condition Of
poverty and oppression than that from
which Rothchilds patiently pushed his wa,
. TO control Of the finances Of continent
, A boy and his boat was The foundation O
; the Vanderbilt fortune. Z small lant
| press, case Of old ype and board acros
D two barrels made TIE humble beginning
in cellar, Of one OF the greatest news
E papers Of the world. The elder As,o
entered the sur trade with capital of 81
d aqaired from the sale Of fiates; Jay Goul,
/ began business by Pei9ling maps; Cyru
: W Field found ahumbie origin no bar +
: The eonsummatiOn Of bis mighty rurros
J, that 10, only brought him immense wealtl
J ba' 10 the question of Job: Cans. t:sol
5 send ligh'nings that lhaY may so and 81,
d unto thee: Here We are.' sent th
; answer. res, aroasd the ssorid As quic
s a thoasb,.
. To multiply instances Of this sort woal,
a be psierile. because xe see in greaieF or les
4 degree the ssuse sxed parpos. and eaEnes
Z effort rewarded with success ever day a
{ abou, Us Men with whom We arc il
| daiIs eoa;aei are 'rium9hing regzrblcs
r OF outward condition ever difficulties tha
e b others seem insarno1ntable. Eq1a'it'
1 OF opportunity Is the grea, principle Of 10
e day. and tie u.an Of right character an
4 singieness Of Purpase may wrest suoses
I from tie very teeth Of adverse fate. A.
= rule the servants Of one generation
Strengthened hy toll. breei the masters o
r the neI'. and the children Of the masters
I pamperei in ialeaezs. must in turn sink i
$ service. Tnai is Law Of nature. SO
= preme statute which statesman need ao
/. enforce AMI canaOt repeal.-cievelanr
( Plaindeaier.