Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-01-10
A CHAPTER ABoUTFAsT MEN.

A CHAPTER ABOUTFAsT MEN.
fast man. according 10 the latest def
milton Of the term, is mau who advances at
an unusual, and unnatural rate Of speed or, a
man who is OF a very nervous temperament,
aud whose great aim is reiocity in whatever he
undertakes to accomplish. Whether he eats,
drinks, sleeps, or works, speed is the grand
motive power. But We all know that when
any kind Of machinery is forced beyond GER
tain point it breaks down. The intricate and
wonderful framework of man will also break
in some part II II be kept too long and TOO hard
Pat work. The man who eats too fast, or drinks
too mach, injuies only himself. The man
who resolves that he will take short road to
gain riches without regard to the moral code
which governs society, sesously Injuries honest
men and the public. This class Of fast men
are dangerous and to this class We intend to
devote few remarks.
The public are startled and asionshed when
any of these fast men are proved to be great
rascals, and wonder how their career of crime
could be concealed from the eyes of their neigh
The speed, the dash the glitter, the dazzle,
and fine show, blinded them SCHUYLER and
Huntngion-Redpaih and Robson--were fast
men, aud they deceived everybody by the very
boldness and blaze of their magnificent style
People gazed and wondered and worshpped
these artfu pecnlaiois OF honest mems goods
The criminal records Of England and Amer
lea during the last twelve months, show an ex-
traoldinary number of cases of bold peculation.
The peculaiors have, in almost every instance,
commenced their early life nuder favorable cir
cumstances, and have gradually advanced TO
responsible and advantageous stations of profit
and comfort to themselves. But their restless
ambition TO initiate the solid men of society,
and attain position far beyond their own
merits and means, has induced them to meddle
with new schemes which they fooshly sup
posed would lead them rapidly onward 10
wealth and honor The miserable termination
of their wild and reckless career should serve
as a solemn warning, but how soon are their
names and their crimes forgotten The arrest,
the trial, and the sentence. are scarcely re-
inc nbered after the mammoth cylinder press
has faithfully told the story and ceased its di-
umal eyouiious Their names and their
deeds should not, however, be forgotten. Let
US look back over period of only a few
months and see how many bold operators in
England, as well as America, have dashed
recklessly onward, destroying themselves and
also the happiness and prosperity of their nu
mcrous victims
The names of Sadier and Paal occur first
! TO our mind. The former was a member of
Parliament and the latter was nobeman.
They had enjoyed the best Eng glish society, and
had high reputation for integrity, liberaliiy
and ability Of talents. Both aimed 10 occupy
a position which their incomes, though large,
could not sustan and both sunk into disgrace.
Sadier perpetrated frauds 10 the amount of
! several hundred thousand pounds sterling on
banks, railway companies and other institutions,
10 enable him 10 keep up princey mansion
in ireland and another in London. When he
ascerianed that his frauds were discovered, and
T. that officers were in pursuit of him, he retired
f to the garden of an inn at Hampstead Heath,
: and there took poison, aud died terribly pain
iul death. His nerves of steel had worked
pliantly in bad cause many years, but they
would not continue to work against the power
ful indignation of society at his crimes.
j Sir John Paul was for long series of years
e at the head of the old established banking
f house Of Paul, Straihan & Bates. lie was a
o member of the church of Englald-was presi-
l dent OF several charitable insi,u,lons-an in-
j fluenlial presiding officer at most of the relg-
lous and benevolent associations held at Exeter
. Hail. and elsew here in London, and conlribut-
e ed money literally on all occasions. Retired
II merchants, tradGsmen, clergymen, widows and
II orphans, had funds deposited in his bank.
y These funds were appropriated from time 10
5 time by Sir John for his own use. Ills pecu-
e a,ions were discovered, and Paul. Slrahan q
d Bates were arrested and tried at the Old Bailey.
d Justice, in England, hath not the slightest re-
d spect for persons. The slern hand of the law
falls with an equally hard grip upon an aged
and proud nobleman, as upon the ragged thief
of ST. Giles. Much sympathy was manifested
for SIrahan and Bates, aud it was generally
II believed that they were the innocent victims OF
. their partners guilt; but they were unable to
{ prove that their accouIt hooks were not open
% at all times for their inspection, and The three
: bankers were found guilty and sentenced to be
~ y, transported 10 a penal colony for long term
u of wears. This stern sentence was great
Is shock to the venerable Sir John Paul, and his
g large circle of distinguished friends But JUS
10 tice must protect society.
ID We regret that our limits to-day will not al
low us to give a longer sketch OF the fast mer
ID both of England aud America. The subject i'
. one that is attracting good deal of attention
)" Just now, and we shall recur 10 ii again soon
-BoSton ledger.