Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-05-07
Ambition.

Ambition is regarded in all kinds of lights
by different people. The ambition of
Caesar was considered sufficient cause for
putting him to death, while the ambition Of
others has been lauded as the noblest of
traits. The difference with which this
passion for as such it is classed) is regarded
at different times and in different individuals
is owing to the difference Of circumstances,
and this brings us to the point OF which we
would speak.
No man is ever satisfied. If he were,
he would have nothing more to live for.
1t is the hope and expectation OF something
in store that animates every man aud
prompts every voluntary action, and it is
due to the brilliancy and force of this hope,
expectation, and desire, in the Yankee, that
he has acquired his universal reputation for
enterprise. 1t is because he is never nearly
satisfied with results already obtained, but
only seems to be by them rendered more
no man ever was or ever will be satisfied in
this world. The only real satisfaction is
that referred to in the words, II shall be sat
is6ed, when l awake, with thy likeness"
This unrest, this continual longing of the
human heart after something more, and
when that is attained something more yet,
and 80 on, is not misfortune, but wise
provision of the Creator for our happiness
and enjoyment, and in proportion to the
intensity Of this longing, and mans ability,
will be his usefulness and efficiency in the
world. This it is which builds railroads,
steamboats,, and telegraph lines. This it
is which lies behind and gives impetus to
the mighty press, to the factory, the mine,
or the workshop. Each individual is work
ing out or trying to work out his own de.
sres and ambition; each corporation, trades
union, farmers club, grange, council, lodge,
&C., is working for the accomplishment oil
certain ambitions; each locality, each state
and nation in the world is ever reaching
after the accomplishment of something in
the future. "There is more enjoyment il
anticipation than in participation" is a true
saying. We live in constant anticipation
The child looks with hope to the time when
he shall be young man; the youth lookl
forward and hopefully lays his plans for the
years of manhood the man in his prime
while toiing with all the obstacles he meets
looks forward to the time when, few year.
hence, he shall lay off his armor, sit under
his own vine and fig tree, and enjoy thu
fruit of his labor the aged man, when al
these hopes and joys and sorrows are in tn,
past, and he has nothing more to look fo
here below, lifts his eyes and looks beyond
the river, and the hope which has neve
changed though its objects have changed 81
often still makes bright his life by holding
up to his view the joys and bliss of tn,
world to come, and the aged tongue exclaims
, 81 shall be satisfied, when l awake, with
tny HhohesS'
1t is important that the young especially
should have their thoughts trained in tn
right direction, as the hopes and desire
formed by them now will in 4 great meas
: ure shape the course of events ten or TWEEN
ty years hence. Then to the young "
would say, ambition, true, noble ambition
is heaven-bOrn. Then lay your plans t
, accomplish something and be something
set your mark high, and with determine
persistence work, 'OOrk, WORK, until tn
mark is reached, when 10! new fields {
labor, new hopes, and new desires will
! laid open to your view, and new energy an
life will come with the sight. Thus, hO
G pleasant, how glorious is life