Smyrna times., 1857-10-14
O,ts' Correspondence.
Written for the Smyrna Timss.
Hard Times.


Hard times and we'll they may be. There
are, for one thing, so many people of the oyster
kind snugly ensconced in their Shells doing
nothing, save now and then to open and Ike in
such food as nature or habit may crave; and
totally unconcerned about the comforts or mis-
cries of their fellows. Oysters, it is true, cost
nothing in the feeding, and are of some service
IN their way but men of their selfish charac-
ter are charges and nuisances in society.
Others again are yulturee, that live by ra-
pine, and never dream of giving for what they
take. A few of this species may be tolerated
10 the world. They sometimes render service
by the removal of the carcases of slain beasts
while the loss of lamb or some other small
too numerous they would be a plague and pest
in the world. Men of this sort, harpies we may
call them, are in these days altogether too nu-
merous. Would the reader know who they are!
They are all who live by devices that add moth
ing to the public weal-all who live by putting
taxes on anything that we buy, while they add
nothing to its value, and do nothing to facili-
tate its coming to our hands. A plain instance
is the forestaller of provisions and a real in
stance is every mere speculator. The mer-
chant or broker, whether of money or produce,
while facilitating needful commerce, is of ano-
ther character, and may be as useful as in COM
mon branches of industry. But the man who
buys to-day, merely for the sake of selling at
a higher price tomorrow, and with no inten-
tion of rendering any species of service, is
therein bad man, and is always helping to
bring on bad times. No man deserves the
credit of godness or will ultimately do other
than harm to society, who does not, while seek |
ing the supply of his own wants, look also to
the good of the community. Let the two OBJ
jects coincide, and all goes on well but wher-
ever the welfare of our fellows is disregarded |
in our enterprise, there we become virtually
robbers and real pests among men. AT the
very best, we live upon the earnings of others
aud give nothing in return. That the thief, or
point of view, could tot easily be shown.
So much for two classes who help TO bring on
bad times. Ofotllers may speak hereafter.
OF none, however, would / speak without
sympathy. The oyster kind are to be pited.-
They know nothing of true good They never
rise to the dignity of human beings. Will
they listen to a word of advice! Come out,
and seek the good of others. You will find it
far more satisfactory for the present, and far
more safe for the future. The man who does
good, has friends and the day of adversely they
will rally round him. He has paid premiums !
as good as those of insurance on property or 9
life, and his Investments will be good for him- !
self and family.
To men of the other class would say, you =
have greatly mistaken the true scheme Of life, b
in assuming that you can fairly live and even b
grow rich without performing real service to
your fellow-men. Your interests can never be =
secured apart from theirs. Give something in 81
exchange for all you take. If by the purchase
IT provisions on their way to market, you can
lelp the producer, and not injure the consumer; 81
'r if you can facilitate the supply of the pur- NJ
;haser's wants, and not do injustice to the farm h
II or truckman, step in and get your reward is
Otherwise look to some other mode of opera r.
ion for your daily bread, or your increase in te
wealth. To the mere speculator l can only Ii
nggest, turn to some kind of activity that will
eneft others as we'll as YOURSELF otherwise
Ood men vote you nuisance and pray for its
batement. C.. ~