The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-01-04


learn, without the aid of lore powder.
Extract from Miss Sedgwck's new work, called
" The Rich Poor Man and the Poor Rich Man"
WHO Is THE HAPPlESTI
"Why yes said Caleb Miner, whose rug
ged features expressed general dscontent,
-" n poor man, and II poor mans children,
have but a few privileges in this life; work,
woik-and 40 play while the rich have
nothing to do but enjoy themselves"
Enjoy themselves if they can, and
work too" replied Henry Akin, with a
smile. :" often drive home at nightfnll
with light hcart-for my work is done,
my wages earned aud paid aud / leave the
merchants VIII" employ me standing over
their desk, their brows drawn up to knot
with care and anxiety; and there they stay
till seven, eight, or nine o'clock-lookug
over puzzllng accounts, calculating gains
or losses, ns The cnse may be. IL there are
sucb rich men rs you speak OF, Miner
they are beyond my knowledge. don't
know that you join in it; but must say,
think there is "A useless and senselcss outcry
against rich men. IL comes from the unob-
StINlUg, iEuOfhuty VIC
must remember that, in our country, there
are no fixed classes the poor family oflhis
generation is the rich family of The next
and, more than that, the poor Of to-day
are the rich of Tomorrow. The prizes are
open to all, aud they fall without favor.
Our rich people, too, aie many of them,
among the very best society," know some
such-,herc is Mr. Beckwith, he has ten
talents, aud faithful steward is he; he
and his whole family are an honor and u
blessing to their country-doing in every
way all the good they can. Such a rich
mau as Morris Finley despise, or rather
pity, as much as you or any mau can; but
pray, do not let u, envy him his riches
they are something quite independent Of
himself; aud, can man be really poorer
than no is--a poor mind, n poor heart
that is the poserty TO shun. As TO rich men
being nt their ense, Miner, every new ac-
QUESTION brings new want--a new res.
ponsbility."
But Akin, Aikin--now cnndidIy,
would you not be willing to take their wants
aud responsibilities with their purses ~
81 cannot say, Miner; money is the re-
preventative Of power-the means of cxten-
ded usefulness and we all have dreams
Of the wonderful good we should do If we
had these means in our hands. But this
do know,--that, TIL we are conscious Of
employing, and employing well, the means
we have, we ought not to crave more. But
let us look at the matter in n right point Of
view. We are all children Of one famlly-
A
one station, and some in another! We are
all of US, from the highest to the lowest, la
borers in our Fathers field 1; aud as we
SOW, so shall we reap. II we labor rightly
those words Of truth and immense import
will sound in our ears like n promise, and
not like n threat. We shall work nj our
posts like faithful children, moi like tnsked
slave ;-and shall be sure Of the riches that
perish not in the using. As stoall other rich
es, it is not worth our while to covet or envy
them except in some rare cases, VIC have all,
in this country, gifts and means enough. As
to property, am the poorest man Of you ALL"
f" Yes, yes, Akin but you have every
thing else-what is The little advantage we
have in property compared to your educa-
ton, and so forth 7"
This argument Aiken could not sincere
" painsay but, ANXIOUS to Impart some OF
his sentiments to his friends, he proceeded
Among us working-men, property is
sign Of industry, ingenuity, temperance,
and fruraIity therefore, | am ANXIOUS to
make what excuse can for being 50 much
poorer than the rest Of you. You know
began with broken-down constitution,
and have never been able to perform half
the labor Of sound man but have taken
care Of what Strength had selected a
healthy business--I have been strictly tenn
pera,e, no, 5nly in drinking, but in eating
and this was always a ciean,-cheerful
home to come to,-has made nc q stoutcr