Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-10-11
MISCELLANEOUS READING.
INTELLECT uersus MONEY.

AaS S'SA- ClCoulc odLCIsC, Oh ehO oeh ~
slant, had on its usually genial face an arti-
Gle copied from the Baltimore American.
headed AMERICAN ARIsTocRAcY," which,
accustomed as we are to the elevated teach
ings of our daily visitor, We could only con-
clude was allowed the space which from long
usage belonged of right to more ennobling
thoughts, for the purpose of eliciting re-
ply from some friend of truth. Let me es-
say the task:
In this nineteenth century, with all the
lights of religion and history blazing upon
the truth that Intellect and Principle are
the great levers which operate successfully
in all human associations, is the proof to be-
upliited that would strike from our sltars
the lovely images Of Purity, Integrity, Intel
lect and whatsoever things are lovely and OF
good report" and in their stead place crown
ed statues of unworthy passions? Shall the
fend robe himself in garments of light, and
at the very hearth-stone, where, with prayers
and tears, we have endeavored to train our
little ones for usefulness and honor here, and
happiness hereafter, rend from their tender
minds those helps which every christian mo-
ther plants with so willing and anxious
hand? These, your mothers teachings, are
but nursery tales, and idle lulabys. Laugh
ut them, and as you grow older, be bold and
bad if you please, so that you gather those
yellow toys which are now denied you for
your good, and you shall be loved and honor
ed and happy?
| Shall our madens, innocent and guileless
MS they have grown to womanhood, surround
ed by all the sweet influences by which, in
every age, woman has maintained her won
derous power over society, and stimulated
the strong arm of man to strike one vigorous
| blow after another in science, art, literature
| and all that elevates our race,--shall these
be robbed Of the halo which surrounds them,
and in place of their delicate garlands OF
dewv fragrance shall the destroyer decorate
them with the foul weeds of artifce, misan.
thropy and guile, bidding them plunge into
the filthy pool, upon which they have looked
with fear and y prayer for deliverance,-
for there alone they shall find respectability
| and influence? And our sons as they ad-
vance 10 the battle of life, their minds stored
with the precepts of the good and great who
have preceded them in the field, Whose
names have become watchwords with those
who aspire to the all.conquering greatness
of tegrity--shall each let fall the arm,
which, in the devotion of his heart and mind
to the cause Of Justice and humanity he has
uplifted, and feel all the lofty aspirations of
his soul wither, Us he is reminded that all
the virtues which may crown man with
glory and honor, are outshone by the glare
of the metallic charms that glitter on the
person of some half idiotic or besotted son of
plutus? And oh! Sacred Fame of National
Honor and Patriotism, where the giants OF
craftsmanship have raised their voices in
tones which have reached the ear If remotest
civilization. thy walls, too, must be invaded
and thy devotees named by name which IL
the odium of the brute creation.
But is there even an appearance OF truth
in the argument of the article referred to
| If gold is, even to the vilest and most sordid
OF men, 1.-The one grand OBJ biect of human idol
utry," why do such, involuntarily and often
unconsciously, yield their poor but best hom-
age to some great mind or ennobled nature,
which never owned or sough hit to claim more
of this worlds goods than was absolutely
necessary to physical existence? and why Is
q kind of abhorrent pity, for the man or wo.
man who is SO unhapplly clrcumstanced IS
to have inherited, with much of worldly store,
mind incapable Of lofty sympathies, and
character as unlovely as its possessor is un-
enviable?
Why do the victims of monied idleness.
who have etched out line by line, the image
of their Maker and stamped their faces with
the likeness Of the brute,-why do they
shrink and COVER in the presence of virtue
and intelligent refinement, and seek for the
time to brush up their remembrance OF per-
sonal dignity:
From the days of Solomon to the present
hour, who have been in greater repnte, or
given to their possessor that power among
men which could sway their passions and
bend their wills TO the creation or demolition
of such wondrous things as strike us with
profound admiration for their prowess,
'.wisdom and understanding" or, las mere
boarded treasure) all the coins that were
ever stamped with heimage of "Cnsar" or
any other sovereign? And who are the lead"
iug men of this and every other country:
Are they the milionaires or even those who
can count their wealth by thousands? No.
1t seems on the contrary, TO be an inyarlable
rule that influence should be separated from
money,--not AS a necessity, but from the
simple fact that a man cannot give the at
tentlon which commands success to any
broad and thorough mental pursuit. and ut
the same time, save in a limited degree, 10
the accumulation and profitable management
Of dollars and centS.
We do heartily believe TINT to attend TO
the necessities Of his household is among L
mans first duties, and that to make such
reasonable provision for future contingencies
AZ to afford protection and comfort for him
self and those who are dependent upon him,
j, wise and prudent; but, as wife, mother,
sister and friend save us from the teachings
which would induce us to believe that in our
beloved America (around whose shores may
protecting angels ever hover } from every bo-
som is driven the divine spark, and in every
heart golden calf set up for alteration or
that virtue, worth, honor, goodness and intel,
lgence have lost their talismantic power, ana
glare and glitter, and paltry parade are !ne
spells by which the genius OF our Soc'a' III
sfi,utions net MARY G. JOHNSON.
Alex, King ST., Oct. Sth, 1861.
Oyp Uyy roo MASY.-ln one of the Brit
| ;Sh colonies a competitive examination was
lately held for the purpose OF appointing mt
| norsous to some OF the government Othces.-