The boy is a better democrat when he
leaves college than he will be later, if he goes into business. The
university has taught him and equipped him to use his own gifts and powers
for his advancement; but the first lesson of business, and the last, is to
use other men's gifts and powers. If he looks about him at all, he sees
that no man gets rich simply by his own labor, no matter how mighty a
genius he is, and that, if you want to get rich, you must make other men
work for you, and pay you for the privilege of doing so. Isn't that true?"
The banker turned to the manufacturer with this question, and the other
said: "The theory is, that we give people work," and they both laughed.
The minister said: "I believe that in Altruria no man works for the profit
of another?"
"No; each works for the profit of all," replied the Altrurian.
"Well," said the banker, "you seem to have made it go. Nobody can deny
that. But we couldn't make it go here."
"Why? I am very curious to know why our system seems so impossible to
you."
"Well, it is contrary to the American spirit. It is alien to our love of
individuality."
"But we prize individuality, too, and we think we secure it under our
system.
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