The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-02-14

lave trained yourself to use it in d
proper manner. The changes that |
made in the Ledger at first had the
effect of decreasing the circulation;
but before long, it increased again,
until it greatly surpassed what it had
ever been before. I have always be-
lieved that it is possible to unite sue
cess in business with strict moral
integrity. I am aware that many
people think that the ethics of bust
ness, or of politics, are quite distinct,
and that man may do things in his
public employment which he will not
think is right to do in his domestic or
private life. I do not agree with this
view, and if the record Of my life has
any value it is in showing that at least
it is not necessary to success in busi-
ness that man should indulge in
"sharp' practices. But even If it
were necessary, still it would not fol-
low that it is worth while. There are
higher satisfactions than the mere
getting of money, and riches cannot
compensate a man for the conscious
ness of having lived dishonorable
and selfish life.
Speaking of selfshness leads one to
speak of generosity. I think the
habit of generosity may be cultivated
like other habits. And I hav, felt
that it is great mistake to put off
being generous until after you are
dead. In the first place you lose the
pleasure Of witnessing the good that
you may do; and, again, no one can
administer your gifts for you as we'll
as you can do it for yourself. 1t is a
great pleasure to be brought into per-
sonal relations of that kind, and to
make people feel that you are not a
philanthropistin in the abstract but that
you are interested in them personally
and care for their welfare. In that
way you benefit them not merely in a
natural way, but you make them feel
that men are really brothers, and that
they were made to help one another.
That feeling is not only agreeable in
itself, but it will be apt to prompt
them to carry out the principle them
selves. Put yourself into all you do
and let others feel that you are there.
Do not contribute to a charitable fund,
but go yourself and help. 1t may
seem an inconvenience at first, but
soon you will come to consider it worth
any inconvenience.
Perhaps I ought to aay aword about
the companions young man should
choose for himself in life. You
should try to make companions Of the
best people you can become acquainted
with. In order to do this you must
have something in yourself that may
be a return to them for what they give
you. It is not necessary, for this
purpose, to be genius, or have a
remarkable intellect, or extraordinary
erudition. But, be yourself and be a
man, and learn to think Of. others
before yourself, and you will have
friends enough and of the best. To
be intimate with the maguanimous
and the noble aids to form those quail
ties in oneself. A man is known by
the company he keeps, and those who
know what friends you have will be
able to form very correct guess Of
what you yourself are. You should
see to it that his estimate be as high
as your opportunity may secure.
But perhaps I cannot better sum up
advice to young people than to say
that I have derived, and still find the
greatest pleasure in my life in doing
good to others. Do good constantly,
patiently and wisely, and you will
never have cause to say that your life
was not worth living.
GEORGE w. CHILDs.