Summary Of William Graham Sumner's 'The Forgotten Man'

The Remembrance of the Forgotten Man
Humans, as a collective or individually, are inherently flawed and expected to contribute just as many achievements as they do misfortunes to the world and people around them. Society, in turn, as both a product and reflection of human action, is just as imperfect. Both can be viewed as machines, in a sense, as they are both producers of many products and byproducts; however, when a machine develops a problem, there is inevitably someone trained, or at least thinks they are trained, to fix it. If not fix it, then provide ideas for those with better means to do the job they cannot, for whatever reason. In William Graham Sumner’s The Forgotten Man, Sumner attempts to act as both the proverbial repairman and
spokesman for the unspoken for; that is, the employee and thankless worker, the titular forgotten man.
Although this address took place in 1876, it is still relevant in today’s society, with many of the cases and examples Sumner provides for illustration still ringing true for many of America’s present labor force, The Forgotten Man takes a very long and hard look at society’s faults and offers advice for those both employed and employing. Sumner begins his address with several illustrations, such as the comparison between the attention yellow fever outbreaks garner as opposed to the ratio of death by consumption. He provides further examples with great inundations and runaway horses, and between debtors and those whom suffer from what Sumner calls “commonplace misfortune”. With those that receives attention on a great or even national level, whom Sumner refers to as X, are then observed by A and his companion B. A and B might be read as the government and upper class, respectively, for they discuss the matter of X’s suffering. In the end, the two decide that C, a member that was not even brought into the discussion until now, will do something for X, or perhaps A and B will let C join them in doing something to
relieve X of any burdens. C, the man forgotten until what he can do for A and B’s cause, is the forgotten man. Sumner then goes on to discuss the irony in how, since the invention of the printing press and a more literate society, there is much navel-gazing at both ourselves and others, sparking analysis, and yet much generalization towards what is truth. Views clash, each one promoting their own way of fixing whatever problem is popular in that week or month’s issue, and they are certain it will work. Sumner’s language suggests he treats these views with contempt, saying how people do not know in which direction they should go in their campaigns, but also that social reform is “the most barren and tiresome subject of discussion”. He notes that those that look at things in an objective manner must be viewed as cold, but asks his audience to see that no device exists to guarantee happiness without such things as “industry, economy, and virtue”. While science has advanced in the way of industry, when it comes to society and social order, it simply has not. Traditions reign supreme in legislation and social customs, and are hardly ever broken, almost as if to do otherwise is taboo. Sumner then brings the question of liberty to the discussion, mentioning an article which defines “civil liberty”.
Civil liberty is defined, to paraphrase, as the power of the people over powers and individuals above them, so that they may not abuse their powers. Sumner points out the fallacy in this, along with the teleological intent of the writer. He points out that, in essence, vice and corruption is in every corner and institution of the world, and not even a people meant to keep those in power from abusing their authorities are exempt from this. Even then, when power is taken from the privileged to give to the man with less, the privileged complains as if his whole life were taken from him. The word liberty brings to mind somewhat romantic notions, such as a man being able to do exactly as he pleases, without consequence, of which there is none for that degree of power would likely be recklessly abused. “True liberty,” says Sumner, “lies in the equilibrium of rights and duties, producing peace, order, and harmony.” Sumner then talks about how sentimentality has almost completely fallen out of the work force, but yet the “poor and the weak” so frequently displayed in the news are given the greatest amount of this leftover sentiment. While Sumner does not say that charity is wrong, he is not for the notion that it will bring whomever gives something back, either monetary or spiritual, then it does not; indeed, in takes something away from both the giver and a citizen
of the working class, in other words, the forgotten man. If conditions for one are to improve, it should be understood that another will suffer for it; therefore, there should be a limit to affecting such situations. In most cases, the forgotten man suffers from this, be it the rich donating to a charity, or a policeman picking up a drunk in the street, abstaining from alcohol on Sundays via legislative measures, or passing laws on the conditions in factories instead of letting employer and employee determine if these conditions are fit. In his next illustration, Sumner discusses the raising of wages, which can only be done if capital is increased or if other employees are let go. Both result in the rate of living rising to compensate, making all the effort bringing more harm than good. Other means of harm are jobbery, which is an “effort to win wealth, not by honest and independent production, but by some sort of scheme for extorting other people’s product”. Sumner refers to hydraulic miners in California, whom ruined valleys and farms in their search of gold by washing dirt into these places. Ironically, they make outcries to remove this at the expense of the government, and not themselves, of course. There are other examples of which the government pays for, such as with pensions and protective tariffs. In these cases, men find ways to blame others, but never themselves. Not even in the case where those they blame were elected personally by protestors. Jobbery, in Sumner’s opinion, leads to waste, and there is always a victim. That victim is, once again, the forgotten man. When the forgotten man is victimized and, to borrow slang, left to pick up the tab, both he and society suffers since he upholds it with his hard work. In Sumner’s closing words, he advises his audience to fight for the forgotten man in lieu of fighting for the less fortunate, since it is for the benefit of all. Sumner also brings back the question of liberty, and winning it for the forgotten man so he may exercise powers for himself and commonwealth, which is what he believes the forgotten man needs. Overall, The Forgotten Man provides numerous cases and examples for its audience to both shock and intrigue them. The idea of a free man being incapable of receiving a favor, for fear of demeaning himself is one such example. It is simple, in that the man whom takes a favor loses his equal standing with another, since he owes him for this, and is not truly free until he is called upon. With this held over him, he cannot truly deny what is later asked of him, be it mundane or otherwise. This goes practically hand in hand with talk about the contradiction that is improving conditions for one set of men at the expense of others. Most often when talk of helping others is done, it is suggested that doing so will affect the general, if not all, population in a positive manner. As Sumner points out, this is rarely the case, as someone always has to end up paying for the elevation of others. Not just in working conditions, but also in rate of wage, since those in industry are subjected to more dangers, such as the loss of digits, and degrees of sweat. As employees and those that take up their banner cry for raised wages, they do not often realize that, should they win, they raise wages and the rate of living for all. Yet, though, does not everyone seek to be rich in some way, despite how it might affect others? Evidently, the Californian hydraulic miners, in pursuit of gold, ruined the ecosystem and livelihood of plant, animal, and human alike in their endeavor had only this goal in mind. This is likely the most startling and sickening fact Sumner presents, especially when he explains that they then demanded the federal government clean up the mess they had created. In most cases, one would expect them to be fined and charged with cleanup, but this belief was slowly diminished and died as Sumner explained the many ways in which the government helps, not punishes, those that desire private gain despite harming other’s property and lives. Perhaps the most startling fact of all is the revelation that we, as a democracy, elect officials and representatives that uphold these views which are supposed to be reflections of our own. Yet, they are not, and while we have the power to replace them, they are not replaced. Instead, they sit as we sit, and complain only of their misfortune. However, while Sumner has a great many points, and he makes sure to provide evidence for each one, he and his work are not infallible. The drunkard in the gutter, Sumner says, is where he ought to be. While he notes that this is cold, even shocking, he urges his audience to overcome that. For many, that is impossible, as they can only think of the possibilities for how that man arrived to that gutter, for he was most assuredly not born into it. Sumner’s use of language is characteristic of a functionalist ideology, and can be largely unappealing for many. For while he places the laborer on a pedestal, and calls him clean, honest, and good, he all but calls the “poor and the weak” the unwashed masses. When he critiques novels by French authors, such as Victor Hugo, the likeliest novel of whom comes to mind is Hugo’s magnum opus, Les Misérables. While the main protagonist of Les Misérables is undoubtedly a criminal and his misfortunes are largely the fault of oppression for this status he earned, the main point of the novel was he reformation and transformation into an upstanding citizen, an idea of which was largely considered scandalous at the time of its publication. Of course, since Sumner seems so against the reformation of almost all kinds, this was likely not taken into consideration as preposterous and a waste of effort. In terms of other disagreements, while Sumner is correct in saying that raising the wages of one or a group will raise the rate of living for all, he offers no solution for those that do need the increase since the rate of living is already unmanageable. Perhaps that is to be expected, however, since Sumner seeks only to raise awareness, but rarely offers any solution outside that. Regardless, Sumner compiled one of the more effective addresses in regards to laborers, and might be considered timeless. Sumner clearly researched his topic thoroughly and his opinions stand strong, making it quite certain he is not a man easily swayed by sentimentality. His questions on the nature of liberty, which calls out the idea that there is a man with means to “do as he mind to”. His barrage of questions, are powerful men, such as Russia’s Czar, or the Catholic Pope, or even the President of the United States do as he please cut through “liberty’s” grand illusions. That is perhaps Sumner’s greatest asset in his field, which is how he is able to push aside illusions and offer facts, even if they are without kindness. This is seen, also, in the discussion of taxes on whiskey and tobacco, in which he quotes William D. Kelley’s talk that there will be a rebellion if those taxes were not taken off. But not, Sumner notes with a bitterness that can be heard even through mere text, if the tax was paid to farmers instead of the government. Brutal honesty is both the strength and weakness of Sumner’s words. The Forgotten Man provides no solutions, only facts and revelations which are meant to spark ideas. In that sense, it is like Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, in which is a push needed to open eyes and take action. What action, however, is that soon becomes the question. With a national debt increasing by terrifying numbers in each hour passing, what can a citizen, responsible or otherwise, offer in a solution? Perhaps the first is to take more responsibility with the government, as while many can complain about those they do elect, there are those that do not choose at all and let other people’s votes count more since they feel their vote and voice is insignificant in comparison. If a great many can be assured of that, there might be a turning point in regards to how the government is run and what bill are passed. In present day, where media is very much the ruler of people’s minds, perhaps this would be the most effective method of affecting the masses in a positive manner. After all, media is a tool and medium, and can be used in both positive and negative ways. It is easy to push away the notion and cling to more nostalgic ideals, but embracing what changes coming and using this in advantageous ways is both evolutionary and necessary for the betterment of everyone.