Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-11-18
PHYSICAL and Intellectual Ac1ivf-
ties.

cal and intellectual activities.
4 These forces, however, are no,
distributed equally among nationali.
ties, nor among the people OF ma
tion. Nature is one great motive
power, governed by law, controlling
us. Intellect is another mighty,
prepulsive power, equally subject to
law, exerling its influence upon the
social, political, end religious life OF
the family, the state, and the world.
At no period in history are these two
forces more prominently brought into
notice, and more worthy of consid-
GRAFTON than now. Our own country
presents many notable examples OF
both classes, though it may be truth
ly assumed, without any disparage-
meDt to our numerous and powerful
intellectual activities that the phys.
ical activities are largely predomi-
nant in force. 1t lie the New World
contrssted with the Old World
virgin soil against long titled lands
comparatively sparse populations
against densely packed nationalities.
Republicanism against effete govern
ments--the rule of the people against
the divine right of Kings: All things
are new; resources undeveloped, and
republicanism itself, msy yet be con-
sidered in embryo. 1t is this pro-
cess of development, that call into
play, hardihood of muscle, courage
to face physical dangers and incon-
veniences, in fact, condition which
necessitates temporary supremacy
of the physical over the intellectual
energies of people.
1t has become customary among
both home and foreign writers, to
charge us, as nation, with an inor-
dinate lust of gam, an idolatrous
worship of the almighty dollar. To
a certain limit this may be true,
though, we opine, that the evils re
sultant from the "love of money" as
"the root of all evil" is more direct
ly chargeable to its channels of dis
bursement, than to its methods of ac.
| cumulation. We admit that the at
tainment of wealth-a vast fortune
in brief periods among the ma
jority of our people, the Ultima
Thule Of their desires; but can trace
such wishes mainly, to the unchang-
ing law, which demands this spirit
of acquisition, or money. getting, as
the means of rapid Development.
and for removing or bridging over
difficulties, which only physical ac
tivities can cope with, and which
again will only respond to the magic
word--money. Mental laborers may
draft the gigantic theoretic plan, but
practical success, rest upon the an
swer to the important question:-Is
there any money in it? This desire
for wealth, is a disposition to be
found among all youthful and pro
gressive nations or communities. 1t
is one of the laws Of progress, where
by advancement can only be attained.
Physical activities, propelled by this
power, have developed the golden
riches of California; opened the sill
yer treasury of Nevada; and demon
strated the marvellous fertility of
the rich lands of our great West
the granary of the World.
1t is this ssme love of gain, which
proposes to provide an available
labor for the South; which has
spanned the continent, with parallel
lines of iron, connecting the placid
Pacific with the angry Atlantic;
which has buried the wire, hundreds
of fathoms deep, beneath the reach
of oceans storms--along which the
lightning flashes its daily, if not
hourly statement Of money markets,
prices of bonds, consols and mer-
chandize. Among older nations.
these purely physical energies may
not be SO conspicuous, they have no
room, comparatively, for natural
development; the object to be OBJ.
tanned by the masses, is simply
subsistence, more or less abundant,
and not, as with us, the creation of q
nation. Such peoples and their gov
ernments, run in well-worn grooves
of routine, and change or reform in
that established order, is the means
whereby their condition can only be
improved, and such changes are usu-
ally the result of the physical COM
pelling the intellectual activities to
institute and model such reforms;
but with us, these same energies,
yielding to the laws of gain, people
the wilderness, level the forests,
delve in the mines, and cultivate the
prairies, and with what purpose
that they may become the Astors, the
Vanderbilts, the Stewards, and we
trust the Peabodys also, of the com,
munities they have created.
Without doubt, this propelling
law, the love of wealth, is fearfully
abused, but SO are all laws, be they
divine or human. 1t has its legiti.