Los Angeles daily herald., 1876-05-02
A WORD OF ADVICE.

1t is the easiest thing in the world
to moralize, to criticise and to say
"what might have been;" but in this
practical age it becomes us to look at
the causes of what we term evils in
society. We can but confess that so.
ciety is out of joint; that political af-
fairs are decidedly in a condition not
at all complimentary to a nation that
claims pre-eminence in the march of
progress; and while the fact must be
admitted that things are not as they
should be, it is not at all out of place
to ask whence comes the cause?
Fraud in office, reckless speculation,
looseness in social morals, bankruptcy
in business circles that were once re-
garded as stable, rule the hour. The
cause of this state of things lies simp-
ly in the disposition of the present gen.
Grafton to expand in business opera
tions, and in social life to live beyond
ones means. The rapid increase of
wealth in the hands of a few prompts
an intoxication that leads to a wild
spirit of speculation on the part of
many who cannot afford to take the
risk. Bankruptcy is the consequence.
This spirit, and the consequent evil, is
not confined to the citizen, but takes
its fountain origin even at the very
head of the Government Our fore
fathers amassed what then were re-
garded as colossal fortunes simply by
prudence in business and economy in
private affairs. They never ran in
debt, but lived within their means.
EXtravagances have of late crept into
the management of governmental af-
fairs, and society has followed the eX
ample. We have yet to learn that
economy is the only road to wealth,
and that prosperity is obtained only
by q strict observance Of the ordinary
rules of prudence. BonanZas are not
found at the base of every corn hill,
and we need not expect to find for
tune on the sprig of every bush. The
business men of our time must learn
that gradul accretion on the amount
of capital invested is the only sure
road to competence and wealth.
STEWART is an example in this re-
gard. His fortune was made by a
simple attention to the laws of trade,
and prudence in the management of
his business. DANIEL DREW, the
former millionaire, now a bankrupt,
is an example of the result of the
prevalent system of the times. There
is nothing new in these suggestions.
They are but repetition of old time,
homely truths. We must, as ma
ton, from the highest to the lowest,
turn over a new leaf, and accept the
truth of the ancient maXims that gov
erned those who laid the foundations
of our Government and our former ma
tional prosperity. To all who come to
this coast seeking new homes and
hoping for the requirement of for
tunes, we have but this suggestion to
make: Take up your small farms and
work them as you would at home.
Use the same methods that would be
adopted there, with notifications to
suit the location, and the return for
your effort will be more than satisfac-
tory. To the mechanic, the miner,
and the laborer, the same rule applies.
Steady labor, honest energy, prudence
and economy will make man start
ing with moderate means richer here
in given number of years than in
any other State in the Union. These
suggestions are appropriate in view of
the certain large immigration to our
State during the coming season.