The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-17
The Secret OF Success.
Jerusalem Street, May lst, 1893.

AS a general thing, the merchant
who has made millions Of dollars, when
explaining bis success, does not take
into account that most of his audience
are not born with the same gifts as
himself, and therefore cannot properly
apply his rules. But it is always edl-
flying and interesting to hear from ex-
traordinary men when they make a
sincere effort to analyze their careers.
And so, the college address of the emil
nent Andrew Carnegie, who has made
$1,000, 900 in manufacturing iron and
steel, cannot fail to attract attention.
Mr.. Carnegie states emphatically
that any legitimate business in this
country will yield a fair profit if it re-
ceives the unremitting and exclusive
attention and all the capital of capa-
bic and industrious men. Times of
depression and loss will come, but the
skillful and persistent man can count
upon more successful than unremuner-
ative years. The prime condition OF
success, the great secret, according TO
Andrew Carnegie, is to concentrate
your energy, thought and capital ex-
clusively upon the business in which
you are engaged: Having begun in
one line resolve to fight 1t out on that
line; to lead in it, adopt every i'm
provement, having the best machinery,
and know the most about it."
Ifmen fail, therefore, it is chiefly
because they have "scattered their
brains and capital"
We have had dinned in our ears,
from time immemorial, not to "put ell
our eggs in one basket"; but the new
evangel of Mr.. Carnegie is to do that
very thing. II tell you," he says, "put
all your eggs in one basket, and then
watch that basket. Look round you
and take notice; men who do that do
not often fail. 1t is easy to watch and
carry the one basket. 1t is trying to
carry too many baskets that breaks SO
many eggs in this country. He who
carries three baskets must put one on
his head, which is apt to tumble and
trip him. One fault Of the American
business man is lack Of concentration" "
These are the supreme rules of the
great iron and steel king, but he formu-
lates minor but most salutary bylaws.
He bids the young merchant to aim
high; to keep sober; never speculate;
never indorse beyond your surplus cash
fund: make the firms interest yours;
break orders always to save owners;
keep the expenditure always within
revenue; lastly, do not be impatient,
for, as Emerson says, mo one can
cheat you out of ultimate success but
yourself"
Mr.. VIM. T. Walters, in bringing the
great French sculptor Barge to the at
tention of Americans, demonstrated
that "genius was labor" And, on
somewhat the same line, Andrew Car
negie congratulates young men that
thew have been .'born to the ancient
and honorable degree of poverty which
renders it necessary that you should
devote yourselves to hard work." 81
the same time, he does not hesitate tc
declare that the sons Of rich men, who
are worthy inheritors OF parental opu'
lence deserve the highest credit, mucn
more indeed than words caD express
But. adds Mr.. Carnegie, "look cut thai
some boys poorer, much poorer, than
yourselves, whose parents can moi
afford to give them the advantages ol
a course in this institute, advantages
which should give you a decided Lead
in the race, look out that such boys &c
not challenge you at the post and pass
you at the grand stand. Look out 1o'
the boy that has to plunge into wors
direct from the common school, ano
who begins by sweeping out the othce
He is the probable dark horse tna'
YOU had better watch"
Such is the wise counsel of trl'
umphant merchant to young men who
are beginning their careers and who,
like the majority Of American boys,
desire wealth and power. 1t cannot
be doubted that money is tremendous
leverage, and that the want OF it often
battles the bravest spirit and hilghts
the noblest ambition. But it is also
true that many of the children OF men
cannot acquire riches, do what they
will. It is equally true that some OF
the most toiling and self-sacrihcing OF
mortals have reached fame and lived
and died poor. And yet, the lesson o.
the old Seotchman, whose lair IS IN
Pittsburg, where he made his Millions
need not be lost upon any one. IL Is
the concentration of all faculties upon
one pursuit, unfagging industry, tenn
perate habits and eternal vigilance.
Some who practice those virtues will
become millionaires. Some will in
scribe their names upon the scroll OF
fame. Some will lay up treasures IN
heaven. The man who can win all
three crowns-wealth, distinction and
paradise-is indeed equal to angels, and
in no sense lower than them.
MARYLAND factory states that It