The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1894-04-28
CAUSE AND EFFECT.

CAUSE AND EFFECT.
From reading articles in Populist
organs it would seem that this was the
only time in the worlds history In
which the few have acquired wealth
and the many remained poor, and that
the United States was the only country
in which colossal fortunes have been
accumulated from insignificant begin
nlngs. Furthermore, that these IN
equalities have been the natural re
suit of an iniquitous national policy
pursued by Republican administra-
tions for the past thirty years.; and If
this were changed mellenium would
dawn upon the earth, differences in
conditions would disappear, the lion
would lie down with the lamb and op-
pressions by capitalists and monopo-
lists would cease. This golden utopian
dream is painted in glowing colors to
the over-burdened son of toll, and it
acts like the song of the siren to stu
pefy his faculties and mislead his
Judgment. But careful consideration
will, In every instance, 6ispel the illu-
sion.
The world in the nineteenth century
has nearly the same diversity OF con-
ditions in life that there were in the
sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth.
There were princely rich men in all
ages of the world, and also very poor
persons. Business sagaeity and thrift
have always been rewarded, while in.
dolence and extrayagance have caused
poverty and suffering. This has been
true in all epochs Of history, and, rea-
soning from analogy, wall continue
through all time. There are million
aires, who, If by any unforeseen cir
cumstances, were reduced 20 'pov erty
today, would again be wealthy in
short time; and, there are poor men
who if made wealthy tomorrow, would
.gravitate to their former condition In
a little while. The accumulation of
riches Is the result Of certain kind of
mental genius, and without its proper
exercise, no one will succeed in be-
coming wealthy. Conditions may be
helpful, but these alore do not create
millionaires. There must be some
thing inherent in the individual to
warrant success in this line the same
as in any Of the learned profession. 1t
may be true that the United States
have presented many opportunities for
fortunes to be acquired in the last
quarter of century, because of the
wonderful development of the re-
sources; but the men who pro6ted by
these advantages had the sagacity to
understand the situation and use it to |
their personal aggrandisement. Since
the close of the civil war, there has been
surprising recuperation,a and under So ch
the sagacious rise to the
surface. This has been true in all |
countries where there have been grea
growth after heavy disasters, and the /
history of the United States Is no ex-
ception. If the country had not re-
covered from the effects of the civi
war there would have been few mil
lionaires in the country, and while the
immense fortunes that have been ac-
since the var are due to
the policy pursued by Republican
the revival of trade, the estab
lishment of industries and the liqu,da-
ton of the national debt are the re-
suits of the careful management of
affairs by the same party.
The prosperity of the nation made the
of wealth possible.
Whether it were better Tor the
to have recovered from the
reverses suffered from 1861 to 1865,
and thus have given intelligent men
to better their condition
financially, or to have remained in the
condition in which it was at
;he. close of the war, We will leave for
he decision of those who are dissatis-
led with present condIt ions 1t is
veil to understand, however, that this
country is not different from others,
Ind that the close of the nineteenth
century has not violated any law of
,ause and effect; also that while di-
'erse policy than the one pursued
night have decreased the amount of
wealth in the few it would have in
'reased the poverty of the many.