The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-02-24
ENERGY.
The AAsriesa Tendency - 0seE~srL
and Oysr-~srry.

out question b most nervous race IN
civilization. Their nervousness, using
the word in its modern sense, is due To
various causes, mainly, as we think, to
their form Of government, their ever
changing circumstances, their strong
sense Of individual responsibility. their
Unborn anxiety, the extremes Of their
climate and the highly electric condi-
ton Of their atmosphere. 1t is usually
repressed, particularly by the men; but
is visible in the thin visage, the intense
manner, the pale complexion, the wist-
full air that commonly denote the ma
tional stock. One of its misfortunes is
a tendency to oyerdo, the employment
of redundant mentality, a dispropor-
tion Of "a to end, a waste, In brief,
Of vital power. What the Americans
need for their lustier health, their long
er preservation. and their increased
contentment, Is conservation of intel
lectual aud ervou force.
We like to consider ourselves a great
people, and W. have cause for such be-
lief. But we should be greater, GER
tainly happier. IL we would not contin-
ually overload our spiritual guns, and,
besides killing our game. get hurt by
their recoil. We use as much ammu-
milton for the extinction of a plover as
for bringing down a deer or a bear. and
in actual battle. which is, with most of
us, the mere effort to live, we march
further, fight harder, and empty our
cartridge boxes oftener than there is
any need. The obstacles In our path.
whether material or immaterial. are
seldom SO great or SO many as we
imagine; but we drive at them
at such a rate as gives US a certain
shock from our entirely superfiuous i'm
petus.
We are fur more prone to this dissi-
patton Of force in small than In great
things, which by the fact of their
greatness, inspire a moderation and re-
serve that are ordinarily unheeded.
Great things, indeed, are unusual, and
will pro vide for themselves by the
tranquilizing influence they exercise
and the adequacy they are likely to
lend for the occasion. But for little
things, with which everyday life
abounds, there is no mental prepara-
ton, TO pre-arrrangement, no provision;
consequently, the average American al
lows his intensity full sway In dealing
with them, and expends his ounce Of
strength On a pennyweight Of require
ment.
Waste Of nervous force is not confined
to any age, condition, or calling here.
1t begins with the cradle and ends only
with the grave. Even our babies cry
louder and longer than they need to for
any effect they may wish to produce.
They hold their breath, in their resolve
to alarm their mothers, many more
seconds than their outburst of temper
demands. When they break their
toys. they break them altogether beyond
the degree of demolition where repair
ment is possible. The child is father to
the In a fgurative sense, he cries
locder, holds his breath longer, breaks
his toys MOI ener g~etically at and after
maturity than the circumstances
may call for, and he seldom learns the
fact.
In all walks OF employment, in ali
departments of activity, the excess Of
endeayor continues, and slowly saps the
sources Of existence. The accountant
takes his cash-book and ledger too Sc
riously; the salesman makes his sales at
too high a price to himself; the mer-
chant pores too intently over his bal
a~nce-sheet; the banker worries over the
neglected opportunity for profit; the
lawyer overcharges his case; the physi-
clan frets about the patient he has lost
by strict obedience to his theory Of
treatment; the Clergyman regrets that
last years sermons were not different,
the author laments the unripeness of a
former publication. And all Of this is
waste, and, in the long run, tells So
riously upon the waster.
The Republic is a prodigal land.
Nature and fortune have ordered 1t and
its belongings on a big scale. 1t is SO
bounteously supplied, 1t has SO many
resources, that the disposition of Its
citizens may partake Of its m~uniHcence
involuntarily. They can scarcely be-
lieve themselves mortal; they are as
careless Of their health as OF their
money; they run to extremes in every
thing. II the present shows weakness,
they lean on the future. II they are
depleted in purse, or overcome with
illness, they count it merely a mishap
which no amount of prudence would
have prevented, and depend upon new
chances for restoration.
In the old world they are apt to think
a man must hold ON to his possessions,
whatever they may be; in the new we
can waste our physical and pecuniary
substance; for what we have or have
not to-day will be sure to come to-mor-
row. 1t is vain to advise them to &c
slow, to declare that they are burning
the candle at both ends, that they are
paying more than is due, that they may
yet want what they throw away con-
tinualiy. When they would be glad to
retrace their steps to undo what has
been done, it is usually too late. And