Page:The Battle for Bread (1875).pdf/21

Rh

F the philanthropic motto of "Humanity first, If everything else afterward," were altered to read Money first, everything else afterward, it would better express the ruling love of those types of men who rule the world. The power of money, as now wielded, broods over the heart of Humanity like a grim nightmare. To it are subordinate the Press and Pulpit, the Church and State, and the actions of all these are moulded and modified by its supreme behests. Everything bends to it, as the tree bends to the storm.

With some honorable exceptions, these money-lords and millionaires act as if they considered that God had created this world for their special benefit, that there was no room on this little planet for any body except such as they can use to subserve their own selfish purposes—that all who did not serve and honor them, were as so many interlopers and intruders.

It was the testimony of Peter Cooper, the millionaire philanthropist—one of the few noble rich men who have blest, instead of cursed the world by their influence and example, and whose name will be revered by those who will rise up in after ages—"this man has