Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-10-05
TOR THE ARGUS.
FROM THE CLUB.
. P;ch,nan1a Qct. faf

,
We generally find, a disposition In
the world to condemn a man Who lives
extravagantly, and we, commonly re-
proach him with living beyond his
means, with living upon the, property
of others, and SO forth whilst the man
who is successful in trade, who gets
rich, and on his riches moves in style
of splendor, is admired, followed, and
eulogized. Yet there is little differ
ence, in reality, between these two cha
racters. The Individual who lives be-
yond his means, does, unquestionably,
very unjusti6ably live upon the proper.
ty OF others; but there is this palliati.
on in it, that he thus expends the sub
stance of other men by their consent,
tor If they would not trust. him be
could not hvebeyond his means, The
man, on the other hand, who lives up
on wealth acquired in dealing, lives
|uponth advantages which he has OBJ.
tanned from other individuals for
what are frcfts, what the gains of trade,
what the income Of speculators but a6.
oe1,tascs which cunning men derive in
their dealings from men less cunning |?
| do not speak here of fair dealing Of
something sold for something bought
of an equal value. but I a,lude to the
gains which accrue from the arfifcec
of shop keeping, and of dealings in gee
neral, the doctrine of which is not a
reasonable advance on the article sold,
as compensation for trouble, and la
! Dor, and risk but which is. C as MICH
as you can get" The profits accuma..
lated IN this way; or, at least all that
part of them ever and above fair pre-
MUM for agency, are so much taken
from others upjustly; and it is taken
from sufferers without their consent,
they not perceiving it, because it is
done in a gradual manner and in very
small quantities; or sxtorted from
ttheir wants. To exemplify. Suppose
a shoP-keeper buys several hogsheads
OF sugar anime cents per pound we
will allow him three cents per pound
for his labor, risk, &c. which would
bring 1t to twelve Cents per pound /:
Bat the Importation of this article is
isuddenly INSTRUCTED orthe supply for
the town from some casualty falls
short; and, In consequence, rhe seller
rises in his demand and requires If
teen cents per pound: the three CENTS
additional would be as fraudufe ntiy OBJ.
tanned, as the same excess would be
unjust in man who in that proportion
i lived beyond his income.
Thus are our understandings aeceiy.
led by modes s. one man shall pick your
| pocket n one way, with applause and
with imPuni;y; whilst, if he were to
DO It in another way, he would be
whipped, pilloried, or sent to the peni-
Tertiary. Wealth lords it over the hui
man mind it seems to be the lever
that moves every thing. 1t varnishes
vice; o5scures virtue; eicvates dull.
ness depresses talents beauties
nglinsss /; scandaiizes beauty. Can
we wonder, when it thus commands
every thing, that it should be SO much
! courted that men rush forward in
the pursuit of it in violation of every
principle Of honor! 1t is wealth that
creates IN our minds the & iff .rence be-
tween tie man of profits and the man
of extravaganza. The man OF profits
has money, and We follow: the man
OF extravaganza become poor, and we
desert and condemn him. Young
men! If you have talents, take care. Of
your dollars: il you have no talents,
take care of your dbilarsl r.