The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-03-29
SELF-MADE MEN.

AS general thlng the world has a high appre-
citation of the merit, worth and importance of what
it is pleased to term " self-made men, meaning
those who, from comparatively obscure position
In society, have, by their own native intellect and
indomitable will, to position of influence and
honor This, of course, is right and proper. The
youth that contends against the disadvantages of
poverty and humble position, and scornng the low
desires of the vicious throng, rises, by his own
exertious, to honor and usefulness. deserves all
the praise the world has to bestow. This point is
not attained, however, by lstless desire; it re-
wards those only who with energy and never
ceasing labor contends for the mastery-every hour
employed, every day some new truth learned
here paragraph read and understood, there
problem solved-are the steps that lead to fame
But, while admiring this character, persons, and
especially young men, are too apt to forget one
great fact in this connection, viz: that all men,
who are made at all, are selfmade. OF course, we
do not speak now particularly of wealth; for man
may be born rich and still never be more than
pigmy either in intellect or moral influence. Cyrus
not styled I" the great" because he possessed
the wealth of his captive Creasus, but because he
rose from being the imputed son of shepherd to
be the monarch of the Medo-Persian Empire.
Nor did Alexander or Napoleon mark their names
indellibly upon the worlds history by simply
handing the channels of al abundant revenue.
1t is true, man of wealth possesses certain kind
of influence even though he be fit for nothing but
"go-between" tool for designing men; but
such influence is shallow and short-lived-and it
is we'll for the world that it is So A young man
of wealth starting out in the world, has only the
advantage of better facilities for enrolling his name
among the wise, good and great; but unless he has
that Unborn will and force Of characteristic germ
of true greatness-he will not only fail of the de-
sired goal but his MEANS in too many instances,
will open the way to innumerable evils, and throw
ing the reins upon the neck of his appetites and
passions he glides swiftly along
''Where the of riot flow
Down the loose stream of false, enchanted joy,
To swift destruction
1t is very seldom that nature manufactures
genius out Of an INDECENT man-perhaps never. It
requires work-work physical and mental, constant
and never-tiring work-to accomplish anything
good great. In this country, to have noble an
cestors or to be born rich not the only passports
to eminence and greatness; but integrity and hon
csty of purpose, morality, and mental cultivation
whether such cultivation be obtained in College
or by the midnight cannot fail to raise their
possessor to his proper level Of influence with the
world for, in truth, the world cannot do without
him. And in proportion as these are pressed for
ward with vigor and energy, will the man rise to
greatness and usefulness In this see the force
and beauty of the aphorism, that
sHonor and fame from condition rise;
Act well your part, their all the honor lies
The young man who has wealth, has but the
tools made and sharpened to his hand with which
to cut his way up the mount of fame; if he is lack
ing in either the disposition or ability to use those
tools properly, he never ascends; while he who
possesses the ability and the WILL without the tools,
originates other means, calls forth untred and
hitherto unknown powers of mind and body, and
forces passage to glory and renown.