Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-07-30
Let Me be Quickly Rich.

The prayer vi most young men Is Let me
be quickly rich" Few seem to be satisfied
to become SO by the once-honored mode OF
industry and economy practlced by our an
cestors. Oi the thousands who make the
efforts, lew become quickly rich, and lever
remain so. But the story o those who prove
successful, with fabulous additions, spreads
with telegraphic speed, and infames the
ers, aud they long to become quickly rich,
Forgetting, or not regarding, the tate Of the
unsuccessful, their whole energies are direc-
ted to the rapid accumulation oil a fortune.
They valnly Imagine that the possession OF
wealth, and living in a style common with
many who have suddenly acquired ii conlers
happiness without alloy, although experience
has everywhere demonstrated the lalacy oil
all such expectations. Man is so conslItu-
ed that employment is necessary Tor his
health and happiness. He who devotes his
energies TO his business to secure livIihood
is Tar happier than him whose sole employ
ment is caring for and protecting wealth,
while no system of measuring merit, can
prove the latter more honorable or noble.
A false and highly injurious notion il wide
ly prevailing the public mind, that honor
and happiness flow IRON wealth, and that
the want OF it igdicates d!shonor and misery.
This lalaciuus theory has led to more mis-
fortune, suffering. and disgrace than wealth
ever prevented. 1t induces men TO engage
in the widest adventures, and to hazard
not only their own accumulated earnings
but those of others, as far as subject to their
| ln ,Dt in, II
successful.
The effort to become quickly rich, is the
great cause of The frauds upon merchants by
their clerks, and many Of their customers
and upon banks and corporations by theiI
officers and employees. They are not content
to follow the path trod by Astor Girard, ,and
others, and TO rise to fortune by industry
and The pursuit OF business, directed witt
skill and intelligence. They forget that As
tor commenced his commercial career b,
carrying his stock upon his back, exclang.
ing 1t Tor furs; and that regular business
skill ully managed, conducted i'm to his i'm
mense fortune. They do not remember thai
Girard, from cabin boy on vessel, be
came first a small ship-grocer, and by un
remitting attention and great sagaciiy accu
mulated his millions. They only recolec
. them as millionaries. They wish to approach
or rival them in their accumuations withou
subjecting themselves to the toll, physica
and mental, necessary to accomplish the re
, suit desired. Girard once made remarl
which is worthy of much reflection. A youn,
! man had been offered salary which h
} thought too small, as he could lay up but
3 limited sum after paying his expenses. Cir
9 are replied, 81 labor far harder than you
D having all this property 10 manage and TAX
, care of, and all shall ever have ont of i
n my victuals and Clothes" Out of his mill
! ions all he enjoyed was comprised in thes
: two items.
t Men are most happy when engaged il
Y business, and are most likely to perform al
i the duties OF good citizens in the most ac
: ceptable manner. OF course they are graf
n flied it il prove successful, so that il ma
: guard them and their families against wan
n If well and skilhully conducted most kind
X of business lead TO independence and CON
n petence, which tend TO happiness; wherea
: the mere possession Of wealth, except wit
d the sordid mIser, never conlers happine.
,; npon mankind. Those who become su,
Y denly rich lose oil the reput alton derive
from conducting successful business.