Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-10-20
THE ROOT OF EVIL.


1t is said the world is growing more
wicked, and that every manner of crime
is on the increase. How this may be,
we do not know, but it seems that the
spirit of evil is abroad running to and
fro, and if it was ever more active, it
must have been at that time, when No
all was commanded to build the ark, and
the rain of forty days and forty nights
was required to drive it from the face of
the earth. 1t is certain that in enlight-
cned and religious countries, no age has
seen more murders, suicides, thefts and
knavery than this. If we seek for the
causes of all this, we shall find intem-
perance and an inordinate love of money
among the chief Passion, revenge and
rum do much bloody work, but the love
of money is the great root of evil as it
was in the days of Solomon. The de-
sire of riches is so strong, that men for
get honor, discard prudence, and sacri-
flee health, life and friends, that wealth
may be gained. Speculation runs RAM
pant, and the poor man throws his little
into the pool, when his judgment shows
him his folly, in the vain hope of win
ming. The rich man becomes crazed
when he learns that an unfortunate day
has shrunk his thousands, and his suf-
ferings are more keen than the hunger
of the beggar. Why this greed for
gain? What examples do we have where
great wealth brought great happiness ?
Who has learned to love money less as
his Golfers have enlarged? In our own
country money does not command re-
spect, and we are unwilling to believe
that in many instances it buys peace.
When Alice Carey was buried, there
were thousands of eyes that let fall the
tear of love. Who will weep when
Gould or Vanderbilt is entombed :? The
sorrow that encompassed the land when
martyred President was buried, was
deeper than would be felt if all the mil
lionaires in Christendom were dead.
Money may buy palaces, but it cannot
buy comfort; it may clothe with splen-
dor and deck with jewels, but it cannot
supply with brains; it may call about
itself fawning friends. but they will
murder its possessor and revel over his
grave; it may procure kingdoms upor
the earth, but it will be unknown in 6
world to come. Men know that com
petence is better than millions, and ye
they are ready to spend the strength o.
a life, and risk the hope of the future il
swelling competence to fortune. L
this foollshness Is there no antidot
for avarice? If the soul that is sealin,
itself up to sordid Mammom. would b.
benev> lent before it was too late, tn
world would be benefited by its gift
and its possessor rejoice in its liberality
The few honorable and noted men, VIII
have founded institutions for the benefi
of their fellows, have greatly blessed tn
world, and their names will be honore,
when their gold is worn to dust an
scattered by the winds.
Not until a different appreciation
set upon money, will it cease to be
bane to its possessors, and that whic
many will seek after even to the sacri6c
of much that makes life enjoyable. Br
when it shall be sought to enlarge an
ennoble the mind, to make homes plea
ant and hearts joyous, to alleviate di
tress and lift up the fallen, then will
bless the world. This generation ougl
to teach the next and prepare it for
better record. Young men ought to
taught to labor, not for what they ca
accumulate to be wasted at their deal
by prohigate children, but for recol
of virtue'and of integrity, life of us
fulness and devotion to the interest
friends and of country. Then wou
many of the crimes and follies of to d;
be known only of the past, and hapI
er and better era would have dawned u
on the world.