Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-10-25
Energy Of Character.

Through the whole extent Of our country the
field of labor is broad, It's harve8ts certain, and
its laborors are romunerated. But to make
living and especially to secure q fortune, man
must be wide awake. lie must have definite
plans, and must execute those plans with until
ring energy. lie must not allow himself to be
diverted from his object by the allurements of
pleasure, or the seductions of ease. There must
be steady purpose, and thut purpose must be
pursued in an energetic manner The only real
differences between men in She business world
is, that s)m9 are energetic, while others are
not and the latter often waste moro time in
repining oyor the misfortunes of their lot, than
would be required to make themselves comfort
a0lc if not wealthy. 10 the young the habit
Of conquering difficulties by renewed energy is
invaluable Later in life, after having been *
posed to the trials and sorrows of the world,
they find it difficult to acquire the necessary en-
ergy to succeed. But if they cultivated this
habit in their early life, it becomes fixed, as
second nature, and from an energetic youth
they form a persoyering and successial man
hood. The energy Of t New England char
actcr is everywhere admitted and welcomed
throu ghout the Union. 1t builds railroads and
steamboats,, opens mineral localities, nayigates
streams, hitherto deemed urapproa chablo, tun.
ncls mountains and rivers, clears forests, organ
izes States and founds Aourishing communities
Such is the effect of New England energy
abroad. While those who migrate from among
as are developing the resources of the country
to an incalculablo extent, what are our people
at home doing to vndcato their title to this
important clement of character? s. far as sue
cess in life is concerned it matters little how
much ability 4 man may possess If energy is
wanting. A pound Of energy with an ounce Of
talent is far better than pound Of talent with
only an ounce Of energy. Indeed, to the list
less man. talent is often IN incumbrance. 1t
makes him dilident, where courage is required,
and Judging from the success of Others that
they possess transcendant abilities, he is apt to
underrate his own ,quaiif, ttlons,> which, if
combined with proper energy, would place him
ahead of all his competitors. Superior energy,
not superior talent, is the secret of all the vast
acquisitions among us. Look where you will,
the successful men are not those who possess the
most talent, but they are invariably of energy,
who have all their lives devoted themselves with
untiring energy and assiduous application to
the pursuit which has made them wealthy
Others by pursuing the same course may attain
the same end But it will be of no use for q
young man to congratulate himself upon his SUI
perior abilities, if he does not put those abili-
tics into energetic action. We would say to
the journeymen, who complain Oh account of
the number of hours per day which they are
obliged to work, and the lowness Of their wages
rise as fast as possible into the ranks of the
master workmen. This will give them the prof
its of their work, and enable them to accumu-
late something for that period Of life when they
will be incompetent to do full days work.
We would give the same advice to clerks and
apprentices. Make yourselves masters of the
business you are prosecuting as fast as you
can. AS soon as you are qualified, engage in
business on your own account, You will then
be your own masters, your energies will be call
cd out in their utmost intensity, and you will
thereby exchange life of servitude and power
ty for one of comparative independence and
competence. Content is an admirable thing
but to be content with merely making money
enough to supply present wants is no mark o
wisdom. The prudent man in prosperity and
health will provide the means to protect him
self against adversely and sickness If he omit
to do this under any pretext whatever, h'
makes himself burden to society and an en-
cumbrance to his friends We say to all, then
cultivate energy of character, and see to it tina
you make the best of your abilities, and there
by increase your own usefulness and happiness
and contribute your share to the general vel
fare of the world in which you live.