Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-09-26
rHx DEoE1rrULNEss OF R1cHEs.

A desire for riches, it not innate is at least
one OF the earliest and easiest developed, and
difficult to be repressed of all human passions
Ii is often foresbadowed among the first signs
ofintelligeuce in the infant mind 1t grows,
too. with lis gnowth, and strengthens with its
strength. With very few exceptions, Ethis IS
the great motive power in all the busy pursuit
Of life. I his ii is, more than anythrg else
that drives all the machinery OF trade, Of art
and commerce, and Of every industrial pursuit.
II mere sustenance was the object pursued, then
AS with the savage, a supply of present want
would relax all energy till hunger again a
reused US to actian. We should see nothing
81 cnIcrprise-Roihing OF that severe, patient,
protracted toll that now marks the industry of
tho age
IL is not sustenanee, then, but competence,
that men seek. And BY competence is meant
wealth. That which viii lift its possesscr a
bove the necessity OF daEy toll, aud give him
something like an assured support--if not
without labor, at least with only moderate ex-
srtion. The amount necessary TO secure this,
will OF course depend upon the varied tastes,
habits and circumstances of individuals. W hat
would make one man independent for life,
would not furnish, much lcss bnild a hous for
another. The phantom. then, that men every
where purSue, aud which is renewed in an eud-
less cycle from age to age. is that iancied con-
dition that win place them not only above
present want, but assure them against its ia
biliiy in the future. AS well might we attempt
TO grasp the FainbeW, OF the fitting shadow,
rs TO attain point at which the mind will rest
satisfied with earthly possessions. AS riches
increase, not only are they increased that eat
them, but usually our habits and tastes and
aspirations change even faster than means ~
crease 10 crafty them. The style that quite
satisfied US with an income of twenty dollars a
month, will not at all comport with thirty or
fifty, much less with Eve hundred or thous-
and Nor is this all--fhe desire 10 accumu-
late almost invariably grows with success
Unlike every other appetite, the more it is fed
the more insatiate il becomes. And this not
in the ardent, hopeFql, and impatient season OF
youth merely, but in the more mature and eau
1ious period Of manly vigor; and even down 10
fottering old age, when almost every other de-
sire is borne down under the burden of years
and groping in6rmiiiee. this desire for gain
maintains its Ihrohc jn the heart in unabated
vigor.
Within proper limits, and under proper re-
sIraints, this principle is both proper and ra
tional Such is our constitution, and such the
relations We sustain TO the present life. Sonlt
provision must be made for our constantly re
curing Ranis. Allowing that many Of thest
are imaginary, many of them are also real. L
is also true that no one can fOresee the conlin-
gencies that lie hid in the future. Hence. :
reasonable provision for these contingencies il
not only proper, but even obligatory whcr
practical. The point Of difficulty is TO decid,
between the claims Gf Present duty TO others
and our own possible aud probable necesstie
in tha future,