The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-06-15
ALessOn Upon tRe Road TO Success
In Life.

The Cooper Institute of New York
City is one Of the most remarkable insti-
tutions of the age. 1t was founded some
years ago with an endowment of upwards
of halfa million of dollars by Mr.. Peter
Cooper, one of the wealthiest citizens OF
that city. More than fifteen thousand
persons have received the benefits of ed
ucation within its walls, fitting them for
usefulness in life. On a recent occasion
Mr.. Cooper celebrated his eightieth
anniversary by a liberal donation of
$3.50, 900 for the benefit of the Institute
In response to an address from the stu
dents al the close of the annual examina-
ton, he delivered some remarks which are
worthy of reproduction by the newspapers
of the country because they convey a
useful lesson to the young, on the subject
of the true road to success in life. In
calling the attention of that class of our
readers to the subjoined extracts, we will
remind them that the experience which
he has related of himself is that of a
venerable man now advanced in life far
beyond the period allotted by the Palm
list. He commenced his course of life a
poor boy without means of acquiring
more than the rudiments of education.
His trade was that of a mechanic. He
is now worth several millions of dollars
He is the founder of an Institution of
learning which will carry his name down
to remote generations. And this is but
one of his numerous benefactions. He
commands the universal respect of his
countrymen, to whom his riches are a
blessing. 1t is worth while to know how
his wonderful success has been achieved.
The story is simple one. He says:
MY YOUNG FRIENDS If needed any re-
reward for my humble efforts to benefit my
fellow-men, the touching language of your
address. and this expression of your affec-
ton and gratitude, would be ample compen-
sation for labors however eXacting and sac
rifices however great. Happily, however
works of benevolence carry with them their
own recompense. even though they do not
meet with the recog Aition which has fallen
to my lot, and which makes me feel that this
occasion is the browning happiness of a
life which has passed its eightiath anniver-
sary. In that long experience, have learn
ed lessons which. If could induce you. my
young friends, who have your future before
you, and others who have left their past be-
hind them, TO lay them 10 heart, and TO
practice in the conduct of life. would great
~ lessen the evils of society and improve
the condition OF the land and the time ia
which we live. While yet a child | learned
that the ''hand of the diligent maketh rich"
and whatever of wealth | have achieved
has been due, primarily, TO habits of patient
industry formed az the outset of my career.
| soon learned that "waste makes want"
and / therefore saved what / earned: and
by taking stitches in time" guarded against
the loss which unavoidably attends upon
neglect and want OF foresight. It did not
take long for me TO learn that drunkenness
was the parent of the larger portion of the
poverty, vice, and crime which afflct the
American people; and hence, until adYanc-
ing age seemed TO demand moderate stimu-
lants, | carefully avoided alcoholic liquors
as the greatest curse of the young, and the
most deadly foe to domestic happiness and
the public welfare. Next | observed that
most of the ship-wrecks in life were due TO
debts hastily contracted, and out of proper
ton to the means of the debtor; and hence
| always avoided debt, and endeavored 10
keep some ready money on hand TO avail of
a favorable opportunity for its profitable
use. With economy and industry IL Is easy
to do this in this favored land; and in my
case the result has been that, amid all the
financial revulsions through which / have
passed, no obligation Ofmine has ever been
IA day in arrear.
Debt is slavery which every young man
ought to avoid, or, if assumed, ought not to
be endured for one day beyond the shortest
time necessary TO set him free. Stunning
intemperance and debt, and practicing in
dustry, rigid economy, and self-denial, IL
was easy TO be honest, and to acquire such
knowledge as the opportunities of this city
offered i'm the DAYS of my youth. But these
opportunities were so limited-there being
no free schools by day, nor any night
schools whatever-that found IL far more
difficult to learn what | wanted To know
than 10 be Industrious, temperate, and pru-
dent Hence decided, If l should prosper
in the acquisition Of worldly means, TO found
an institution to which the young people OF
the working classes who desired TO be good
citizens and to rise in life could resort, !
without money and without price, i'm order
to acquire that knowledge of their business |
and science which i'm these days is absolute |
ly Indispensable to a successful career
Providence, in accordance with the declara- |
ton that to faith all things are possible" |
did bless my efforts; and this institution |
and these ell couraging evidences OF its val |
ne and its fruits, presented here tonight, Is |
the result of this resolution, never lost sight |
of during a business career OF nearly sixty |
years; in which l was cheered comforted |
sustained, and encouraged by the greatest /
of human blessings, diligent, wise, indus
trious, faithful aud affectionate wife; and |
in the work of founding this institution, /
aided by the earnest sympathy and active /
cooperation of nv children, who justly re-
garded as the richest portion of their inner
ftance that part of my wealth which l de-
sired to consecrate to the public welfare
Hence my last lesson for the young is TO |
marry at the proper age when. and not be-
fore, they can see the way clear TO a decent
and comfortable support, and thus fulfil the
first law OF nature with high and holy /
sense of its happiness and duties, the great
est and post serious in the path OF life
Love and duty have ever found to be the |
of all that is true and noble in
life. and when they are separated, the fires
ON the family altar die out, and life loses all
its charms, never to be compensated by the
false jewels which are often worn In the
public gaze. These are, indeed, simple
truths, which have endeavored to set forth
In words equally simple, because l feel sure
from a very long experience, that they will
10 good to every Young man and young
woman who will firmly resolve to make
them the rule Of life; and because / began
life without means, ard know the truth OF
what l affirm. But, having also acquired
what Is regarded as riches, have earned
he right by the use / have made Of them,
~ give any advice or speak word of en-
to others, who, by the will of
God, are entrusted with the great RESPONSE
1ility of wealth? Whether / have this
light or not, feel impelled to record my
derived from personal expert
snce, that the rich man who regards his
wealth as a sacred trust to be used for the
Welfare of his fellow-men, will surely de-
i've more true enjoyment from il In this
world than from the most lavish expendi-
ure on mere personal enjoymeuts and so
ial display.
The Kinds County Gazette is mistaken
n its estamation of the voters of this
District. Simpson county was