Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1848-11-04

hold office in the state, unless he was more or less
wealthy. 1t will be remembered that Carth"Se was
republic, and had no hereditary aristocracy dehce'
wealth formed the chief distinction 1t might there
fore, be good rule, that those who had most inhu
ence in the state should possess the most poilucai
power; that, 'to have stake in the hedge, shouiu
be deemed necessary qualification for those who
were to govern the state. When man OF Wealth
accepts an office in the state his individual property
gives additional respectabiy TO his ofhclai saon'
Rank, and talents, and cloqucnce, and learning,
and moral worth, all receive respect; but uncon-
nectcd with property they have much less influence
in commanding the services of other men. These
may attract admiration, but ii is property that gives
power. Detached from property, their influence IS
cYancscent as the fragrance OF flowers detached
from the soil. 1t may be true, the soil has little
that claims respect, but still the virtues which
the flowers extract from the soil give and maintain
their fragrance and their strength. Thus, the clod
of wealth, though in itself II adds nothing to ndIvl
dual character, yet having its influences purified and
varied by the channels through which they pass,
gives additional beauty and energy to both the public
and the private virtues it imparts tirmness TO pa
triotism; it gives lovcler hue to beneyolence, and
a more extensive charm TO religion. The example
Of man of property has wider influence, and,
when exercised in the path of patriot, phllan-
thropst, and Christian, is more likely to be FOL
lowed.
One advantage OF rendering wealth the road to
honor may have been that individuals would be more
anxious TO acquire wealth, and also that those who
had acquired honors would suffer their own es-
tate TO fall into decay lest they should have again
to abdicatc thoir official stations. 1t is good max
I'M, and one likely TO have been current in com
mcrcial state, that il man does not take care OF MS
own affairs, he is not likely to attend well to those
of other people. They ''who sit in high places
ought to be noble and generous, and magnanlmous;
but no man ought TO be generous beyond his means.
The man who has squandcred his property In graft
fyng vain ostentaton, falsely called hospitality,
has grasped at the shadow, but lost the substance.
From this cause many who are born rich, die poor
He had thus squandered away his own property
would not, at Carthage, have been entrusted with
the treasures Of the state.
5. The Carthaginians looked upon commeIce with
respect.
No man will excel in his profession if he thinks
himself above II; and commerce VIII never hourish
in any country where commerce IS not respected
Commerce fouriShed in England because there a
merchant respected, and was thought worthy oil
the highest honor his country could bcStow. Com
mcrce never lourishcd in France, because there 1t
was despised; and the character Of IN richie botn-
geOis rich citizen, was the character which their
dramatic writers fond OF introducing as the
subject of ridiculc. Commerce will never flourish
10 country where young men, whose fathers are
barely able TO maintain gcnteel appearance, think
il beneath their rank TO enter counting house, ana
prefer to maintain the character OF cigar-smoklHg
oungcrs Commerce will never flourish IN coun-
try where property acquired by Industry IS consid-
cred less deserving Of respect than property acqur-
ed by inheritance. Commerce will never flourish
in a country where in business instead OF bring
ing up their 10 the same business think 1t more
will never flourish in a country where men, as soon
as they get few thousand pounds by trade, are anX-
ious to get Of trade and TO mix with tbs society
Of the Fashionable world. What is it that gives re-
spectaGity? Is it knowledge; What profession re
uuircs so much and such varied knowledge, as that
Of a merchant? Is it utility the state? What or
der of men tend more to increase the wealth and
happiness of the than that Of merchants Is ii
moral character? To whom is moral character so
essential as to a merchant? Without this he is des
pissed
It is much 10 be regretted that people who have
realized a little money by trade should retire and
take out their capital, and thus reduce the CONNER
cal capital Of the country. What reason can You
assign for thi,' You say you Independent: 60
on, get wealthy. You say you are wealthy: go and
get more wealth. The NOR wealth you get, the
more you your country, and the greater power
YOU have Of doing good to others. You say you are
getting old. take young partner; do you find capt.
tai and knowledge, let him find labor and activity.
You say you have toilcd long enough; You wish TO
retire and enjoy yourself. Retirement will be no
enjoyment to Won: to a man OF your active habits
solitude and 1leness will have no charms. The
most ciicctua means YOU adopt to make yourself
wrcchrd, and to shorten your days, will be to place
Yourself in a situation where you will have nothing
10 do. But you say, you think II will be more re
spectacle 10 be out Of busness-to have an establish
mcnt like noblemau-and to introduce your sons
and daughters into fashionable society. Oh if that
is the reason by all means go if you have become
so highthat you look down upon your business, the
sooner you leave it the better. have nothing more
10 say