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Thriftiness, American History, and You

Earlier this month, America celebrated its 236th birthday. One of the things that built this great nation was the character of the people. The charter quality of thriftiness was displayed by Robert Morris, one of our country’s founders.

Thriftiness vs. Extravagance 

Thriftiness is allowing myself and others to spend only what is necessary. There are five parts to thriftiness: I will…

Robert Morris

Robert Morris was born in 1734 in England. His father was a merchant and brought him as a young boy to America. When Morris was a young man he went into a merchant apprenticeship with a man from Philadelphia. Shortly thereafter, he became a partner in this business and soon ‘struck it rich.’ As friction with England began to happen, Morris began to be actively involved in different political groups. Soon he became a Pennsylvania delegate to the Second Continental Congress. After Congress’ decision to declare independence, he became the twenty-fourth signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Morris’ strong devotion to the War for Independence showed in his thriftiness. When he was a merchant he saved more and spent less. Therefore, he was able to meet the financial need of this country by making good use of what he already had by personally funding many of the war projects, such as supplying Washington’s army with supplies, and meeting the needs of the country  after the war. With America just beginning, it didn’t have a lot of funds and other countries were not willing to lend to us. Morris didn’t confuse what he needed with what he wanted and unselfishly gave to the needs of America. He pledged his own money and volunteered personal responsibility for part of what America borrowed. After the war, he was appointed as superintendent of finance. This was a difficult job because of the economic crisis that America was in. He had to budget his money, time, and energy very carefully, but because of his training as a merchant and commitment to the benefits of thriftiness, he was able to keep the new country afloat. Some people criticized him as being a “dictator” because he was so diligent to make good use of what he was given and didn’t indulge in extravagance spending for the country. Nevertheless, he served on the convention that framed the Constitution and President Washington offered him the position of Secretary of the Treasury in his Cabinet (he declined and became a Pennsylvanian Senator). It has been said that: “If it were not demonstrable by official records, posterity would hardly be made to believe that the campaign of 1781, which resulted in the capture of Cornwallis, and virtually closed the Revolutionary War, was sustained wholly on the credit of an individual merchant.” [1] That merchant was Robert Morris who has been appropriately called the “financer of the Revolution.” [2]

Character to Life

What about you? How can you show thriftiness this summer? Here are some ideas (the corresponding ‘I will’ for thriftiness is in parentheses to help you identify which part of thriftiness you are applying):

Those are some ideas to get you started. Robert Morris showed thriftiness 236 years ago and made history by using his ability to be thrifty and thus helped build this country. You can show thriftiness today and be a part of living history.  Journey on!

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[1] - http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=82

[2] – Know the 56 Signers; By George E. Ross

- Character information from ‘Character First!’

-Historical information from Know the 56 Signers; By George E. Ross and  http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=82

Hanna Sims, Teen Blogger

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