Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-11-01
WRONG ESTIMATE OF THE PRO.
EESSIOSS.

We think there is one radical error in A.
merican society, viz: universe! disposition
10 uoderrdie The mechanical professions, w. hen
co"lrusteu with what are termed the "Iearn.
co ptoiessions, and with aimus, all the other
avoca,ioys
! Does the rich and respectable mechanic
| --ihe artiZan--ihe urchilcct-he " ho ,.ars
our public and private edifices-thc builder
OF our ships, and the constructor Of our ca
mails aod railways-never permit a course OF
conduct IN himself, which goes directly to
take away from The respeciabiiity of the pro
iession oy which he has gained all lie pas.
sesses! When he comes 10 det idle u,on ,Ie
pain ms sons shall rursue--is il not too ol.
len The case, that an overweeniny d;sposi. inn
Is displayed To make them lawyers, doctors
ministers, merchanls-any thing but to
nring 'hem up at The respectable calling of
their parent!
And lei us ask, is not The same thing true
OF every other class in the community,
The sons of American citizens must be
educated for gentlemen. They mus, mol
learh trade, or an uit, upon which they
can always depend for respectable living.
ms would he TO lower rather than raise
mem IN The scale OF public opinon-and
nence IS II, that thousands aud thousand. OF
ooys are crowded into "tke professions. % and
'behind counters,''-to become in the end
gen'eei paupers, living upon the products OF
oiher meh's labours, rather than relying up-
on their own hands for an honest living
we repeat, II is the wrong estimate of the
comparative responsibility OF the different
pursuits, that causes so dangerous an error.
we would not stife genius nor derite learn
ing-noI DO we entertain the least tlisics,
pect 10 any profession-bui we would have
our sons taught 10 believe, and made To feel.
ihat IL Is far more honourable to learn some
hanaicfan, by The practice Of which they
can i've IN independence aud honour-than
10 DE crowded into the a!w avs overflow iny
ranks professions" which will moi Weld
their hread-and which but loo often lead 10
the entire prosiration OF the better FEELINGS
OF me human heart, in low Cunning durlic.
ity and knayery.
>, f" no are the props and pillars Of our pub
Inc edihce. who are "lhe bone and mus
cie'' o: society? We say, the MECHANICS
and husbandmen oil the land. From the
ranks OF these, too, have sprung statesmen.
philosophers and sages, who heve shed i'm
tt:s iuSire upon lie age in which ,hcy
lived II the amount of useful infei,ec,usr
attainmen.s could be correctly eslifnn,eJ-
we entertain no doubt, that the ranks of the
ih'ei'isent mechanics and agfcui,u,isis.
would carry off the palm by immense ma
jorilies "''
Then why should the almost niyersal ei
tort TO disgrace these professions. by 81
muitaneous rush into their ranks. any LONGER
prevail! Better Infinitely belter-wo;,ld
u be that our hardy, athletic youth should
shoulder the axe and away hey ond The noun.
tans-ihan, by ialse pride and false es;;
male OF true respectabi!ily, they should be
thrust INTO wrong channels, 10 disease socie
~, ond weaken The bonds OF The BODY ooli.
nc: There they might live in The irue no.
oilIty oi natuTe-culIivate their own fields
ana siumoer beneath their own cottage and,
perhaps, become the founders a. new com,
munit'es OF moral, physical and intellectual.
giants.-PhiI Mirror