Though not itself of the highest importance, it is the foundation upon which the whole superstructure of civilization is built, and without which it could not exist.
Accordingly, we have sought, so far as we could, to make investments in such a way as will tend to multiply, to cheapen, and to diffuse as universally as possible the comforts of life.

We claim no credit for preferring these lines of investment.

We make no sacrifices.

These are the lines of largest and surest return.

In this particular, namely, in cheapness, ease of acquirement, and universality of means of subsistence, our country easily surpasses that of any other in the world, though we are behind other countries, perhaps, in most of the others.
It may be asked: How is it consistent with the universal diffusion of these blessings that vast sums of money should be in single hands?
The reply is, as I see it, that, while men of wealth control great sums of money, they do not and cannot use them for themselves.