354 THE YO UNG AMERICAN.

It is easy to see that the existing generation are conspiring with a beneficence which in its working for coming generations, sacrifices the passing one ; which infatuates the most selfish men to act against their private interest for the public welfare. We build railroads, we know not for what or for whom; but one thing is certain, that we who build will re- ceive the very smallest share of benefit. Benefit will accrue, they are essential to the country, but that will be felt not until we are no longer country- men. We do the like in all matters : —

“ Man’s heart the Almighty to the Future set By secret and inviolable springs.”

We plant trees, we build stone houses, we redeem the waste, we make prospective laws, we found col- leges and hospitals, for remote generations. We should be mortified to learn that the little benefit we chanced in our own persons to receive was the utmost they would yield.

The history of commerce is the record of this beneficent tendency. The patriarchal form of gov- ernment readily becomes despotic, as each person may see in his own family. Fathers wish to be fathers of the minds of their children, and behold with impatience a new character and way of think- ing presuming to show itself in their own son or alaughter. This feeling, which all their love and pride in the powers of their children cannot sub-