The difference is that for a soundly conceived and solidly endowed republic it takes a great deal longer for those seeds to germinate and the plants to grow. Robert W. Welch, Jr. More Quotes by Robert W. Welch, Jr. More Quotes From Robert W. Welch, Jr. In the best days of our republic Americans were fiercely proud of the fact that rich and poor met on such equal terms in so many ways, and without the slightest trace of hostility. Robert W. Welch, Jr. best rich poor proud