Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-08-07
w E A L T H

ALMOST everybody assents 10 the om'
impotence of the "almighty dollar."-
Here in New England, especially, it
seems 10 be the exclusive god Of our
idolatry. In the attainment Of this we
are in earnest while in almost everything
else, we are comparatively Indifferent.
Some OF US attain tho desidera!um,
while others struggle for years, and at
last descend 10 their graves without ev'
er having in possession even q compe'
tcnce.
Still, there are some who have be.
come wealthy. A few of these have re.
ccived their property by inheritance
fewer still, by. their social relations
while the larger number have become
wealthy by their own cxerlions. Spec
lators who behold the glitter Of wealth
lament that they themselves are deprived
of similar means; but hardly one asks
himself the question, whether for the
amount he covets, he would surrender
the equanimity, the independence, the
comfort, at the sacraGce Of which wealth
is almost always sure TO be attained =?
The man who becomes wealthy
through his own efforts, is seldom or
never in a condition 10 derive comfort
from his acquisitions. His money has
cost so much toll and trouble that he
over.values it. He will not part with
enough to make himself comfortable
because he fears he may get into habi
of extravaganza, and he is in perpetual
fear that by losses or disasters he may
be brought TO want.
The man who inherits his fortune, as
general rule, errs in an opposite d.
reclion. Not having laborcd Tor hi
money, he sets too low value upon it
While he increases his expenditures t'
meet the enlarglns demands of his fam
lily, he forgels that he has perhaps bu
poo, business capacities, and that he i
consuming his capital. After awhile
in the absence Of an annual income ade
ouale to meet his current expenses. h
J finds that if he would protect himsel
from poverty he must economze. II
econo oMize He cannot do it. His ex
: penditures have been graduated upo
The desires of his family rather than ur
on his ability TO discharge them. hi
> social position depends upon his keeT
:, = ing up appearances. He has not III
moral courage 10 tell the world that h
can take a position within his means
: He therefore goes on regardless Of II
fulure--and fually winds up banl
.. rupt.
v The man who attains wealth by ma
J. J. riage is another example Of faulty whit
.e attends this universal struggle {
Is wealth. He perhaps attains his end b
= women who bring the larger share Of Il
!, i, pecuniafy capital into the conjuSal ur
III on, are not always the most agreeab
II, II, welded companions. In many su
-, y. cases the wife has bought her husbar
10 y, and the husband is most decidedly SO
u, u He is but the fixture 10 splendid este
a. lishment, the slave Of caprice, and
10 a. automation of woman's whims. h
T. !. fortune has cost too much.
NJ Nc But however acquired, wealth seldt
10 10 performs what it promises. lis ex,err
II" Nv glitter soon pals upon the scenes
" the vanity which prompted its purs
~, soon becomes satiateJ by its possessl
80 -, So far from being favorable to a pro-
'ei ei development Of mind or true social &C
~. -. fort, it is found to be corroding in its
esS nJ lects both upon the head and the he
,n "u Its true use is as a stimulus 10 exertl
~" ~ Property enough to protect US when s
h,. I% or out OF Employment, but not emo
.aI III to allow us to live in Incidence, is
10. ;,a ter than wealth. A competence is
10 sirable, and should be aimed at
70 every one. But after competence
usJ been secured, to waste one s energies
,Iva Iva ,iale ones mind by an absorbing ct
liz LIZ for wealth, is anything but indicativ
b.r a sound understanding.
the -