Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-04-25
THURSDAY, APRIL %, 1901.
WEALTH AND PHlLAN1 AROPY.

been an impression upon tlle MINUS VI '"0
masses of the people that vast individual
wealth could not be accumulated honestly
in the lifetime of one man. There has
been another conviction equally as preva-
lent-that great accumulation OF wealth
by few men was injurious to the public
welfare. 1t must be conceded that the
purposes for which men struggled to gather
wealth in past centuries justified the poor,
and even the wel.todo people, in think
ing that very rich men were an injury to
society; and for one to be rich, as rule,
meant to be mean. 1t has not been many
years since the struggle to obtain riches
was chiefly promoted by sensual or sordld
desires. Men were seen seeking riches
that they might crafty their sensual APP
petites, or gloat with meanly avaricious
pride over the piles of filthy lucre they
were gathering. 1t was these men, no
doubt. who provoked the Saviour of the
world to say that it was "easier for camel
to 20 through the eye offs needle than for
rich man to enter the kingdom OF heav'
en-" 1t was was not great personal wealth
that was a sin, but it was the manner in
which the wealth was used.
In recent years there have been great
changes in the motives of men, especially
in this country, for the accumulation OF
wealth. and a wonderful revolution in the
manner of using it. Wealthy individuals
invest their money in great enterprises
that give employment to skilled and un'
skilled labor. in that way bestOwing
benefaction to those who do not possess
the talent or have left unimproved the OPP
portuuity for making much money.
Wealth and philanthropy have also be-
come intimately connected; and vast sums
are being given by individuals for educa'
tional and charitable purposes. The very
rich man in the United States who is not
benevolent has become the exception and
is no longer the rule.
This spirit of philanthropy among mill
ionaires began with Girard, Cooper and
Peabody, and has been growing in force
until one of our greatest millionaires re-
Gently declared that very rich man could
not die properly. Imbued with this belief
Andrew Carnegie has been distributing his
wealth while still living, and announces
his purpose TO die poor man. lie has
already given for educational and charit-
able purposes over ten million Of dollars,
and continues to hunt for proper places
and objects for the bestowal of his vast
wealth. In the past twenty-five years
other wealthy American citizens have
been actuated by a similar philanthropic
spirit. We may mention among those
who are dead, Vanderbilt, Stanford, Til
den and numbers Of others, while there
are many living besides Mr. Carnegie who
are literally disposing of their money for
the betterment of The human race. We
rarely read daily newspaper that does
not give notice of some gift by a person
who is still living, or has just died, to
charity.
The widespread philanthropy among
the rich men of the United States is caus.
ing great change IN sentiment toward
the very wealthy. Large private fortunes,
accumulated by intelligent, honest means
in trade, are no longer regarded as men,
ance to the public welfare, but as bless
ing to humanity, when the possessers of
such fortunes recognize themselves as
trustees of the wealth they control for the
benefit of their fellowmen. Of course
there are many who still toll for riches
that they may be placed in a position to
more fully crafty their sensual apetites, or
that they may with the sOrdid JOY of a
miser boast of their broad acres, stocks
and bonds, which they will leave behind
them when they die and with them a
record that Will De held in execration.
1t is gratifying, however, to note that
average American citizen of wealth is be-
coming educated up to the idea that
wealth and philanthropy should be init
mately associated. This idea will continue
to grow unit! private benefactOrs will
place human suffering and ignorance at a
minimum, and do much for the establish
ment of the brotherhood of mankind.
THE gubernatorial fight between Mon
tague and Swanson gets hotter and hotter.
The friends Of these gentlemen seem TO
think that the future happiness Of Virginia
is dependent upon electing one or the other