The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-10-27
ABOUT SELF MADE MEN--MR. CLEVELAND
AN OBJECT LESSON.

criticism OF an eullollaI appleSA"'i'S
and somewhat complimentary of man
who had been raised from obscurity to
a high position, said
at pains me to see such men COM
mended in the public prints. 1t dam
ages the youth of the country. II
Mr.. " had raised himself by
honorable labor or diligent study,
his career would have been a whole
some stimulus to the youth. AS L I'M
derstand it, he has not appealed to
the noblest in men at any time, but
has sought to inhame their ignorant
prejudice. Is it noble to do that!
Does the fact that Mr.. Y was
self made give him liberty to thus de-
base those who follow him Is he not
as bad as if he had been reared in the
lap Of luxury?
"More than that: if there is any
reliance to be put in common report
Mr.. " has always shown himself
to be man who did the bidding OF
the corporations, and owes his eleva-
ton to his subserviency to their po-
litical schemes. 1t seems to me that
he is to be held up as an example OF
warning to young men. Coming from
high duty to be true to their interests
rather than elevate himself by betray-
ing them. If he fails to do this, he is
not worthy Of commentator, and the
fact that he sprung from humble
origin makes his unworthiness all
the more conspicuous"
This extract is recalled by the recent
speech made by Mr.. Cleveland on the
Of Charter Day at Princeton
University. Himself self made man,
this sentence on what is popularity known
as the "self made man." is to the point:
"a romantic and sentimental gla-
mour has enveloped him, magnifying
his proportions and causing him to
appear much larger and in every way
greater than other men; and the
notion seems to be current that his
size and greatness are the direct
results of the frowns of fortune
which deprived him Of educational
advantages and doomed him to travel
to success by a road rugged with OBJ
stacles and difficulties"
1t is no doubt true that after he has
climbed to the heights "where Fames
proud temple shines affair."" "a romantic
and sentimental glamour" sometimes en-
velops the man from humble life, but
up to that point he has had struggles of
which the more fortunate man knows
little. The history of the world shows
that nearly all reforms have come
through men who in their youth knew
what poverty was, though some of those
who have given ample proof of devotion
to liberty and equality belonged to the
wealthy classes. Thomas Jefferson was
a large planter and slave owner, edu-
Gated in the best schools, the most ac-
scholar known to our public
annals. AT the same time he was the
purest patriot the world has produced,
and did more for what the aristocracy
of his time called ''levelling" another
word for giving justice to all men, than
all his associates and disciples COM
bined.
The glamour" that envelops the self
made man is not usually romantic and
sentimental" 1t is based on a belief
that he knows better what the masses
want and what they need; a faith that
be will spend himself to promote their ell
ovation; and a trust that he will be so
true to high ideals that his success will
be wholesome stimulus to the youth of
he country. The success Of a man with
he best opportunities and advantages
cannot give the same incentive to the
majority of young men as the success Of
me who sprung from the ranks. They
IAN hope only to follow the man Of
tumble origin, and that is why there is
glamour" about him that Mr.. Cleve-
and calls romantic and sentimental"
That element is present, to be sure, but
me interest is because the success of
he self-made man is a beacon of hope
% thousands Of struggling and ambi-
ious young men and boys.
Mr.. Cleveland has removed himself 80
Tar from sympathy with his early sur
and influences that he fails
to appreciate the fact that at one time
his elevation was a light that guided the
footsteps Of aspiring youth. He illus
trates the self-made man who, after be-
coming powerful, forgets the pit from
he was digged, and repudiates
the teachings that gave him leadership.
The man who struggled in poverty and
to gain honors shows that he
craved position, and not an opportunity
for usefulness, if he fails to use his OPP
portunities for crushing those powerful
agencies that prey upon the humber
members of society. There have been
men in all times who have thus proven