Gilpin observer., 1900-09-27
AN OPEN LETTER TO YOUNG MEN

the October number of "The Broadway
Magazine" published in New York City,
( The article is headed San Open Letter
to Young Men," Read it, as it comes
from the city where great trusts are
formed, and the author surely knows of
what he writes:
| To the Young Men of America.
"This is meant for you.
"Fifty or even twenty five years ago
any young fellow of fair ability, honesty
and energy had reasonable chance Of
becominga a somebody in the community.
He could be an employer and make him
self factor in the busy life of the
times.
at an era of small capita4 small
stores, but big ambition. 1t way the
time when men, even though obscure
and with little capital, could, by exercis-
ing frugality and taking advantage Of
opportunities or making them when oc-
casion demanded, be absolutely certain
of attaining position and a competence
if not actual wealth.
When Young Men Amounted to Some
thing.
''Those were the stirring times when
the might and intelligence of a united
people were working out the great
problem of amarvelous country S growth
We werejthen business nation formed
of countless individuals, each filling
niche and each adding his quota of brain
and brawn.t
"The average man, who, by energy and
economy had saved few dollars, was
able to start in business for himself
Young men always had this incentive.
They knew they had an equal chance
with their fellows, and it was this feel
ing OF security in the future that laid
the foundation OF this great country,
which, young, healthy and virile itself,
was eminently young mans country.
Every young man knew that it was
within the range of possibility for him
to become Gould or Vanderbilt.
Everything Within His Grasp.
"No avenue of business endeavor was
closed to him. The markets OF the
world, the realms of finance, the techni-
cal fields OF manufacturing and railroad
ing, and the allied forces OF civilization
we're open to those who would enter
them.
ITO sum it dp: the young man OF few
years ago was muster Of himself and his
destinies, and was guaranteed by the
very condition OF the country and the
trend OF the times, that absolute and
well-defined equality held out to all by
our Constitution.
What Do You Amount to Now?
"Where do you, the young man OF to-
day, find yourself? Stop and consider
if you are not in this exact position!
Even if, in your youth and thoughtless.
ness, you have not given much attention
to great social problems, you cannot
fail to have noticed a growing, insidious
and apparently irresistible force that has
changed the aspect OF the commercial,
financial and manufacturing business OF
the country. You have seen all the small
concerns that have been the back bone
OF American industry swallowed up in
whirlpool.
"And to-day you. must see that, as
things are now drifting, there is no hope
for you in the future. By no chance can
you ever cope with that great, hcartless,
strong, relentless factor that is grinding
out the stigma, the hope and the ambi-
80 10,
day. There is no use in your trying to
save money and start in business for
yourself. The business world is closed
TO you.
The Evil to Young Men.
"All this, OF course, has reference to
trusts, but please remember that the
trust is not great big glittering gem
erality. 1t is cold fact, borne out by
figures, and is as surely an element war
ring against the material and personal
welfare OF the young man and his family
as anarchy itself. Think OF it-l 100000
persons thrown out OF employment by
the formation OF new trusts during the
past four years, thereby adding to the
already colossal wealth OF the trusts
over billion dollars. But remember
also, that the remedy is in your own
hands and that you have in your power
sure, direct and deadly weapon in the
form OF vote.
Are you clerk in the employ of the
sugar trust? II 80, are you not per.
fectly aware that there is no reason