Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-11-16
ACCUMULATION OF PROPERTY

hNN " M VIA lON OF PROPERTY.
suppose the progress and decline OF FAM
ny fortunes have been essentially the same
IN all parts of the world, il we except those
countries in which The laws of entail and
primoseniture preserve the oldest son from
ths reVerses " hiCh otherwise would inevita-
bly, ensue.
A young man comes into the CITY from
his respectable home of industry in the coun-
try. lie comes with energy of character,
anu Industrious habits, and Injured To econ
omy. lie las nothing to depend upon but
his own resources OF diligence and fidelity.
Aher lew years he commences business
for himself. His only capital is good name
and business talents. These guide him TO
wealth.-in few years he is found one o:
the most opulent aud influential merchants
81 tn: city And the country boy Who comes
into Washington street, as he did, in search
OF fortune, now looks up 10 him with rev.
srence us to one OF the noblest Of the land
This is The history Of many of the first
merchants Of Boston and Of New York
These poor country boys, with the virtues
which are burtured in an economical home
come into our cities and take the lead in la W
IN politics, and in merchandise. There are
exceptions, but this is the general rules in
all the principal cities of this country and Of
England! What is the subsequent history
The sons and the daughters of this now
rich man, fad o very different cradle from
that which their father found in his parental
home. Proiusion aud spIendor are ali around
Them Their father trod painted flesr, Or
perhaps ate his bread from the ear,hen bowl
or the Tin dipper. They now move in apart
ments furnished with splendor, and take their
coffee from cups Of silver. l am not saying
That This Is wrong. but simply describing the
process which apprehend is general-Un-
der such Influences they have many imagi>
nary wants, and the profusion around them
destroys all habits OF eConomy-The sons
feel That they are not dependant upon their
exeriions for support that their ialheir
IS rich, that he will set them up in bu-
siness, and they think that property will flow
IN upon them as easy as IL follows the well
directed efforts Of the fathers strong mind.
lhey form no habits OF clsse application.
hey have received no instruction in the
hard but useful school OF adversely The ia.
ther has felt that in amassing property he
has promoted the welfare of bis family. He
would he rich, and no has fallen into snare.
The father dies. The property is divided
The sons are in business their habits are
such that they cannot endure the rigor of
unwearied exertion. Their father com mem
ced at The bottom OF the ladder and gradually
assembled. He came from the farm house
ana rose by degrees 10 opuleace nnd luxury.
The sons commenced at the top of the ladder
ana go down. Year after year the property
dwlndles away, and tbs children are soon
ialrly down in the walks of obscurity and
poverty. The son Of the coachman and his
master simply change places The one with
wife and children take the inside seat The
olher with whip and rein mounts the box.
IL is thus the wheel is continually revolving.
And this not through the caprices of blind
fortune, but through the operation Of clearly
dehned and natural causes.
! Now here is the snare into which he falls
who would be rich. He may be laboring
all his life, for the accumulation of property
anu That very property be the cause of the
ruin OF his own family. The exposure of the
| daughters happiness, may be still greater
than that OF the sons. When an affectionsie
hearted lady awakens 10 tho con seriousness tha I
her husband has taken her but as The mecca
sary Incumsrance 10 her fathers property,
the measure OF her wreichedness is almost
iuil. The danger OF unhappy marriage is
under all circumstances great, even when
there IS no ailurement TO the connection, but
| congeniaIity Of TASTE and affection the num-
her of i'll sorted and discordanl unions il
iearfully great. But tie chances OF happi-
ness which young lady with an indepsn-
dent iortuae, has, are very small indeed
The very fact that she hiss money will be re-
gardsd as an objection, by many Of the best
minds and hearts, while the frivolous and the
heariless, and the profigale, will crowd a.
round her. An ingenuSus young man shrink $
from the impuiatian OF marry ing for money
and he fears TO take as companion through
lies hard pilgrimage one mo has been nun
sured In fashion and luxury.
Thus does man not unfrequently labor
Tor his whole life 10 accumulate prouerty
which ruins his sons and destroys his daugh-
ters. He neglecis God, and gives himsel!
no Tins for preparation fer another world
and when age and infirmities press heavily
upon him, he finds he has spehi his strength
Tor that which 10 not bread, and his labor Tor
that which profieih moi.