The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-09-08
PLOW BOY TIE LEADING MAN
1t Is From the Ranks of the Workers,
Who Achieve Something for Them.
selves, That Our Great Men Come.
Charity and Children.

Charity and Children
1t has been said before, but it is
pleasant to say again, that the pillow
boy is the leading figure in this
blessed government. Wealth and
luxury are well nigh fatal to the
youth who would aspire to a high
station in American politics. To be
born with q silver spoon in the mouth
is a calamity rather than a blessing
Unlike any othercountry in the world
the American people go to the fields,
and shops, and tanneries for their
Presidents. England is ruled by its
royalty-the United States by their
plow boys. In England, the aspiring
youth depends upon his descent, in
America upon his ascent. There the
family makes the man, here the man
makes the family.
This great and refreshing truth is
strikingly illustrated in the nominees
of the two great parties for President
and Vice-President. Mr.. Roosevelt
is the one exception to the usual rule
OF country boys being called to the
Presidential chair; but Mr.. Roosevelt
is a plain American without any frilIs
about him. Judge Parker was born
on farm near Cortland, New York,
where he learned the necessity oi hon
est labor. He ewas too poor to go to
college, his fathers necessities COM
pelling him to help the family with
his own earnings; 80 he began busi-
ness for himself with such advantages
as the village school and the Cortland
Academy could furnish.
Senator Fairbanks, the Republican
nominee for Vice President, was born
in log cabin on his fathers farm in
Union county, Ohio. Here he spent
his boyhood, learning the large les
sons that have fitted him for the
exalted station he has filled SO we'll.
He knew nothing of the social fool
cries that belong to dudes, but he
was an expert at pulling fodder and
rolling logs At college he cooked
his own meals and did odd jobs at
carpentering to increase his slender
financial resources. He walked right
past those who sneered at him and
his country called him into high SER
vice.
Henry G. Davis found himself in his
early teens IL bread-winner for a
widowed mother with five children
He hired himself to n neighbOrine
farmer near Woodstock, Md, where
he was born. His only schooling was
the meagre training OF a country
school. At nineteen years OF age he
obj aimed position as brakeman OIL
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad; from
brakeman he was promoted to con
ductor and five years of his life were
spent in railroad service. His talent
and energy brought him rapid pro
motion. He soon went into business
for himself and amassed colossa
fortune. He is not man OF larg'
culture, but he has great common
}. sense and tremendous EXECUTIVE
power.
Thus, with the exception OF MIR
Roosevelt, all the candidates for tn
highest places within the gift OF tn
American people, are men who II
their youth went baretooted ant
fought for bread in a hand-to-han'
struggle. 1t is an inspiration tt
American youth that these are tn
bows who win the highest honors G
|. the world.
1t is no credit to a man to be bOrl
great, but it is real honor to achiev
greatness and compel the admiration
and respect of mankind. The sickl
Young gentlemen who learn how t,
j. bow in a ball room and perform a
sorts of social antics are not in tn
!. same class at all with the fellows VIII
O are wrestling with oxen or handlin
the maui and wedge.