Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-12-14
LECTURE.

The following Introductory Lecture,
delivered before the Young Mems Mer-
camille Library Association of Cincin-
matt, by Hon. HoRAcE MANN, contains
some truthful and instructive passages,
which every body should read. We
copy fnon the Cincinnati Gazette:
Mr.. President, and Gentlemen of the
Cincinnati Mercantile Library Associa-
tion,-Haying the honor to be invited
to deliver the. Introductory Lecture of
your ensuing Course, l have felt bound
to selecta topic more Immediately bear
ing upon your high interests and duties
as Merchants. You are brotherhood
of merchants, l am told that your
number exceeds $500, and that all your
active members either belong, or are
expecting to belong, to the mercantile
profession. Both from your number
and your social position, therefore, you
are body radiating strong influences.
A city is hive Of merchandise
Where access and transportation are
easy on one side and difficult on the
other, there nature makes the site of a
city, and men fulfill her commands
No matter whether it be like New York
or Chicago, with great oceans or mimic
oceans on one side and an immense re-
gion of back country on the other; or
like GAIA, with fertility on one side and
a desert on the other; at any place
where goods must be transhipped, there
buyer and seller will come to traffic;
there middle men, or merchants, will
come to negotiate between buyer and
seller; and by the gravitations of gain
or of dependence, will draw all voca-
tions and professions around them, and
will stimulate manufactures, agriculture !
and the mechanic arts throughout a
great circumference of territory
Every trader coming to this central
point, from whatever direction, brings
not his goods only, but his modicum of
intelligence, which She deposits in the
mercantile sensorium; and every one
who deposits goes away not only laden
with merchandise in his vehicle, but with
ideas in his mind. So that the mercan-
tile body pour out their views of men
and things along all the thoroughfares of
business, and thus help to determine
moral abuses not less than economize;
to decide what is bankable in character,
as well as what is bankable in currency,
and they cut mems thoughts and opin-
ions after city fashions, not less than
their garments Nov, it is the first les !
son in morals, that with great power
comes great responsibility oppor-
tunity to do great good or great evil.
The trade of ancient cities was very
much confined to special branches of
business. Tyre and Sidon traficked in
purple and fine linen, and in rich and
gorgeous stuffs of the East. The COM
merce of Corinth was a commerce of
Constantinople dealt
greatly in slaves. But in modern times
great cities trade in everything, and
hence attract and influence all classes of
men. The ancient cities of the earth
are ruined. Why? Because they vio-
lated the laws of morality, of political
economy, which is morality applied to
the arts of production, or, of national
wealth. Shall they be examples or bea-
cons for US? .--- ...... --..--- 49,
He then presented, formally, the sub
ject of his lecture-the consideration of
the policy and consequent condition of
the nation from which we are descended
Great Britain-the greatest CONNER
cial nation which history has heretofore
known. 1000 sr
He went into considerable detail as to
the condition of the manufacturing,
agricultural and mining population of
Britain--the efforts made by few to
ameliorate their condition-and the vast
amount of suffering and crime that still
which was drawn a
moral as to our own. 81. .si
He adverted to the wonderful change
which has come over the spirit of Eng
lish literature. A vast portion of the
wit and huinor of English literature,
since the time of Charles l, has consisted
in ridiculing the vices, crimes and igno-
rance of the poor. 1t is the foulest blot
onthe glory of Engiand's genius. Now.
the most popular writer in England is
Dickens, who draws his heroes and he
roines from the hovel and the aims
house, while Punch speeds bis sharpest
arrows at. rank and wealth, but never
laughs at the people.
One noble department of England,
not of modern origin, but long and hon.
orably descended, Imust not fail to COM
municate. l mean her mercantile hon
esty. They may spoliate India, but
they pay their notes. They may exer-
else power cruelty, but they do not cheat
widows and orphan depositors. Would
to God that, in this respect, we would
consent 80 be taught by our mother
There, the man who, instead of picking
pockets, or picking locks, borrows money
or acceptsit on deposit, knowing he can
not pay, or who engages in gambling or
hazardous speculation, where. if he
wins, the gain is all his own, but if he
losses, the loss is all thrown upon others,
is stamped. as he deserves to be, with
the brand of Gain-a brand that water
win not wash out, nor fire purge away,
n 81 IL Il