Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-07-06
Talk About Our Rich Plodders.

There are few men, of whom e. ID. Nor
gan once was type, who operate heavily
and make money by their boldness, but they
are decidedly scarce. On the other hand,
money is made almost universally by the
slow process of plOdding. Men must learn
the art of adding one penny to another, and
must also learn that one dollar can earn
seven cents in year. This may have a
penurlous look, yet it is view taken by
some men of great libcralily. These men
make their money by close dealing, but they
use it freely. 1t does not necessarily make
man closer TO make money slowly. Lib.
erallty is habit which IS not inconsistent
win severe economy plodder learns
that for the sum OF seven dollars, which
some men will throw away in foolish expen-
diture, he can hire hundred dollars for a
year. For seventy dollars he can hire
thousand dollars, and in his hunds that sum
VIII earn large per centage. The plodder
Is a determined man, au6 he is not deferred
by obstacles. He tolls day by day, and
what lie gets he holds on TO. When he has
WOO position he goes on to win another,
aud III this manner whatever he does is done
in solid manner. Ben Franklin was a
plodder; his Poor Richards almanac was
make up OF plodder's maxims. Franklin's
greatness consisted in his devotion to the
practical instead of the imaginative. 1t is
mistake 10 think that Genius deals In sud
den outbursts oil creative thought. All great
writers achieved greatness by industry as
well as gifts Walter Scott labored ardu-
ously with the pen. Bulwer and Dickens
work hard. Genius must be taught to plod or
il will accomplish nothing. All our great
statesmen are and have always been work
ing men. They have plOdded through
speeches, reports, statistics, and al last when
the world beholds their greatness, IL ascribes
TO inspiration that which alone is due to in.
dustry. Hamilton, Madison, and above all
John Quincy Adams were plOdders. They
worked hard, and the latter was probably
the most industrious man of his day. In
addition to public speeches, reports, debates,
presidential message and treaties, he found
time for literature, and also kept up minute
diary which ceased only with his death.
The great merchants and great lawyers OF
the city are podders. Look at Clatlin and
at Stewart. They began work IN early
youth, and although rich they still labor ar
duously. Look, too, at these lawyers.
Here are such men as Evarts, O'Conor and
other kings OF the bar. How closely they
apply themselves IN the preparation OF
case, reading up for the occasion In vol
luminous reports, and wading through huge
piles of testimony. II is mistake too com
mon among our ambitious young men TO
thlnk tnal lheY are 10 leap suddenly INTO
success. They must learn 10 plod. Pegasus
must be put into harness and made TO do
days work. Among business men John
Jacob Astor was an instance of plodding.
He begun with few fur skins aud ended
with twenty millions. Commodore Wander
bilt Is another illustration. People look on
him as an instance oil splendid genius. This
is Of course directly true. The Commodore
is naturally great, and yet the results which
he has reached are the fruits of hard work.
He has labOred with head and hand for
nearly sixty years, ploddlng along in the
pursuit oil one grand object and if il be true
that lie has made million here and there
by some master stroke, 1t is no less true that
the great body of his wealth is the result oil
great application. The late John ]. Phelps
who was one OF the same class, leaves an
estate OF eight millions, and Moses Taylor
has plodded into fortune OF equal value
Moses has one million of dollars invested in
the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
Coal and Railroad Company, which Is with
one exception the heaviest Investment in
personal property in the country.
--sS1es-
The Scottish clergy are trying 10 adopt
the mOustacbe. A great many Scottish