The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1857-03-14
For The Cecil Wing
Advantag es Of Poverty.


We have indeed ,livin" authority for rcgard
ing condition Of mcdiocrity in worldly af-
fairs as most conducive to virtue; yet this
docs not justify us in entertaining unfair and
erroneous views of either poverty or riches.
The disadvantages of poverty have been as
often exaggerated and misreprcsentcd as the
advantages of riches. There is often mis-.
placed and excessive sympathy for the poor
man. he is commiscrated for his unfortunate
condition. and even the vices and crimes of
the poor are cXtcnuatcd on account Of a false
estimate of the temptations to which his stu
alton exposes him. How often in the world S
history has poverty appeared as the stimulus
of thought, the mother fnoble enterprise, the
tnlisman to reveal the secret treasures of in
Hcnton and Imagination, in minds which
without it, would have slumbcrcd on. uncon-
scious Of their own resources. A condition
Of wealth and case is devoid Of those inccn-
tiycs to cxcrtion which are presented TO the
poor man. How often do we see the man of
action and enterprise, upon the attainment of
fair degree of wealth, retire in the prime of
life to condition Of inelorious sloth and in
difference: the world has lost the light of his
genius; his mind droops when restricted to
mere enjoyment; if he is really 10 live and act
noble part in the world it is necessary to
deprive him of his wealth and put him up to
the exercise of his own ingenuity and ability
in gaining living.
The Poet Wordsworth, when speaking of
the carly training of one Of the heroes of the
Excursion, brings out in very beautiful and
effective language the idea we wish to enforce
"And every moral feeling of his soul
Strengthened and braced by breathing in content
The keen. the wholesome air of poverty.
And drinking from the well of homsly life
1t is often argued that the poor, especially
when they are Of the weaker sex, ought not
to be blamed for falling into vice. 1t is said
not to be the fault of their hearts but of their
stomachs. In our humble Judgment, it is
not poverty-not want. which so often drives
men and women to vice, as it is one Of the
two principles of Incidence and Pride, which
so often accompany poverty. In this coun-
try, we are fain to believe, there are few
pairs of hands which, in some employment
and in soine locality cannot fiEd enough to
do to earn tolcrablc living 1t is because
men and women lack the moral principle to
prefer any honest employ ment, however hum
bic, to their own ease, or to their own con-
colt nf what 10 lilo orH h,co,u;no
When men prefer to be indolent organ-grind-
ers and monkcy-carriers rather than sweep
ers of streets or honest ploughmen, when
women NEW themselves in dark unwllolesome
chambers and wear out their finger ends, their
nerves, and their souls over the incassant
needle for most meagre support. because
they think it more gcntecl than tho whole
some and stirring occupations Of the house
maid, who never wants for food or clothing.
what wonder that vice should be the frequent
result : The slothful poor man may need to
steal, and the virtue of the proud but famish-
cd needlewoman, may fall an easy prey to
the tempter with his golden bait, but those
who are not afraid Of hard work aud who
shun no decent way Of making a living. will
almost always be found rising out Of their
low condition, with one foot already upon the
ladder of advancement lifted above the power
of these temptations, strengthened and braccd.
not overcome by the keen and wholesome air
1fpoycrty. DloHENEs.