New Orleans Republican., 1873-03-25
WEALTH.

the report Of the special committee Will be
received, and the committee discharged
WEALTH.
It is not money, but the inordinate love
of it for selfish uses that is the root Of all
evil: the desire to obtain it without giving
an equivalent. Such q desire leads to
gambling, jobbing. speculation. political
prostitution, Credit Mobilier' enter
prises, whereas wealth honestly acquired
and wisely. liberally used, is a blessing, no;
only to its possessor, but to the COM
munity IN which he lives. Only saints.
philosophers or fools can sincerely despise
it, and the canting twaddle heard every
day about the inferiority Of ''mere wealth
as a source of social distinction, is usually
the offspring Of envious incapacity. For
what is mere wealth." Except in the
case of miser there is no such thing.
Wealth almos. always represents
something more than itself. frequently
something higher and better. If accu-
mulated by its posseSsor. it indicates the
possession Of brain and energy; persever-
ing industry rendered available by busi-
ness capacity; broad and comprehensive
plans skillfully worked out; correct IN
derstanding Of the drift Of public events;
an enlightened foresight seizing upon op-
portunities which "a duller vision re-
cognizes only after they have
passed. If inherited, wealth is usu-
ally accompanied by g. certain grace
and refinement. the natural effect Of ele-
CANT surroundings from youth upward.
1t consequently bespeaks that good Will
and social welcome always accorded to
those advantages. especially when it is
generously dispensed. and to complain
of this is simply TO ind fault with human
nature. Mere wealth. however. without
the good qualities properly accompanying
it, as in the case Of the miser or the dis
honest upstart, does not command social
distinction. bat only contempt.
The accumulation Of wealth and
the consequent leisure arising there
from, form the first steps in the
progress of civilization. until people
have more than bare sutficiency for their
bodily wants. they have neither time nor
| inclination to think Of mental or spiritual
ones. 1t is so with nations. and it IS so
with individuals.
"Can l ait the Bible:" said an hatitr-
ally under-fed Irisbman to female home
missionary, who was zealously striving to
difuse evangelical Christianity among the
poor.
at is aisy 20 be grateful on full stoln-
ach," retorted another Of the same class
| to an officious se,norizer. Not that ab-
solute wealth is necessary as a prelimi-
nary to religion or culture. There have
been many instances Of poverty volun-
tarily assumed from religious or philo-
sophie motives: but these, numerous
though they may be. are still exceptional,
and do no. efiiec: the rule.
Raised above absolute want, men imne-
diately begin the accumulation OF riches il
its primitive form; that, namely. OF sec"r'
ing more than is demanded for immediate
use; laying by something for rainy day
| storing their barns and cellars with sum
| mer fruits for winter use. Foresight like
this is among the frs: advances from bar
barism to civilization. and with civiliza
ton comes multiplied wants. the gratifca
ton Of which from a luxury soon becomes
a necessity. Thus riches are comparative
and what woald be counted such by some
persons or at some times, by others or b!
the same persons at a subsequent periot
would be regarded as poverty.
1--WE are well off now," says the fortI
nate merchant. whose income for some
years has considerably exceeded his ex
penses, "and ! can afford that trip tc
Europe. wife. which you have so long
been wishing for "Only half million
after all these years signs the covetou:
money hoarder,' when my capital i
doubled ] shall be rich" I've
are rich now. Children exclaims tht
poor widow. who has unexpectedly
won a paltry law suit. land you
shall all have new Clothes" And thus
it goes, riches meaning something quite
different. as regards the amount ac
cumulated. from different standpoints
Whatever that amount may be, in what
ever view it may be regarded, whether a
wealth or competence" the desire Of II
acquisition affords tie most powerful
stimulus that exists 70 industry, economy
and enterprise. This spirit. whatever j
may be called thrift. worldliness, love o
money makes the steady steadier ar(
The adventurous more daring: inspire!
the mos: cautious steps and Tx
widest risks: sends forth ships into
the unknown ocean ard men into :ht
savagest wildernes.es: dives into tht
profcundes. secrets O: nature, plod
through the :ntficacies Of science
achieves the lott.es: :riumphs Of art
rivals in its potency tic desire Of fame il
self. Let. not then. the spirit Of thrift. g
beneficial in It's tendencies upon individ
':als and upon society he confoUnded witt
the mere thirst o: gold. the beggar'
vice : let not ministers OF religion waste
;Leir influence n vain efforts TO decry i.