Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1838-03-15

life to provide for that home Peace he
within those domestic walls, and prosperity
beneath those humble roofs! But should il
ever be otherwise; should the time ever
come when the invaders step approaches
to touch those sacred thresholds, see i'm
the labors that are taken for them, that
wounds will he taken for them TOO, see
III every honest workman around nrc Il
hero.
So material do deem this point, tic
true nobility of labor, mcan-thatl would
dwell upon 1t moment longer, and in II
larger view. Why, then, in the great scale
OF things, IS labor ordained for us! Easily
had 1t pleased the great ordainer, might ir
have been dispensed with. The world its
elf might have been mighty machinery
for the production Of all that man wants.
the motion OF tho globe upon its axis M ish,
nave been the power 10 move tha, world Of
! machinery. Ten thousand wheels within
wheels might have been al work ten thou
sahd processes, more curious aud comp;.
Gated than man can devise, might have
been going forward without mans aid.
houses might havo risen like an exllala,on.
'With the sound
Oi dulcet symphonies and voices sweet.
Built like Il temples"
Georscous furniture might have been placed
IN them, and soft couches and Luxurious
han1uets spread, by hands unseen, Il man.
clothed with fabrics Of natures weaving.
richer than imperial purple, might have
bcen sent to disport himsclfin these EIysiun
palaces. Fair scene!' l imagine VOL,
are saying; "for,unat0 for us, had it been
the scene ordained for human lifc!' Bur
where then. tell me. had becn human encr-
gv, perseverance, patience, virtue, hcro,sm1
Cut OFF with one blow from the world: and
mankind had sunk TO a crowd, nav, far be-
ncath the crowd of Asialic voluptuaries.-.
No, it had not been fortunate. Better thar
tie earth he given to man as 4 dark mass.
whereon TO labor. Better that rude and
unslst:iy materials be provided in the orc.
bed and the forest, for him to fashion into
splendor and beauty. Better | say. not
because of the splendor and beauty, but
because The act creating them is better than
the things themselves, because exertion is
noolcr Than enjoyment; because the laborcr
IS greater and more worthy of honor than
Inc ldieL ! call nnon those whom ] ad
IL Is heavens great ordinance for human
Improvement; letnot that great ordinance
he drokcn down. What do I saw? II, 10
broken down: and it has been broken down
ior ages. Let it then. be built up acain =:
here, if any where, on these shores of n
new world-of n new civilization. R,t
how may be asked is it broken down. Do
not men toll II may Le said? They do in.
deed toll. but they too generally do it because
thcy must Many submit to it as, i'm some
sort, degrading necessity; and tiey de-
sire nothing SO much on earth as escanc
from it. They fulfil the great law of labor
III The letter, but break it in spirit; fulfil il
with the muscle, hut break it with the mind.
10 some field Of labor, mental or manual
every idlcr should fastcn, as a chosen md
converted theatre of amusement. Bur 81
Is he not inpcllcd to do under the teaclincs
of our imperfect civilization. On the con.
trary, lie sits down; folds his hands. and
biesses himself i'll his idlcness. This way
OF thinking is the heritage Of the absurd and
unjust icudal system. under which scrfs Ia
bored, and gentlemen spend their lives in
lighting and feasting. 1t is time that his
opprobtium of toll were done away. Asho
med of the dingy workshop and dusty field
labor; of thy hard hand, Scared with scr.
wee more honorable than that of war: of
Thy sollcd and weather stained garments.
on which mother Nature has cmbroiderci
midst sun and rain, midst fire and steam
her own heral'lric honors! Ashamed of
these tokens aud titles, and cnvious of the
haunting robes of imbecile i,lencss and
vanity! 1t is treason TO nature; it is inn
piety 10 heaven; it is breaking heavens
great ordinance. Toll. repcat-toH ei-
thcr OF the brain, of the heart, or of tho
hand. is the only true manhood, the only
true nobility!