Year: 1874

ent of giving you my hard.earned business
experience.


The problem of success has been to me a
lifetime study. l have read the biographies
and studied the characters of many of the
successful men Of the old and new world, and
have gone to- the wisest man of ancient times
to receive his testimony. | have also been a
close observer of the conduct of those with
whom 1 have had business transactions, and
have watched with no small degree of inter-
est, the causes which led to the failure of so
many. BY this precaution avoided the rock
on which they foundered Health is one of
the greatest blessings of life, and is essential
to success. Apart from an attack Of yellow
fever, in 1852, I have not been detained one
day from my business during the past thirty
six years. | say then, with health and the
blessings of Providence upon your labors,
there is no reason why every young man pres
ent should not succeed.


But success, my friends, in any avocation,
does not mean play. No man will succeed un-
less he possesses resolution, and ardent desire
to excel, whether he be in pursuit of wealth,
knowledge or fame. Industry and persever-
ance are the two great essentials to success.
Application and watchful improvement OF
opportunities will accomplish much But let
me urge upon you, above all things, character
character inspires confidence; it is the noblcst
possession man can have. Build upon tit
is sound and solid soundation and not only
so, butt carries with it power and influence
that always tells. 1t is a better legacy for
your children than stocks and bonds. Young
men should see to it that they SOW good seed
by all means excluding vild oats ; for, "wlat.
soever a man soweth, that shall lie also reap"


A safe means of building up character is to
practice the virtues of frugality, temperance
and honesty. Apart from any future account
ability and your obligations to your Maker,
honesty is the best policy. Strive, as near as
poor human nature will allow, to do unto
others as you would have them do unto you.
Establish a reputation for uprightness,
promptness and fair dealing, and you are on
the high road to success. Let all your trans
actions be based on integrity, and make your
word as good as your bond. Ifyou labor un-
der disadvantages, overcome them by patient
and untiring application. Work diligently
while you have youth and activity. Remem-
ber there is much in starting right; one false
step ruins the prospects Of many young man
for life What duty soever may be assigned
you-ifit is sweeping the ofice-.see to it that
your work is .veN done. Neglect not any
matters of detail, however small, and strive to
be accurate.


Some of you know how my patience has
been tried, when you have sent to our CORES
pondents rice, when they ordered sugar.
Method, too, is important, and will enable you
to accomplish much to your own satisfaction,
and the satisfaction of those with whom you
have business transactions. Never leave for
tomorrow, what should be done to-day nor
for another to do, what can be done by your
self. Procrastination is tormenting enemy,
and disorganizes prosperous business, and
puts many home into confusion. Economic
time as you would money-never have an idle
hour nor all idle dollar.


BY iudicious management nothing need be
more certain than success but without it,
the best opportunities may be lost, forever.
This is not the time to be looking for lion
in the path. We do not like to see young men
timid and dcspondent much less to see them
like the sluggard, asking for little more
sleep, little more slumber, a little more fold
ing of the hands," An easy, luxurious life
does not comport with the teachings of the
Bible, neither does it train men to overcome
difficulties You must all "work while it is
day, for the night cometh when no man can
work."


The man who is dilligent, whatever his vo-
cation may be, is far happier than ne who
spends his life in ease. "Six days shalt thou
labor" is one of the mmutable laws of God,
and he who attempts to evade it pays the
penalty. fyou desire wealth, begin to save
while you are young, and lay up something
every year. To aid you in this, we are Or
ganizing savings bank, in which you may
deposit your small earnings. 1 have, with
reluctance, taken the presidency. My friends
think that I need occupation Having un-
dertaken it, our best efforts will be exerted to
make the Carolina Savings Bank or Charles
ton success 1t shall be a safe bank, in
which the young and the old can place their
money. We need more banking capital to
build up the waste places of Charleston the
high rates of interest have been hindrance
to the commercial, manufacturing and agrl-
cultural interests of the city and State. The
late war was a political earthquake that
shook the Southern States from centre to cir
cumference, laying in waste the fairest portion
of creation. Three thousand millions value
in slaves, and as many millions of dollars in
currency, banking capital, bonds and the like,
were swept out of existence at the surrender
of Lee. While those misfortunes were over
whelming to the old men, their sons must not
succumb, but struggle manfully to restore the
country to its former prosperity. The old and
middle-aged have not, as a general thing,
been able to adapt themselves to the changed
state Of affairs dependency has laid its
frigid hand on them, paralyzng their energies
Some Of our young men are averse to slow
accumulations their heads are filled with
scheming speculations Hundreds and thous-
ands" are insignificant in their eyes; they
look for a few lucky turns Of the wheel OF
fortune to make them millionaires they hope
to cope successfully with Stewart, Astor and
Vanderbilt.


Successful business men are never dazzled
by wild speculations. Fast living, fast horses
and wine bibbling have no charms for them.
Some young men-(of course I do not mean
any Of you )-spend money before it is earned.
Such a habit will not lead to success, but may
to ruin and disgrace. Before I close, let me
say word to the youth Of the country upon
the subject of deserting their native soil.
Much could be said, but l see with us honored
guests from whom we shall all be glad to hear.
1 must therefore, hurry to conclusion.


But a word about deserting ones country.
Immediately after the war there was such an
overturning of society, that I was not sure the
South would be q desirable place in which to
live. The welfare of my children was, of