The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1892-12-10
ITS USE AND ABUSE.

Ine QeaGn OF Mt 0df ooui@ h"'
furnished the text for many long edl-
torial sermons in the press against the
prevailing ambition in the minds OF
American youth of. accumulatlng
wealth by any means or at the sacri-
fee of many of the pleasures OF life.
These sermons are well-timed, and es-
pecially so when the possessor OF a
colossal fortune passes out Of existence
without leaving behind him the least
kindly remembrance, except with the
immediate members of his family. Ii
Mr.. Gould had devoted his wealth,
like Peter Cooper, or other philan-
thropists, for the amelioration of his
fellow man, his memory would have
been cherished by posterity, and the
world would have been much better
for his having lived; but, as it is, 1t
gave no comfort or happiness except
TO himself, and the monument which
marks his last resting place will re-
ceive little veneration. That he was
an extraordinary man, is demonstrated
by bis executive ability and financial
management in accumulatirg such i'm
mense riches from such an humble be-
ginning; but if these faculties had
been in youth bent in different dl'
rection he would have accomplished
more lasting good, and would have
been moreshonored and lamented in
his death.
But the ambition to acquire riches
in the youthful mind, and in which
Mr.. could proved himself so success
full, cannot be blamed while money is
considered the only passport to social
and politica honors in this country.
1t seems to be the "open sesame" to
the higher plane of existence, and the
philosopher in home spun occupies a
lower position in the opinion OF man y
than the ignorant ass in broadcloth.
The ancients first discovered the truth
Of the old aphcrism, "The love OF
money is the root Of all evil" While
poverty is considered criminal and
wealth legitimate excuse for vice, 1t
will so continue, and men and women
will strain every nerve to hoard up
the shining dollars. So long as stand
ing in society, position in politics, and
exemption from the ordinary burdens
incident to an honest life can be pur-
chased by gold, the highest desire of
all will be in that direction. In this,
Mr.. Gould has simply successfully car
ried out the mbition of nearly every
schoolboy and schoolgirl IN the land,
of many statesmen and scholars, Of
Legislators aud lawyers, of some Judges
and divines, and he is pattern wor-
thy of their imitation. The end justified
the means with him as it does with
them. They will never reach the
hight he attained, and may employ less
fruitful ways; but the same hopes and
heart -yearnings after the accomplish
ment of the object permeate them as
him, am like him they sacrifice every
pleasure in life and tread under foot
the better and higher feelings of them
selves and fellows in this unceasing
race after the golden guinea.
But money is necessary in every
walk of life, and its possessor has the
means of accomplishing great good. It
should be used as the means to accom-
plish desirable ends, and not the only
object of human existence, to which
all others are to be slavishly subser-
Went. The man who has not suf-
Gcient appreciation Of its value to
provide for himself and family, under
favorable circumstances, has no claims
upon society and very meagers right
to exist at all. 1t is an excellent
but, es master, it brutalizes
every feeling in the human heart;
blunts the sense of honor and integ-
rity, and gives free vent to passion,
dupliclty and vice. There are many
noble attalnments, the acquisition Of
which raises the man or woman to a
higher plane of existence, which may
be acquired by its use; hut its pos
session alone leaves one as poor in
mind and soul as when he Was Dor n
into the world.