The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-08
The Boss and the PIutocrnf-A study
i'm Arrested Development.

Forty-four years ago Mr.. Andrew
Freese. then principal Of the Cleveland
High School. began to keep scrap-b book
in which were preserved the most strik-
iug compositions" Of promising boys
under his charge. From this collection the
New York World" has extracted two
Of the earliest essays known to have been
written by John D. Rockefeller and Mar
Gus A. Hanna. These compositions" are
now held up for an admiring public TO
read, in the light Of the subsequent
careers Of their authors. Mr.. Hanna's
essay was on the subject Of England and
the United States" and Mr.. Rockefellers
on The Caracter Of st. Patrick"
Mr. Hanna's remarks breathed a patriot
ism which was unsulled. and a spirit of
democracy which was without flaw. They
prove without doubt that he was a
well -brought-up boy. familiar with the
phrases and sentiments Of the orthodox
Fourth Of July orator, and anxious to
emulate that gentleman in the fervor Of
eloquence Of his diction and the patriotic
enthusiasm Of his emotions. Considering
his years. it must be admitted that the
young Marcus succeeded fairly well in his
imitation. His essay follows;
ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES.
"NHau we compare the respective standing Of
these two great nations Oh the point Of Civilzd-
tI0n ID would be difficult 10 give preference TO
either without weighing carefully their prUgTls-
/ 90 the arts and s-iences It's true that England
llas b-eu for maus years the uuriyaled nation OF
The esrli bet The United si-fes has been like
soaring 6aglc gradually but rapidly mounting
Ola rnUlr upward tlgNr 10 fame, sud now that SHE
ta- reached an exalted position iu the ewes af
the Uorid she saz-s Wi-h indifference upon her
mighty rival
England -aa too plainly the advantages Of
free y. puhle afd tried 90 nip 10 ia the bud and
in that Ny prevent the rapid progress of her col
/ unies. but the American people had 100 clear
conception 81 the advantages OF q free govern
meut 10 be thus quietly held back from their
rights and. with Che immortal Washington at
their head. they gained thcir liberty. though not
without many a hlrlI0ught battle. TIE
United states though tHeir manufactures. when
compared with those OF The mother country. Is
yet in their infancy, can furnish goods equal If
not superior t0 those of England
Elm England the land is held hy wealthy Lords
and mobiles who spend their time and money 20
crafty their own selfish desires while hundreds
Of the poorer classes are Struggling hard TO gain
a living and enduring al the pnvaiiOns that pow
er1y can infici. Not - in the land Of liberty.
Here every man is free and an enjoy equal rights
and privileges and every honest and industrious
man can gain a comfortable livelihood.
''Nhv Is o. that So MANY " the subjects o..
England. and. indeed nearly every country, are
focking 10 the American shoresg II Is because
they are forced % seek shelter from the iron
grasp Of drsp1tism and continual life Of bondage
and suffering. and knowing that America is an
ASYLUM for the oppressed, they hasten % place
themselves under its protecting care. Well may
the proud Peers OF England scratch their heads
and look grave as they behold the upward flight
Of The proud eagle OF America which, not con-
tsrt with the common spirit Of the nation, is
seeking wider field o. glory.
And she nov looks down from her pinnacle
Of fame with the utmost contempt upon the de-
graded situation Of Despotism and tyranny
To the benighted Englishman who may
chance 20 peruse this essay. and in the
next newspaper column find an account Of
the numerous strikes now taking place in
this asylum for the oppressed, there may
seem to be a certain discrepancy between
Nj Hauna's early teaching and his subsc-
queut business methods: between his dec
laratlon that the United States, though
their manufactures is yet in their infan-
cy. can furnish goods equal II not superior
TO those OF England" and his present ad-
hesiyeness to principles which prohibit
free competition between the two nations.
such contradictions between the moral
training Of the embryo citizen and the po-
Htical methods Of the adult boss are indeed
calculated to make the proud Peers Of
England scratch their heads"
Not less instructive is Mr.. Rockefeller's
composition" II IS not quite certain that
the present oil king was inspired by the
career OF St Patrick to devote a small
part OF his millions to the education Of
needy young men for the Baptist ministry,
but the idea is not beyond the limits OF
possibility. Here Is his essay;
THE CHARACTER or ST PATRICK.
The first account that history gives of St.
Patrick is about the year four hundred and fifty
1t is supposed BY historians that he native
Of Fance.
In his youth he was carried TO Ireland and
afterxard made slave. Here he was occupied for
several years in keeping sheep, but he at length
made his escape and sPpiiea himself very dill