The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-06-06
SUCCESS AND FAILURE.

Ambition and avarlcc arc the two prpml-
ncn, actors in tho formation oi charactcr.-
Each induces an effort to arrive at diStinc.
ton. The one is tho lust of power, the 9th.
cr the desire of wealth, Of amassing immense
property. in drspn,ic countries ambition
dcvelnpcS itself in hc exercise Of the gross
er passions OF tho human heart ending in
cruelty, trcacherv aud deceit. There the
ambitious man must rise, by depressing his
fellow men. If he is possessed "i' a higher
degree Of intelligence ingenuity or tact. he
cannot give play 10 his m ghtT powers, in
accoldancc with the dictates of his nnblcr
nature. bu, must exercise item in cn>aving
his fellow men. and degrading them in the
same ratio as he rises But IN this favored
land ii is To he understood in 4 modified
sense. Here the peculiar constitution of or
government, and the characteristics OF lll,
popular mind, open ialrcr field for ambi-
ton to play in. Here intellect Il lone must
be made the greater instrument of ambition
--mnd, the mighty kvcr which heavcs of
every weight. removes every abslaclc, and
opens the way lhro' every difficulty. Our
institutions are admirably adapted inr bring
ing out, developing and invignra'ing the IN.
tcIcc,nal man. If the ambitious youth longs
to ascend up to whrre great men stand. The
first great step in his progress, is the culllva-
ton of the mlnd-the strcngihnng Of tic in
lcllccl-lhe pro;er direction of thought. He
is dependant uprn public opinion; therefore
if he accompllsh"s the true ends Of ambition,
he must carry man along with him. To
elevate himself he must elevate society, and
cnlighten the public mind. The very stroke
that unrolls the clouds from the mountains
brow. must d:ss pate the msts lha, darken
the valleys
In tlcspn,ic countries, nat on arcoli en- com.
plctcls under The power of a man Of most
brutal ignorance. Not so in America, where
he must work out his course bv both viz.
orolS and unCcaSng mental action. He
who is capable its hg'.cs, exercise, wIclds
a power 4 most omnipplcnt for good ar evil,
for tho people Of this country however rude
and uncu!iiratcd, love Il great mini, aud re-
vcrcncc a cultivated intellect. Aal when
they view It's mighty action, flushing with
light, and laundering forth deep hidden
truths, they n>imc'lvc'y ybnw 10 The workings
of supnr n genius This then is Il nnhIG
field for virlurnS ambition. Here too, every
man is entitled 10 the same privileges as his
ncighbor. has equal facilities of becoming
great. respectable and wealthy then /,
should be tho first object in the instruction
of youth to g'vc proper direction to
thought, yr.uonS tIngc 10 the colnrings OF
amblInn-'ink i, with the exercise Of inlcg.
ritz, industry and tcmpcrancc--and there
with. that Strength nI character, which will
enable them 10 reach that point which they
are too apt TO envy III others. without at
tempting to emulate their success. For
tune IS often, as in the days OF hcaIhcn N.Y.
thnlngy spoken of as tic guardian angel that
helps some on in successful life, while she
leaves others TO waste their lives in lrIllcsS
effort.
Nothing is 50 much abused as this word
!orlunc--nnlhing appears To be so little un,
dcrStood. Whenever a man has elevated
himself by homes, industry and strict Intcgri'
", he is regarded as fortunate man, and
50 is he who has become immensely rich by
the most illicit practices, so he is not detect
CT ana puhSilcu-ootn aic 'Cs"'iC' "du"''sE
fortunate. But this is wrong and unjust
If YOU sec one greatly eminent among good
men. il is not because he is fortunate, inI
fortune has been equally favorable TO hun
drcds of others who are far beneath him.
Like the Great Supreme, wh" sends Ills
rain upon the just and unj jnsi, fortune in tins
land confers The same opportunities on every
one. But as he whose grounds arc molstcn
ed witIIevening dcws and refreshing show
crs, vii! reap m benefit tharcirom unless he