Plodding v. Smartness.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4984, 17 April 1889, Page 2

Plodding v. Smartness.

In an article under the above heading the New Zealand Times says ! It cannot be denied that the faculty of mere “ smartness ” is almost deified in these colonies as it is in the United States. Too often the principle upon which people all but avowedly act is that “ smartness ” up to any degree of sharp practice is not only permissible bub commendable. So long as a man does not actually infringe the law—or at any rate is not found out in so doing—any advantage that ho may take of another person is looked on very, leniently, indeed is usually lauded as admirable cleverness, showing the performer to be a truly “ smart ” and rising man who will "do well ” and “ get on.” To make money by such practices, or by rash, and often indefensible, speculations—nay, by the most reckless “ plunging ”is deemed by many the only sorb of business career that is worth pursuing. To be content with gradual progress by legitimate earnings and their prudent investment is disparaged as an utterly slow and miserable and poor-spirited and cowardly course of action. The mere “ plodder ” is, as a rule, spoken of, at the best, in terms of contemptuous pity, more often is derided as an incapable fool who will never do any good in the world either for himself or for anybody else. He is not the man who gratifies his friends as well as himself by “cutting a dash,” by “ living like a fighting cock,” by entertaining his friends and acquaintances with prodigal liberality, by “ have a fling at whatever. is going," and by “ scattering the shiners ” generally in royal style. .That is the sort of man who is “ popular.” Ho is resolved to “ make a splash ”or a “ bust.*’ And very often “ bust ”it is. He then goes to the Bankruptcy Court amid the warm sympathy of his largo circle of acquaintances, and is very gently dealt with by his creditors, who cannot help feeling a degree of tenderness for one who has “ spent money so freely,” and been so *' enterprising" even at their expense, and so he gets off very lightly, to start afresh in the same groove. We do not think it can bo candidly denied that this habit of thought is by far too much the rule in America and in the colonies. And it is assuredly michievous in its effect on the public character. The impression that almost anything will be forgiven but a lack of “ smartness ” cannot but bo prejudicial to the preservation of those high instincts of honour and probity which have been creditably associated with the British name,