The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-08-14
quire capacity, experience, vigor. cha.
raoter. patriotism and courage. Let
th9se yho heye them pot. either stand
or bsY YushedSput of Tie way. 4
j. w. Willi.Ins. Of ChIris.ton.
By ADDISON,

ACT Well your part, there all the honor lies. "
The pages OF history taem with ao.
counts Of men who have risen, from
the lowly vale Of poverty to the most
exalted stations. The hurnble student
boy has risen hy degrees and becomes
the learned and scientific professor;
the apprentice from his serving to the
elevated dignity of statesman; the
private soldier to wear the insignia OF
royalty; the rustic youth from the
country to the distinguished lawyer
and the merchant millionaire; tho
plowman of the field. by the splendor
OF his talents. becomes the object of
universal admiration. These live a'ong
the aisles of history, but we shall not
seek in the past or in distant lands for
one worthy OF our notice. He can be
found nearer home, citizen of our
own beloved State, and as deserving
Of mark of respect for his course ip
life as those who have preceded him
to more exalted positions.
A few days ago, we received O pam
phlet, entitled 'The Thirty-second
Anniversary of the House of Geo. w.
Williams & 90. and the Inauguration
at the Carolina Savings Bank. of
Charleston. s. o." which was held in
Charleston, s. O., May Q, 1874. The
bead and front OF this house ie George
W. Williams. at this celebration we're
present the business men of the city,
divines, Judges, editors aud the talent
OF the bar, who, in appropriate
speeches. marked by modesty, paid
merited compliments to the successful
merchant and banker, G. W. Williams.
We have but slight acquaintance with
Mr.. Williams, but presume him to be
between fifty and sixty years of age.
Suffice it to say. that he started ont in
life when seventeen years of age, with
ten dollars in his pocket, earned by
the swent Of hie brow. From his
fathers home, in Nacoochee Valley,
Ga, walked to Augusta, Ga. with
budget on, his baok, distant $50 miles.
There We find him obtaining situa-
ton, prompt in action, attentive to
his business, industrious, honest, eco
nomical and moral in his habits. Step
by step, he rose, until we find him
doing business on his own RESPONSE
bility. Next a wholesale merchant
and banker in the city of Charles
ton and banker in New York,
and now the Inauguration and Presi-
dent of the Charleston Savings Bank,
chartered by the last Legislature-an
institution which, if properly conduct
ed, (which We have every assurance of
from his being the President,) will be
OF inoalculable benefit to all classes of
society.
Mr. Williams is wealthy man-uot
so wealthy as Astor or Vanderbilt or
Stewart, but wealth far beyond the
most of our Southern merchants. He
is liberal in his views, charitable in his
disposition and generous in his dona.
tions. He steered his concern safely
Though stormy panics and monetary
convnlsions, when hundreds went
down oil around him; passed unscathed
through the trying ordeal of the war,
and launched ont with renewed vipor
at its close on the commercial ocean
again. He stands to-day ut the head
OF the mercantile department in South
Carolina.
The pictures drawn by Plutarch
have Influenced. it s said, the minds
OF many to great and heroic actions.
While Mr. Williams would be no pro-
totype for glory seeking men ut the
cannon's mouth on the bloody field of
battle, yet it may we'll be said that he
stands forth to-day as living model
for the young men of the State, who
have to go forth on the battlefield Of
life and desire to achieve successful
and respectable name. We wish that
every young man in the State had one
OF these pamphlets to read. His letter
and speech possess not the classic
style of Bulwer, the descriptive power
OF Cooper, the mellowed softness and
chastity of Irving, the beauteous
imagery of Bryant, the pleasing aud
attractive manner of Scott, the hnmor.
glow and sparkle of the brilliant Hal
leck. but they abound in maxims of
wisdom and experience, inculcating
Industry, perseverance, energy, no.
nesty, morality, punctuality -becom.
ing qualities that will fit one to
stand before princes. They are far
superior to the yellow backed novels
of the day, which teach unreal notions
OF life, exaggerated views and panler
to the morbid appetites of society.
The lessons of his carcor are calcu-
lated to plant rich seeds in the bosom
OF every young man. to blossom in
manhood and bear fruit when they are
old. His advice, in q few words, is
''Be up and doing,
With heart for every fate;
Still ach -eving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to watt