AP U.S. History — Period 6 (1865–1898) — Drill 11

The following is excerpted from Andrew Carnegie, "Wealth," published in the North American Review in June 1889. The problem of our age is the proper administration of wealth, so that the ties of brotherhood may still bind together the rich and poor in harmonious relationship. [...] The contrast between the palace of the millionaire and the cottage of the laborer with us today measures the change which has come with civilization. This change, however, is not to be deplored, but welcomed as highly beneficial. It is well, nay, essential for the progress of the race, that the houses of some should be homes for all that is highest and best in literature and the arts, and for all the refinements of civilization, rather than that none should be so. [...] While the law [of competition] may be sometimes hard for the individual, it is best for the race, because it insures the survival of the fittest in every department. [...] This, then, is held to be the duty of the man of Wealth: First, to set an example of modest, unostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance; [...] and after doing so to consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust funds, which he is called upon to administer [...] for the community — the man of wealth thus becoming the mere agent and trustee for his poorer brethren, bringing to their service his superior wisdom, experience, and ability to administer, doing for them better than they would or could do for themselves. [...] Of such as these the public verdict will then be: "The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced."