The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-01-20
Giving Advice.

EVERY man and woman, at some period
of their lives, are called upon to give ad
vice. Those who have been most success
full are likely to be called upon to do more
of this charitable work than Others-nOt
because the unsuccessful are incapable Of
doing it, but it seems quite natural to
hang upon the skirts of those going up
hill instead of down. The unfortunate
can certainly inform others how to avoid
the mistakes they have made, which in
most instances would be valuable advice.
Success in life invariably results from
some inherent quality, which is often
unknown even to the pOssessOr. A man
may possess an indomitable will, and with
this he strikes out into the world, over
coming all obstacles by force, while an
other will reach the same elevation by
strategy.
The success, however, belongs to, and is
usually obtained by, those who over
come difficulties by perseverance.
The question may arise, "What is sue
8" and We confess that it is difficult
one to answer, inasmuch as there are
many different degrees, as well as opin-
ions, in regard to such matters.
In one class of society, and by far the
largest, money is the standard in another
fame and last, although least, intelligence
and moral worth. The happiest people
belong to the latter class, but moderate
supply Of money i. necessary, and a little
fame is pleasant, but the really intelligent
gather pleasure where others find nothing
but thorns.
Therefore, to be successful, is only ac-
complshing whatever is undertaken. The
man who turns his attention to some par
ticular branch of science, and after years
of labor accomplishes his object, is hero,
and often deserving of more honor than
another who has conquered nation.
Some men get more praise than they de-
serve, and others less, but this is but the
natural result of the imperfections of So
cIety. Young men seek advice from the
old and aged, and this is as it should be
but we fear that there are few at the pres
ent time who would be willing to follow
in the same path trOd by our most sue
cessful men. Scores of the young men OF
our cities are seeking advice in regard to
farming. Some have capital to begin
with, others none but the chances of sue
cess are in favor of the latter. Those who
earn their farms are likely to keep them,
for that which comes easy goes easy.
One great difficulty with all young
men is that they are impatient, and want
somebody to lift them into high position
at once, for they are not aware that this,
in nine cases out of ten, would prove to
be serious calamity. 1t is only those
who climb the ladder that know the
strength of every round. A rapid ascent
is often followed by similar descent, and
as knowledge can only be obtained in small
quantities at time, it is better to be con-
tent with things as they are than fret at
circumstances.
We would call the attention of every
young man to one significant fact, and that
is, ninety-nine in every hundred of our
successful men began at the very bottom
of the ladder No matter where you look
in science, politics, literature, or agricul-
ture-the great men of this nation have
gained their present position by their own
personal industry. Poverty, therefore, to
young man, is one of the chi, elements
of success, for in his strife to supply the
immediate demands of nature, he gains
strength of both body and mind, until his
own power is marvel, even to himself
Hearth and Home.