The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-11

nave ieaSt OF this quality ole. IL Is evil
Dent that the present population OF
America could not live without better
means of obtaining subsistence than the
red indians had, or have been able to ac-
qulre. The time will come when existing
populations will not be able to subsist
without better means than we now have.
The present generation has the means to
produce com Portable subsistence for all. l
do not know that this is or can be scien-
tlflcally settled, but l think no one dis
putes it and l shall assume it. This SUBJ
slstence, however, is very unequally dis
trlbuted. Looking into this further we see
that In the long run those who know most
nave most; those who know most about
matters which directly concern their own
income have most money, accommodating
surplus which they cannot use; those who
know most about things which affect the
incomes of mankind generally have most
honor, usually in addition assuring them
selves of comfortable subsistence. Knowl-
eoge, which affects nobody's income is
worthless and is not sought.
1t is best to make clear this money value
OF knowledge OF course l know that all l
can say is admitted in advance, and yet
those who admit it may not after all know
1t, because real knowledge inevitably in
huences action. We do not touch a red
hot stove because we know it will burn
us. If in that sense we know the danger
OF ignorance, which is just as real, we
would strive for knowledge at any cost.
The only real knowledge is that which we
hapltually and unconsciously act upon.
ANY so-called knowledge which comes
short OF that is mere vague impression,
unavailable for practical use. Now, al
though 1t cannot be actually demonstrated,
L am sure that the incomes OF those en-
gagged IN any business vary almost in
direct ratio with the number of essential
facts pertaining to that business which
they know accurately and certainly. Of
course it is true that individuals greatly
vary In capacity and vigor, but then it is
the smart and strong who know. All that
the weaker and less capable can do to
maintain equality is to study more hours
to toll more nights and days. 1t is
knowledge that brings the income.
salaries paid in some walks of
life, but they are nearly always the
price paid for knowledge, or sup
posed knowledge, at market rates.
The farmer who prefers the life of a
banker has merely to know better than
any one else what property is safest to
lend money on and to make his ability
hhO"u. SOlue Dduh Will sOOIi WdilJ ILL.,
Farmers are large borrowers, and as they
are apt to seek and obtain loans which
they have not the knowledge to use wisely,
the bank president must be better Judge
of the possible profits of farming than the
farmer himself, lest the banks funds be
invested where they cannot be got back
when wanted. This means high salary
for the bank officer, which goes to reduce
the profit of the farmer, for ignorance must
M re hills IL ia nnnld Rnnu
enough about their own business to make
loans to them certain to be so wisely used
as to pay interest promptly and the prin-
cipal at maturity, cheaper salaried man
could lend them money and the farmers
profits be so much increased.
have said that the most capable know
most and consequently get most. For
tunately 1T is not necessary for US all to
know as much as the most capable.
Nature requires that we know enough to
get a living and kills US if we do not; but
she does not concern herself with great
accumulations. If we are strong enough
and know enough to make such accumu-
lationS she does not mind it, and if neceS-
sary will kill off such weaker ones as may
stand in our way; but if we attempt to
accumulate beyond our strength she will
kill as for that, too. All she requires is
tlldJ NC Dt WdIIQtu anu well anu
our minds kept free from worry, but for
the lack of those, whether with or without
our own fault, no excuse will be taken.
Since evolution teaches that the penalty
OF ignorance is death, 1t is well to under
stand just what the evoiutionist means by
death; we may be dying and not know it.
Evidently the evolutionist does not mean
that the ignorant shall fall down in their
tracks and give up the ghost, or even that
within short time we shall all disappear
and leave no sign. He means simply this,
that by reason Of our ignorance we shall
be unfortunate; being unfortunate we shall
be worried; being worried we shall not be
we'll nourished; not being well nourished
we shall die before our time, leaving half
nourished and nervous descendants to live
still shorter lives, until our names finally
means to the evolutionist, and it is the
process which the ignorant are now going
through.
We are these atoms in a struggling mass
of humanity of whom it is certain that the
weakest must die, but amid which it is the
highest duty of each one OF US to make
sure that he shall live. If we can also aid
others to live we shall do we'll, but nature
does not demand it of US, nor can we do so
until we have first satisfied our own debt
to the awful force which controls us; but
by as much as we maintain or increase
our own vigor by so much we add to the
aggregate vigor of our race. 1t is there
fore not only essential but morally right
that up to certain point we look out for
ourselves; and we are compelled not only
to live, but to live up to a certain standard
of comfort which is customary among
those with whom we mingle. The China
man lives in happiness and holds his own
among the races amid environments which
would be death to the American farmer.
l have now to disentangle from this
multitude the farming class, and
the American farmer, in order to
note his condition as compared with others
OF his race, and see whether or not he is
holding his own, and If not, whether of his
own yolition he can strengthen himself,
recover any ground he may have lost and
maintain his position among those who
shall live; and as l am now considering
mankind solely with reference to the
relative power of survival | am compelled
to make the rather heartless division into
owners and non-owners of property,
meaning by the latter class those who in
the prime of life have not in their possess
sion the means of supporting themselves
without serious worry during their years Of
decline. For the acquisition of the means
OF ubslstence according to ones station in