The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-01-22
THE "CONNION PEOPLE"
Praised by Damagogues, Who Never
Yet Helped Fill the Pay Envelope

All the loud-mouthed demagogues
are for the common people, At
least this is what they tell us at every
opportunity. The demagogues are
uncommon" The people are COM
mon."
We have no common people class
in the United States. There are COM
mon people in Russia under des-
potic car. There are common people
in Germany under an emperor with
imperial sway. There are common
people even in England with a limit
ed monarchy.
In all these and every foreign
country class distinctions prevail. No
man can aspire to the throne unless
he be of royal descent; no man has
social recognition without a royal
trademark. 1t is different in this
country. We live in a republic where
rail splitter like Lincoln, canal
driver and school teacher like Car
field, and a humble law clerk like
Cleveland may aspire to and obtain
the presidency, the highest Office in
the gift of the people.
The president of the United States
wields power rivaled only by that
which the ruler of the greatest ma
tions exercise. 1t is doubtful if some
of the latter have as much 'wer and
exercise as worldwide influence as
our president. He is the leader Of
100000 people, and the ruler OF
the most magnificent territory in the
world.
In this country the door of oppor-
tunity is closed to no man. There is
no king and no royal line of descent.
We have no hereditary titles and no
social circles to which the humblest
may not aspire. We place no limita-
ticns on what man or woman may
accomplish. 1t is for him or her to
fix the limitations of human aspira-
ton.
In this favored land character. in
| tegrity, and industry are the creden-
| tials Of success Even with these the
triumph may not be easy, but moth
ing is easy that is worth while. All
over this land will be found men Of
wealth, of high standing, and wide
influence who began life as toilers on
the farm, in the workshop, or the
factory. They saw the light of day
in humble homes. They rose from
obscurity not because they inherited
titles, rank, or riches. Self-made they
seized their opportunities and made
the most of them.
They are as much part of the
common people now as when they be-
gan. They sat at school with their
associates-the same school that is
training the boys and girls of to-day
to fill the places of leaders who are
passing away. There are no class dis
tinctions here. We are all of the
common people. There may be diff
ferences in life's station, but not in
life's rank.
We cannot alf live on the same
level. We cannot all have the same
tastes. desires and ambitions. Ma
lures variations are found every
wherein forest, in flower, in field
and stream 1t abhors sameness as
it abhors a vacuum. 1t gives to one
man greater talent than to another.
but it is Providence that confers
these gifts. 1t is the Creator that
gives man his individuality from
the time that he is placed in the
cradle until the time he is laid IN
the grave.
No artificial hand bestows it's
favor by birth or royal prerogative to
give one of us. an advantage over
another. So, let there be no more
senseless prating about the common
people, We have no other. We
are all of the common classroom
moners together rejoicing in the op-
portunity it gives us to make the
most of the distinction it confers.
Let demagogues prate about the
common people, but let none of US
| forget that in this great republic
every citizen is an Independent SOW
ereign. Let the soyereigns rule!
And do not forget that a demagogue
never filled a pay envelope!-Les-
| lies Weekly.
CLICDnEC