Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-02-23
From ths Philadelphia Herald.
THE SPIRIT OF SPECULATION
THE YOUNG.
FROM AN UNPUBLISHED ADDRESS.

FRON AN UNPUBLISHED ADDRESS.
There is source Of danger that
should excite solicitude for YouNo MEN.
allude to the prevailing mania for spec
ulation, which within few wears has
set in upon this nation like an overflow =
ing torrent. The world before this has
seen nothing that can be com pared with
ii; and it has become deeply interest
ing question. whittier ell this will tend,
and what will be its result. All classes
of the community are affected by it. E.
ven age, although rolling in wealth, is
seized with the Unsuitable desire ofamas.
sing treasures, and the poor remnant of
life. instead of being devoted to sober
enjoyments and preparation for that
Journey which all, sooner or later must
take. is devoted to the work of adding
field to field, and heaping up treasures
Tor heirs. they know not who" But
this PHRENzY. for such it is fast becom-
ing, seizes with peculiar power on Dung
men. 1t suits their spirit of enterprise :;
1t meets their desire for active employ
ment; it seems adapted to their ardor
and love of excitement. And it cannot
be denied. that compared with purposes
iorsw hich young men have been called
forth in other times, it possesses many
things which are doubly advantageous
and praiseworthy. Better, by far, that
the powers should be devoted TO the pur-
poses ofEain than of conquest: that the
land should be traversed, and the streams
be assembled, and the mountains climb
ed in pursuit of wealth than in pur.ui,
OF the spoils of battle, or to strew the
earth with the dead, as has been the
case In other times and other lands. But
there are perils attending this spirit OF
speculation which should excite alarm
and which. if not checked aud restrain
ed. will speedily endanger all that we
hold dear as people. Some of those
perlis are the following: 1t tends tc
destroy all sober habits of industry, and
all respect for the slow but virtuou.
modes by which property was acquired
by our fathers. Few young men are
| contented with moderate but certain
gains, when reports are borne on every
breeze from every quarter, of the i'm.
tnense fortunes made in few months
or few days. The ideas of frugality
economy and sober estimates of life, on
which the proper habits of republican
simplicity depend. are in danger of be.
ing dissipated, like chaff before the
whirldwind; and all that has been val
liable in our rational estimates Of life, il
in peril Of being broken up. There il
danger that all sober habits should b,
destroyed: there is danger that all tina
contributes to moral purity and integrit,
should be broken down; there is dan
ger that every thing should be made t.
bend TO the acquisition of wealth anc
tina, there should be no honesty, no truth
no fair dealing, no conscience. no edu-
cation, no religion. no law, that should
not be regarded as subordinate TO the
sudden acquisition of splendid fortunes
Should this become the passion of the
nation should it seize upon our young
men, no man can doubt the copseauen.
ces. Let one giant passion seize the ma
tionai mind, and every thing will b,
Frustrated before it, as in the sweeping
Of the tempest. Over the result, ever,
man must tremble. At its anticipate
march over virtue, truth, honesty ane
religion, every lover of his country mus
be alarmed, and all the power of paren
tai influence, ell the force of the pre-
cepts Of the wise. the sobor-miDded ans
the good, are demanded to maintain, eve
ry where among our young men. tn,
sense Of the value Of slow but certain
gains. and contented and homes. industr,
and virtue"