Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-05-10
SELF-MADE MEN.

probability by their own hands, In this country es
peeialy has this disposition manifested itself from
| the days of Roger Sherman and BENJAMIN Franklin
! until now and the "selfmade men of the Colo
MES and of the earlier days of the Republic are
among the brightest and pures stars in the heaven
of our history.
North Carolina may also boast her distinguished
self-made men--such John Stanly and Henry
Seawell among the dead, and David S. Reid, Asa
Biggs, Edwin G. Reade, William H. Thomas, N w.
Woodtin, John A. Gilmcr, and others among the
living. When we speak of selfmade men we mean
those who without the aid of wealth or good means
of educaton-such afforded by High Schools
and Coleges-have risen to distinction as politicians
or as mel of letters having educated themselves as
they could find or make opportunities to do So 1t
does not follow, because man who began life poor
becomes rich through his exertons, that he is
a self-made man. He is only rich, and may be no
man at ALL Such men, it is true, generally
tul citizens and always energetic and industrous
but no man can be truly said to be made who has
neglected his mind to take of his dollars. Nor
does it follow that is selfmade because he can
harangue crowd, or because, having gone into poll
tics he has attained notorety and been perhaps
for Congress or for Governor A self-made man will
not only write but speak his mother tongue correct
ly; and if he should aspire to high posts, and in
seeking such posts should expose his ignorance, it
will not do for him to plead early difficulties and
early poverty excuse. He ought rather to ad
nit that he is not yet made, step aside cultivate his
intellect awhile to the neglect of his dollars and then
try again. There some, however, upon whom
all the efforts of the best teachers would be thrown
away-who too dull to learn, and yet so immod-
est, nlpudent as to claim whatever consideration
is due to those who scholars and statesmen.
Those to whom we have referred in this article,
and sclf.madc men. John Stanly was
finished and most impressive orator. and Judge Sea-
well was able jurst and of the first criminal
lawyers of his day. Their carly difficulties
great but they bravely struggled with and cvercamc
them. And so of the living whom we have named.
They do not commit ridiculous mistakes, indulge in
vulgar expressions and murder the Queen s English
generally, and then apologize by pleading the lack
of early |" cdicaton. " If men acW aspire, let them
at least be the equals in respect besides that of
physical strength, of those with whom they con-
tending for distinction an able-bodied is we'll
enough in his place, but really sclfmade man is
not to be found every day and run for Governor.
e@We arerequested to state that the Cape Fear
and Deep Rirer Navigation Company DESTROYS
to borrow Immediately, to carry their works to
speedy completion, the sum of twenty thousand dol
lars. The bonds will be made payable in the City
of New York, five years after date, bearing seven
per cent. interest the interest payable in the
place sena-annually and the bonds will be endors
ed by eight gentlemen who represented as being
worth in the aggregate at least two hundred thou
sand dollars. The of these gentlemen have |
been placed in possession ; we know them to be
men of wealth and high integrity, and we have no
doubt the investment would be entii ely safe. It's
advantage-and inconsidcrabe one it ISIS that |
the bonds can be obtained at par will bear !
per cent. interest and the interest will be payable
semi annually in New York. /
We sincerely trust this effort on the part of the |
Company to raise the necessary means to complete |
this important work. will be successful.
- We should be under many obligations if any |
one of our Wing contemporaries would direct our at |