Business Enterprise: Traditional Symbol of Opportunity

r NHE DESIRE for business ownership has long been an essential part of the American dream. The opportunity to go into business for > . oneself has always been considered an integral element of the American way of life. Our traditional concept of opportunity has carried) and still carries) a heavy emphasis on freedom ))) on being on one)s own ))) being one)s own boss )' and working for oneself )). To be sure) business ownership has never been the only kind of opportunity in this society; the concept has included) of course) the opportunity of farmers on the farm) of labour within the promotional hierarchy of the factory, of the salaried employee on the staff of the large corporation) of the professional) independent or salaned. Business owrnership is only a part, but one that lies closer to the full traditional meaning of opportunity than does simply making money)) by working for others) regardless in what form. This has never been more succinctly expressed than in the celebrated statement by Abraham Lincoln in his New Haven Speech which is still widely quoted to-day: