The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-07-15
VOLUME 5.---N0: 5.
The Desire to be Rich.

Tne Ues1re TO &c h1cn.
This is the passion of the times, and
is showing sad effects in deranging many
of our industries and demoralizing the
productive classes generally. 1t begets
in our young men disposition to turn
aside from all kinds of productive labor
and engage in trading and speculating, as
promising easier and speedier success in
acquiring wealth. They have read Of in
dividual cases of remarkable success in
this way, and they hurry from the work
shops and the farms into cities or centres
of trade, in the confidence of soon plac-
ing themselves beyond the necessity of
any form of hard labor. Perhaps ninety
nine out of one hundred of them are dis
appointed, but the admonition is unheed-
ed. Each one thinks he is to be the ex-
ception, and many rush recklessly on in
the same course.
The consequence is not only the disap,;
pointment and suffering of the multitudes
who fail, but the great loss of productive.
industry to the community at large. The
workshops are, to great extent, deserted
or filled with incompetent workmen.-
Farms are neglected, consumers are in
creased, while production is diminished.
The effect is seen in many of the indus
trial and social evils of the time.
Thcre is nothing wrong in the desire of
an easy competence, or even afiuence, il
there is disposition to make a good use
of it. Tie wrong is an inordinate desire
of wealth, and recklessness in the pursuit
of it. Unuuestionably, one of the crying
evils of the times is determination to be
rich on the easiest possible conditions and
this sometimes without any consideration
of what is morally right or wrong. The
whirl of trading life is very far from be:
ing the best for morals. Even in the.
legitimate mercantile business there arc
temptations so varied and strong that on;
lv men firm in what is true and right can
entirely resist them. There are so many.
who think it but legitimate part of
their business to circumvent or overreach
their nelghbors, that an atmosphere iss
created about some departments Of trade
inside of which no honest man can, breathe
with comfort: The marvelis, that in such
state of things there are SO many whose
business character and transactions are
without reproach. The mon who gener:
al!v fail with loss of all, morals as much
rs money, are, no doubt of the class who
have rushed into this sphere of life With
inordinate desire of wealth.
Let young men who are determining
their pursuits in life think of these things:
Let them get rid of any prejudice that
may have crept into their minds against;
indusYlal pursuits. They are among the
most honorable; and. as times now are
and are likely to be in this country, are
really the most certain of securing all
needed earthly gain. ;:
We believe we are safe in saying that
there is no country in the world; ana
there has never been time in the history
of this country, in which such career
was opened to young men who choose to
begin at the bottom of the ladder; and
learn any industrial pursuit., or any Work
of production thoroughly, and stick to it
faithfully, as is open to young men in the
United States at this moment. Any boy
of good education, who chooses to 60 in.
to mill or workshop, and make himself
master of any branch of industry, and
determine to live by it, and stick to 1T
and make profession Of Aofoaghasss and
fidelity, may. feel as sure of fortune and
influence as it is ever permitted to NOR;
tails to feel. The very multitude of those
who will not submit to drudgery, who
love "gentility" and change; prefer job.
bing and specializing to producing, make
his triumph all the easier, because they
make him all the more remarkable by
contrast, and the prizes Which ali the
great fields Of industry offer to such men;
are not only numerous, but Of enormous
vaule. Parents and boys are beginning
to find this out, and we have little doubt
we shall see, before long, tolerably gen.
eral reaction in favor of steady industry.
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