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with the whole population, is suggestively small. Out of a 

 total population in 1880 of over 50,000,000, the census re- 

 ports 17,392,000 engaged in gainful avocations, — only 

 about one person in three being so engaged. Nor does this 

 enumeration take into account the great loss of time for 

 lack of steady employment. That system which offers to 

 the greatest possible number the opportunity to work, is the 

 system that will do most to promote the general welfare. 



That a greater diversity of industry does that, I think, is 

 susceptible of proof. In 1870, 32.43 per cent, of the people 

 of this country were engaged in productive employment, 

 and in 1880, 34.68 per cent, were so engaged, an increase 

 of more than 2 per cent, in 10 years, during which time the 

 recent great tendency to a multiplication of industries was 

 in operation. If there had been no increase in the percent- 

 age of employed persons during that decade, 1,126,579 of 

 the 17,392,000 employed ones would have been in idleness 

 in 1880. The great benefit to the country of the labor of 

 these 1,000,000 persons can hardly be overestimated. 

 They added materially to your market and mine as well. 



The wealth of the country is the product of its labor, 

 both mental and physical. Greater opportunity develops 

 workers, and more workers make more wealth, and the 

 more wealth there is in the country the greater will be the 

 material welfare of all of its inhabitants. I believe this to 

 be strictly true, notwithstanding the assertion so often 

 made, but never substantiated by proof, that the "rich are 

 growing richer, and the poor poorer." The rich may be 

 growing richer, but it is equally true that the poor are also 

 getting to be much better off. 



Inequalities in individual conditions will always exist, 

 but they are more apparent than real. The great wealth 



