The native American., 1839-01-05

this character. Every thing is bought on the ex
Peclallon OF selling it Tor more. But this rage ol
speculation, this eagerness of many for sudden
and stupendous accumulation, this spirit OF gam
bling in trade, is different thing. II proceeds
OH principles entirely different from the maxims
of regular and pains-taking business. 1t is not
looking to diligence and fidelity for fair reward,
but TO change and chance for fortunate turn.
1t is drawing away mems minds from the health
iul processes Of sober industry and attention to
business, and leading them to wait in ieversh ex-
citement, as at The wheel of lottery. The pro-
per basis of success-vigilant care and labor-is
torsaken for system of baseless credit. Upon
this system, men proceed, straining their means
and stretching their responsibilities, till, in calm
times, they can scarcely hold on upon their posi-
ton; and when sudden jar shakes the CONNER
cial world, or sudden blast sweeps over it, many
fall, like unmely fruit, from the towering tree of
tancied prosperity. Upon this system, many
imagine that they are doing well, when they
not doing well. They rush into expenses, which
they cannot afford, upon the strength, not of their
actual, but OF their imaginary or expected means.
Dung men, who, in former days, would have
been advised 10 walk awhile longer, and patiently
to tread the upward path, must buy horses and ve-
hicles Tor their accommodation, and mounted upon
the car OF lanccd independence, they are hurried
only TO switter destruction.
This system Of rash and adventurous specua-
ton, oyeriooks all the moral uses and ends of bu
sness. 10 DO business and get gain, honestly
and conscientiously, is good thing. 1t is use
ful discipline of the character. look upon man
who has acquired wealth, in laudable conscen-
uous and generous pursuit of business, not only
with respect far hey ond what l can feel for his
wealth--for which, indeed, abstracily, can feel
,,n, al IL, 4.
has acquired something far more valuable than op-
ulence. But for this discipline of the character,
for the reasonableness and rectilude ofmind which
a regular business intercourse may form, specula-
ton furnishes but narrow field. if any at all;
such speculation, | mean, as has lately created a
popular phrenzy in this country about the sudden
acquisition Of property. The game which men
were playing was too rapid and the stake too
large, to admit cfthe calm determinations of con-
science, and the reasonable contemplation ofmoral
ends. Wealth came to be looked upon as the only
end. And immediate wealth, was the agitating
prize. Men could not wal; for the slow and dis
ciplinary methods, by which Providence designed
that they should acquire it; but they felt, if it
were the order of Providence, that fortunes should
fall direct from heaven into their open hands.
Rather, should we not say that mnltiludes did not
look to heaven at all, but to speculation itself, in
stead, as if it were god, or some wonder-work-
ing magician, at least, that suddenly to endow
them with opulence. Acquisition became the
story Of an Arabian tale; and mems minds were
! filled with romantic schemes, and visionary hopes,
and vain longings, rather than with sobriety, and
candor, and moderation, and gratitude, and trust
in Heaven.
This insane and Unsuitable passion for accumu-
lation ever ready, when circumstances favor to
seize upon the public mind is that Glove of mo-
ney which is the root of all evil that ''covetous
ness which is idoatry." 1t springs from all un-
due, an idoatrous estimate of the value of pro-
perty. Many are feeling, that nothing-nothing
| will do for them for their children, but wealth;
nor good character, we-trained and we'll
eXerted faculties, not virtue, not the hope Of Ilea
ven--nothing but wealth. 1t is their god, and
the god of their families Their sons are grow
ing up to the same worship Of it, and to an
equally baneful reliance upon it for the future;
they are rushing into expenses which the divided
property Of their fathers house will not enable
them to sustain; and they are preparing TO be in
turn and from necessity, slaves.to the same idol.
How truly is it written, that ''they that UiN be
rich, fall into temptation, and snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men
in destruction and perdtion!'' There is no need
that they should be rich; but they ,riN be rich.
All the noblest functions Of life may be discharged
without wealth, all its highest honors obtained,
all its purest pleasures enjoyed yet repeat it
Notwithstanding will do but wealth. Disappoint
a man of this, and he mourns as if the highest
end of life were defeated. Strip him of this; and
this gone, all is gone Strip him Of this, and
shall point to no unheard of experience, when
say-he had rather die than live!