Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1868-12-15
rHE OLD WAY AND THE NEW.

Formerly the road 10 success in life
was through patient plcdding, early
rising and economical living, and In fol-
lowing these the practice of morality
became the habit of the man and the
inheritance Of his childrens. Now, how
ever, the large fortunes that are so fire.
queutly and rapidly made, are more
often the result of quick perceptions.
boldness and happy hits, reckless and
inscriptions speculations, than by the
old-fashioned virtues that combine TO
make a healthful and noble character.
The discipline, too, that used to be e1-
ercised in the training of young men TOT
mercantile life is nov nearly forgotten
Knowledge is indeed communicated
but habits are rarely taught. Even IN
trades, where manual dsxterity is need
ed, the apprenticeship of olden times
has almost disappeared, often to the
detrimsnt of the work subsequently per-
formed. The value of good habits, as
aids to law and morality, cannot be too
highly appreciated, and in much Of the
immortality that pervades the CONNER
cial world, we see the effects of the de-
cline Of the social force of habit, at q
period when moral culture is not sufi-
GENTLY advanced to take its place. The
discipline Of selt-rsstraint once removed,
the value Of character 10 greatly dimin-
ishsd /; and though freedom Of action is
promoted BY the increased facilities Of
travel, aud widening fields Of enter
prise, public opinion loses its influence
to a great extent, from being less con-
centrated. Even nj favorite aud most
useful doctrine, that all labor is worthy
of pecuniary reward, much as it has ac-
complished in promoting industry aud
independence, is sometimes abused by
the tendency to regard all other rewards
but money valueless ; and where moral
culture fails to impart the purest mo-
tives there is danger that the baser one
OF money getting, may be tie only sub
stitute. To q Frenchman, the dearest
of all earthly possessions ia said to be
his honor, and should he lose that be is
ruined. Though Americans also value
the good opinion of their fellow citi-
zens, it is not BY any means their ruling
passion ; and though a sense Of respon-
sibility to God, whore it is really felt
and acted upon, is so infinitely superior
as to bear no comparison as a motive
power, yet it is to be feared that a very
large number of those who despise the
Freuchman's sense of honor are them-
selves influenced by baser and more
sordid motives.
In new countries like Jul own, wealth
may for some time be o chief source OF
distinction. Birth is discarded, and
learning becomes diffused, and success
in life will depend greatly on the pos
session Of that for which the majority
are striving. But still much may be
done to avert the evils Of commercial
corruption. Not a little may be accom-.
plished by Government example. Tempt
atious are too often thrown around the
weak, and offices secured by bribery
that should be rendered impossible.
When services are fairly paid, and situ-
ations under Government rendered in
dependent, many good tendencies will
be strengthened that are now crushed,
and bad ones arrested that are now re-
warded. The Government Of every ma
ton should DO n school of order, integ-
rity and economy, to which all may look
for example as we'll as protection. But
education, not only through instruction
in morals by teacher or parent, but
chiefly through the careful training and
formation of habits in youth, and the
example set by those whom the young
will surely initiate, must ever be the
handspring of all reformation. And
those who have really the welfare Of the
rising generation at heart, should evel
strive in all their walk through life &c
display a sincere adherence Of oil cor
rupt practices and Of those who engage
in them.