The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-11
The Rich AND The POOR.

Tntbe Editor of The Evening TeIegrdph:-
r .1ADELPHIA, April 9.-The twin evils of
society are too much and too little. Extremes
are not evidence of health A moderate supply
of water will quench the thirst, flood may
drown us. Equilibrium is the healthy state.
The over-rich and the over-poor are both to be
pitied Each has its outgrowth of sorrow, and
it is difficult to say which produces the largest
crop. Poverty may bed with ignorance and
crime. but "idleness is the DEVILS cushion
We are told that
"From labor health from health contentment flows"
And yet hoYg often, to secure atfluence, do we
shut the door against these invaluable bless
ings
Strange, that men so seldom get enough
Millions will not suffice. Though the care Of
it destroy the health and poison all the
streams of happiness; though it breed moral
and physical deformity in those they love,
still the cry is more more as though increase
were necessary. In other connections this
would be set down as monomania. What else
is it to want and toll for what can in no
case be needed, up to the very hour of dissO-
luton. with the hollow summons of death
ringing in their ears as though the earth-lite
was eternal? And yet such must think Of
dissolution; else why such carefully written
wills, directing that all be divided at death
Mr.. Peabody is bright exception. With
Ahim, the pleasure of giving is equal to the
pleasure of possession. He gives lavishly to
his kin, and lives to enjoy their gratitude.
He dispenses to practical charities, and makes
his own eyes the guardian of his munifcence.
i He so uses his surplus wealth as to bless
4 thousands and beholds the hundred-fold
return. He does himself, instead OF leaving
the work to others, who too often squander
the sacred offering. All honor Mr.. Peabody,
but how few emulate his example
Too poor is the other extreme. Fortune
seems TO have her pets, who would be rich
though they resolved otherwise; and there are
others born to poverty. II is in the organiza-
tion. Howard could not have been mil
lionaire: he lacked the selfish nature. Yet
there are millionaires who are the merest beg
oars compared to Howard, so sOrdid and sell
fish have they become so enslaved to money
gettine-so lost to the legitimate uses of
wealth that, though their treasures are abun-
dant, yet they are as poor as church mouse
in their power to useit properly. Every dol
lar is mortgaged by avarice. VINO mas entered
upon and taken full possession of them. 1t is
@nlv life interest however; and how such
sonIs must quake as they think Of young pos
terity rioting amongst their gold bags
Wihe poor We have always with you" II
1vonld be sad day for the rich If there were
no moor. It is contrast that makes up the adj
yaptages of wealth. If there were no poor,
tbare would be no rich. Gold would be of nc
more value than iron, and ton of it would
not command service. Necessity is the Law
ofman's development. 1t is the motive power
which urges him to high and noble works
The poor are sacrificed that Others may b'
bIessed. What then Shall the rich hoarC
mn more than they need, while there ar
others in every way worthy, every way VIII
ing, every way deserving of the good things