Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-08-30
THE LUST FOR WEALTH.

THE LUST FOR WEALTH.
"Fhe passion for wealth is more generally
diffused, " and much less discountenanced, than
that Of sensuality. For avarice is as Lord By-
ron ironically styles it, a =" respectable gentleman
ty Utee," while sensualiiy is always loathsome,
except to those Immediately engaged in its boot
less chase. Consequently the lusi fur gold has
prevailed, unchecked in all ages, but more es-
peclally in those preceding the epoch of the
Christian revelation. $50 writes an exchange
before us, and while we do not pretend to oues-
ton the truth of his remarks, concerning the dar-
ker, yet we regret to add that the world, in the
present day Of literary refinement and moral ad-
%vancement, is not a whit behind the darker ages
in its lust for gold. The most casual observer
has only to glance at the state of things to feel
~sensibly this truth. Xae quick step and active
air of those filling the cfcSded commercial mart
how all-absorbed is each in himself, as if he
were the only being in society his mind is in
tently bent on making dollars and he is but
one among the thousands Go into the extern
sive mandatory, and while with delighted mind
you admire the beauties and power Of invention,
reflect 10 what end these fruits Of inventive pe-
MUS are applied. Go upon the hilltop, and look
ing down upon the verdant meadow, the rich
fields of grain, the orchard and vine-clad arbors.
all in l~uxuriant growth, ask yourself why 50
much industry in bringing forth the products of
the soil Go to the wharves Of yoir sea ports /:
gaze far away upon 4" the overland ~route," and
see the thousands embarking and taking Up the
long line Of travel for the golden Ell Dorado-for-
saking wife, children, parents, friends, home; all
that is dear to the human heart, and ask youseif
why this tstsnGturdl train There is bit one
answer to all-the love of gain-the lust foI
gold N0r are the manifestations Of this desire
seen only in the outward world it is the deity
of the fresids circle. II mo1lds the earliest
thought and directs its action. Around it bow
in low submission all the better feelings of our
nature. For it, all, all which belongs to the
man, mentally and physically, is offered a will
ing sacrifice.
Now; itmay be asked, are the fruits Of this de-
sire the elevation Of society, that full develope.
misnt Of the minds faculties, The beautiful, the
useful, the noble Being the controlling pow
er which influences every thought and feeling
it becomes the sule arbiter of every action. Self
emolument being its highest aim, it shapes every
exertion to this end. 1t requires activity, unre.
laxiEg activity-but it is not an activity for the
promotion of general good. 1t requires ~sleepless
attention, even such as belonged to the virgins
who tended the sacred fires of Vesta's temple
but it is a watching which takes care of self. In
fine, it concentrates the whole soul, its entire
thoughts and feelings on a single point, and that
point is SELF
Now, where in this system is that cultivation
} of mind, which lifts society from the depths Of
barbarism, to the mountain heights of power and
civilizations Where those brilliances and gIo-
ries Of intellect, which die not with nations, but
live in the admiration of all coming time a
Where that eloquence of the heart which flows
, from the deep well of the affections2 That eIo-
t quence which silent, unobserved, connects men
together by chains of sympathetic love and De-
nevolence2 Or where in this system is that
love. of country, that lofty patriotism, which
is the foundation Of national character? What
, is patriotism7 1t is a love Of country /; a love
t the very antithesis of self; a hove, which Like
/ the christians love, beauties and elevates socie-
ty. Can it exist in this money getting age p
2 Who can doubt that this is an age of degenerate
7 patriotism-an age of apOstacy from that kind Of
: patriotism which holds a nation up-which for.
r gotten, lets her fall into the common sepulchre o.
= departed empires?
This inordinate lust for wealth is to be depreca
ted, because it blunts the best sensibilities Of tht
e heart-dries up the fountains of human kindness
and destroys the healthy, invigorating actions 0
/ the mind. What would it avail Us though W.
should roof our houses with diamonds, and lin,
our halls with GOLD, if there was not within the SO
cal circle a %virtuous feeling and pure thought
e Does this money loving industry purify and emo
e Ole the soul-or does it lift the mind to the ineffa
BILE glory and majesty of the Eternal King o
worlds
u There is much more we might say upon THU
n subject, but must for the present forbear. 7,
K prevent misappreLension, however, we may re
f mark that we would not have the present age un
mindful of tho importance of wealth, but would
: have 1t exert due energy in its acquisition
{ Wealth in the hands of enlightened philanthropiC
o men, is a powerful mean in the improvement O
: morals and intellect, and is one Of the great lever,
by which society is raised TO its highest elevation
But we would not have it the controlling desire
Of the mind We would have it as a subordinate
instrument to one grand desire-the amelioratior
e OF me condition of man, and the consequent eleva.
uoI OF society. We would have it as one of the
isatteilItes which revolve in glorious harmony a
/ round the great sun ; but we would not have il
take the place of the great sun, for then the sys-
TEN would be broken, the music Of the spheres
AusEed.
~