Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1921-02-04
HONOR THROUGH WORK.
New York Times.)

!" <iHcIcan opinion, as expressed
by Robert w. dc Forest in today's
Times. He was discussing young Mr..
Rockcfeller's recently expressed re-
gr'ct that his Inheritance dcprive,{
him of his fathers opportunity to
make his way in the world on his
own initiative. 1t would be interest
ing to know the elder Rockcfellcr's
estimate Of the relative worth to
him of his billion and of his suits
faction in having had the opportu-
nifty to work under stimulus neces-
sity, the lack of which his son re-
grets. The money which millionaircs
or billionares can spend ON them
selves in satisfaction of material
wants does not expand with the
ability to spend. Any amount can
be spent on IL picture, or a statute,
or books. Or Stones" as dealers say,
but the satisfaction received does
not grow with the aN:cunt paid nor
with the ni,:.Dcr or a.z, of the pos
sessions. The parting with the money
gives no pleasure because it causes
no sacrifice, and the requirement OF
the coveted possession ends the
pleasure of seeking it. 1t is safe to
say that the elder Rockefeller values
his sort of son more than his billion.
The esteem of fcllow-men is what
makes life worth living, the priceless
thing which money cannot command,
and which is not always given when
deserved. The Rockefeller billion was
earned by cheapening and selling
good oil. The same amount of money
taken by extortion for dear or poor
oil would have earned dislike. The
fortune is measured by the service.
The fruition of effort against early
handicaps gives the personal salts
faction of winning Worthwhile
struggle which outweighs the pos
session of many houses and acres
and dollars uncountcd in any prac-
tical sense. The younger Rockefeller
can never have that pleasure. The
multitude will never believe that he
has had struggles greater than his
fathers. They were stimulus But
wealth is demorizing, enticing, a Sc
dative against effort. Why struggle
for what is possessed against the
possibility of want.
Men want to he valued for them
selves alone; that is, for their indi-
vidual accomplishments, not for
what fortune gives them. THAT is
what inspires work by the men cited
rs examples by Mr.. De Forcst-Hill,
Roosevelt, Root-a catalogue any one
can extend. Mr.. De Forest searches
in vain for the secret of their sue
cess under difficult conditions. Ed
ucation does not explain it, and there
are cases in which it seems that cd
ucation shares the handicap of
wealth upon talent. Universities have
been known to smother the search
for culture, which also has been
known to thrive outside all schools.
great as the mystery ov vitality
How many have known of marvellous
driving force in ffail bodies? Who
fails to appraise highly the smaller
accomplishments of weaker capaci-
tics z? Those who have struggled and
dono little. but who are allowed to
know that they are valued by fell
low-men for their struggle rather
than for their accomplishment, com
mand earth's highest reward. There
is praise for the community as we'll
rs for self-made men in Mr.. De Ror-
est's saying that it is respectable to
work in America. That is the sort of
humans Americans are. No man can
qualify for the class of men named
by Mr.. De Forest who is satisfied to
receive what he does not both earn
and work fora distinction with Il
difference which it is prudent not to
amplify. One other point appears in
Mr.. De Forests suggestive remarks.
America is changing in the matter
under discussion. Decreasing respect
is being paid to the slf-made for
tunes. Increasing respect is being
paid to the uses made of the re-
sources which give leisure for pub
lie service. Our dollar year" men
have set high standards in the use
of talents for public rather than pri-
vate or individual benefit, and the
salaries which many did not collect
have given satisfactions beyond the
power of money to command The
administration of the Rockefeller for
tune for good works is worthy to
rank with the fathers requirement
of the fortune. II would be easy to
make list of those with similar
opportunity who have wasted their
chance to rank as faithful servants
of the common good.