Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-03-12
The Folly Of Iearlirg up Property for Children

made near the close of his protracted HE
that, among the rich men Of New Haven,
at that time, not one was rich at the time
he first went there, nor one who was the
son of rich man. Within thetime Of his
recollection, the property Of the city had
entirely shifted hands. Men had in the
meantime acquired great riches, had died
and their sons were spending it with scarce
" an exception; in many cases, fortunes
gotten since he went there had been
already spent by the sons who had
become poor, often degraded; while
the sons of poor men, especially the
educated ones, were as generally on the
highway to fortune. GLOW humiliating
the thought remarks President Dwight,
..that even the sons Of these Istter are an-
ticipating a fine time ahead over the prop-
erty Of their rich fathers.
1t is natural and right that parents
should love their children, and labor for
them; but how to do the most good for
them is a question, the answer of which
widely differs from the practice Of men.
1t is not the practice to disinherit sons, nor
is it advisable, yet to leave them to start
in the routine Of life without dollar would
be to bless them and to insure their pros
perity as a general thing. Indeed, since
the accumulation of riches for children has
proven a certain damage to them, shall
not poverty be rather entailed instead |!
This is a question which admits Of affirma-
tive arguments based upon quite universal
facts, while the negative is the practice Of
the whole country and is yet without favor
able results. That poverty entailed is a
surer means of fortune to some than wealth
entailed may be most singular result Of
cause and effect, yet surrounding observa-
lions warrant the conclusions.
But the age Of gold is upon the country
and must pass by before a better ruler shall
come to preside. We reckon thousand
years for the rule Of Supreme selfishiness
which may be nigh ended if We allow for
railroad and telegraph speed, That illu-
minated mind is to follow and spread over
the present age Of selishness there can be
as little doubt as that righteousness shall
follow the age Of intellectual culture. In
the reign toward which we are Fastening,
the sons shall inherit from the fathers lega
cies of practical industry and habit OF
thought instead of riches which corrupt
body and mind. Il the fathers possess
great surplus property, that will be divided
for some noble good, as the founding Of
schools Of industry where the poor may be
taken from the streets and raised up in
habits of industry and where mental disei-
pine may go hand in hand with Industrial
trainings.
In that intelac1a nal reign which Is to sue
coed the pres on ne e0e9.velfshness and
cold, prop 90. ,.dued only as a
means for physical and mental eiucat on
Of the sons and daughters-neyer for deba-
sing them.
Where now is seen the educated son Of
the poor man, who has not continued to
rise in knowledge, wealth and wer!---
Where the property pampered son OF the
rich man who is not in the way to ruin
and ultimate want! Can such calamities
to the posterity ofrich men b. averted
We answer, in no way but by making in
dustry habit IN the sons and by fixing
| in them sone system Of thought BY means
Of education Children, even SO managed
may be ruined BY following tpam with
rich ,egacies. Better therefore to provide
that all property not needed for the disci-
pine Of children, or for the declining years
Of parents, shall be applied to some good
and wise purpose at the deceasa the ones
who earn it.
But, says the reader, such sentiments
are impracticable, flnatic-why hinder the
accumulation Of property and the public
wealth bs lowered. All very true, aceor-
ding to tie age that rules Us, but then
tile aggregate Of morality, intelligence and
industry and happiness would be increased
enormously.
The above thoughts were suggested one
day last week by /. rich old man who call
ed in to transact some business. lie may
read and apply what we have said for his
own benefit. He has toiled hard and long
is rich and yet never happy His sons
arc ignorant, worthless and seem anxious
for the fine time ahead over the OLD mans
property. When he comes again TO Lam
caster he may stop bis paper for this ret
minder, but that won't break Us.
a