Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-11-12
PROGRESS OF LUXURY.

No one who loves his country can remain in
different to the progress of luxury, which cor
rupts the morals and enervates the manhood of
people, which engenders habits of idleness and
frivolity, and turns even industry into unprofit-
able channels. The progress ofluxury has been
the cause of national decay, in more than one
proud empire, and it is not safe for any people
to think themselves beyond its influence Its
entrance should be guarded against, with care,
and its progress should be watched with the
most anxious vigilance. Especially, should
those, whose fortunes place them above the ne
cesslty OF close economy set the example of
simplicity in their style of life and manifest their
profusion in benefactions to public Objects
Not that We would have the rich deprive them
selves of any of the rational enjoyments which
wealth can purchase; but we would have them
avoid that useless and hurtful ostentation in
dress, in equipage, in entertainments which con-
fer no benefit on those who can afford it and
which finds so many imitators in those who can
not
The introduction of luxurious habits, bv in
creasing the expenses ofhouse-keeping, discour-
ages marriage, and thus leads to long train of
immoralities, of the most serious character. 1t
breeds envy and discomfort, and destroys that
union of all classes, which is especially essential
to the support of republican institutions. 1t
makes wealth supercillious and poverty hostile
to the security of property. 1t is an unmixed
evil, and, it is the duty Of those who shape the
public policy, of those who direct the public
morals, and of those who influence public senti-
ment, to discourage every departure from the
simple manners of our fathers.
Ii any think that these remarks are inappca-
bic to this latitude, we ask them to mark the
change which has taken place in our communi-
ty-not geater, perhaps, than in the commune
ties around us-within a few years. All the in
creased comfort, and especially all the diffusion
OF comfort, may well be a matter of congratula-
ton; the countless inventions for the conven-
ience of dwellings, for the more healthful use
OF food for the lessened abuse Of medicine, all
those contrivances place within the reach of men
OF moderate means, the enjoyments which were
formerly confined to the rich, are sources of Just
congratulation; but all that is devoted to osten-
tation, to snowy furniture and gaudy equipage,
to display Of plate and to splendor in entertain
ments, is matter Of serious regret. 1t is low
order of enjoyment. 1t perverts and exhausts
the taste which would otherwise expend them
selves, in works of art, in books, in music, and
in things which have humanizing influence
And after all, those who indulge in this osten-
tation on a comparatively moderate scale, on
which alone it is possible for most men, even
those who are esteemed rich, must remember
with constant modification, that they cannot ap-
proach the few, who, in larger communities and
with greater means of folly, lead the fashion in
matters of this kind.
That display which has nothing but its ex-
pense to recommend it, will be constantly over
topped by new comers, bringing fresh accumu-
lations to waste upon the altars Of fashion,
The utmost limit of fashionable extravaganza in
provincial town, is not equal to the common
display of folly in New York, and does not ap-
proach, the dishable of Goodwood, and Blen-
helm, and Chatsworth; and even these are put
to shame by the countless retinues, and lavish
display, and the barbaric magni6cence of the east
ern nobles
How foolish, then, for the greatest fortunes
to attempt any such rivalry here. A republican
people should be distinguished by their elegant
simplicity, by their appreciation ofthe true value
of wealth, and by their knowledge of the true
mode Of life. Providence Journal.
IN c.