But I am not through.  Our young men shall hear more startling things.  We surpass England in having higher mountains, deeper rivers, greater cataracts, and larger armies.  Yea, we have surpassed it in magnitude of swindles.  I wish to unfold before the young men of the country, and before those in whose hands may now be the price of blood, the wide-spread, ghastly, and almost infinitely greater wickedness of the gamblers in oil stock.  Now, the obtaining of lands, the transporting of machinery, and the forming of companies for the production of oil, is just as honorable as any organization for the obtaining of coal, iron, copper, or zinc.  God poured out before this nation a river of oil, and intended us to gather it up, transport it, and use it; and there were companies formed that have withstood all commercial changes, and continued, year after year, in the prosecution of an honorable business.  I have just as much respect for the man who has made fifty thousand dollars by oil as I have for him who has made it by spices.

Out of twelve hundred petroleum companies, how many do you suppose were honestly formed and rightfully conducted?  Do you say six hundred?  You make large demands upon one’s credulity; but let us be generous, and suppose that six hundred companies bought land, issued honest circulars, sent out machinery, and plunged into the earth for the rightful development of resources.  To form the other six hundred companies, only three or four things were necessary:  First, an attractive circular, regardless of expense.  It must have all the colors and hues of earth, and sea, and heaven.  Let the letters flame with all the beauty of gold, and jasper, and amethyst.  It must state the date of incorporation, and the fact that “all subscribers shall get the benefit of the original undertaking.  While it does not make so much pretension as some other companies, it must be distinctly announced that this is a safe and permanent investment.”  The circular must state that “there are a goodly number of flowing wells, and others which the company are happy to say have a very good smell of oil.”  “The books will be open only five days, as there are only a few shares yet to be taken.”  Connected with this circular is an elaborate map, drawn by the artist of the company.  Never mind the geography of the country.  Our map must have a creek running through it, so crooked as to traverse as much of the land as possible, and make it all water-front.  “Ah!” said one man to his artist, “you make only one creek.”—­“Well,” said the artist, “if you want three creeks you can have them at very little expense.  There—­you have them now—­three creeks!”

Then the circular must have good names attached to it.  How to get them?  The president and directors must be prominent men.  If celebrated for piety, all the better.  The estimable man approached says:  “I know nothing about this company.”—­“Well,” says the committee waiting on him, “we will give you five hundred dollars’ worth of shares.”  Immediately the estimable man begins to “know about it,” and accepts the position of president.  Three or four directors are obtained in the same way.  Now the thing is easy.  After this you can get anybody.  Ordinary Christians and sinners feel it a joy to be in such celebrated society.