New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1905-12-30
OPPORTUNITY AND THE MAN,
Among the farmers boys recent


Among the farmers boys recent
ly scrambling around Christmas
trees for presents or crying because
be did not find what he wanted in
his stocking, were several future
presidents Of the United States.
There were also many destined to
be governors, senators, captains Of
industry, great millionaires, en-
gineers, architects and other NOV
ers of the world. 1t would be safe
to say that nine out Of ten of these
boys are going to start life without
any special advantages. The best
equipment they can have is a good
training up to twenty years of age
on the farm, education IN the COM
mon schools and habits of industry,
honesty and sobriety. 1t is really
a misfortune to be born the son of
very rich parents. Few such ever
achieve much in life and those that
do, acquire their fame in spite of
and not on account of their inherit
ed riches. Most sons Of rich men
go to the dogs from idleness or
dissipation or pass through life as
cGlorless drones. As we have said,
so me of our readers bumped up
against the future president during
the Christmas holidays. They
didn't know him, but he was there
"a strong healthy, open-faced, in
dustrious bow, who doesn't lose his
temper when called out of bed at
four o'clock these cold winter
mornings to feed the stock. Meth
err does he "sass" his mother, play
"hookey," from school or spend
his time around saloons or corner
groceries.
We are told, and often by those
high up in public notice, who
should know better, that there is
no chance for young men these
days. A few have got all the money
and power and the rest of us are
condemned to the newer of wood
aud drawers Of water, like the
Gibeonites of old. We hear this
"rot" from the crank leaders of
crank parties, from pessimestic
editors, and dyspeptic students of
sociology. Never was there more
transparent falsehood nor one so
easily refuted by all we see around
US. One has only to take glance
at the industrial or political world
to see that these Jermiahs don't
know what they are talking about.
Twelve years ago young man in
the east was glad to make his living
at the ordinary wages of type
writer. He did his work so we'll
that certain big man appointed
him his private secretary. Anoth-
er big man noticing this gave him
a similar position after his former
employer died. This poor young
imam was the national chairman of
IA great political party, during the
recent election and will be post
master general in the cabinet for
the next four years. The chairman
of the other great party has had a
somewhat similar career. About
twenty years ago, poor Irish lad,
he was glad to sell pies for living
until he could do better. He had
neither money nor friends, but
soon many Of the latter by his ur-
banity aud kindness to others. He
repeated elections to i'm
portant Offices and eventually a
place of highest influence in his
party, besides being successful in
business.
The present governor of Missouri
came to st. Louis eight to ten years
ago as poor and friendless young
man. Sixteen years ago, the next
governor of Indiana was digging
bitches at a dollar and a half a
day. The two men who were
elected senators from Indiana this
were few years ago among
the poorest of the poor, without
money or influential backing.
Three young men, only thirty years
old or Whereabouts and with but
little property, were elected to
Congress in Illinois last fall. III
we had the space, we could men,
ton thousands of others, now in
high positions in the railroad,
manufacturing, farming, stock |
raising and other lines, all of whom
started poor from twenty to thirty |
years ago. Still they tell us there
S no chance for the poor young
man. We don't believe 1.-THE