Weekly Trinity journal., 1862-12-06

THE SPIRIT OF SPECULATION. National traits
of character are developed in diff. rent modes
and by various mans among he individuals Of n
commnniv Each man or each class of men NAV
BE- rAcd by p'cnlar form Of the same dom
uant passion which pervadcs an empire, aud
/ shapes The destiny Of a nation.
/ The prominent feature in onr national mind is
the talent for acquisition the highest aspiration
Of our soul is after wealth. There is growing
contempt for plodding industry and means Of
gradual accumulation. Though the degrees of
insanity on the subject of acquiring wealth are
very numerous, varying with the Temperament
and Circumstances Of the udivdnnl, there seems
to be "A very general conviction that the noblrst
end of man is to grow Immensely rich in the
shortest possible time; and then casing from all
labol-saving the efnrt tn annhiate tmp-to
loungr in luxurious ease through the remainder
Of his mortal career.
Few men know what " competence" " and " con
t'utmeut y mean; fewer still know or desire to
know the blessings VIII ich accompany life of in
dusty. Work is regarded only aS the thorny
path to the paradise Of wealth that attanrd
labor dwiudlrs at once into low aud groveling
necessity. happily rid Of, and gladly forgotten
As matter of course the only way TO the covet
ed lrpasure is "sp,culdtion." The wnlchword
is, buy everything much below its real value and
sell it for ten times that amount.
Young men who are Just entering upon the
journey Of life, should shun all speculative or
hap huZaId methods of making living, and
avoid cnticing Investments, which offrr exorbi
iant interest for heir savings. The invitations
to success fnl sprcuntions are dangerous, numpr
Gus as they are striving with each other in their
cag"r competition to lay hands on other peoples
money their very cagernpsS aud their surpriS-
ing Inducements are perhaps their worst rccom-
mrudalion. Dishonesty aud fraud too often lark
beneath the spacious phanlhrophy which glows
in every line Of their adveI tiSrments.
Perhaps. although the usury laws may be an
liqnat, d. absurd aud lujust as they are often
commodity only money-lhry might if unvrr.
sally respected, accomplish a great deal Of good
by lettering young men from plausible and de-
luslvc methods of gain. Integrity and industry
are the true sources Of substantial and abiding
wealth and should be maintained with constant
care and devotion. 1t has been truly said
"Nhen a man takes more pleasure in earning
money than in spending it, he has taken the first
step towards wealth )" but the money should be
earned, not won.
Above all things Young man, shun idleness-
Search for some kind of honest employment do
not luitcF about the streets esChtw the nccupa-
tion Of " lOafrr" Remember the waning Of
the Roman philosopher " llnminps nihil agrndO,
discount male agcre." If the times are hard and
it is difficult to fair wages, still keep busy,
give your labor for less than its value, rather
than sink into dleness. BE careful to keep your
mind employed on something useful aud honor
able ; do not let it be laid mp 10 spoil, for like
polished steel. il keeps its brightness only by
constant rubbing, but with disuSe it will be con
sumcd by its own Phaadelphia Dal.