Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-07-18
THE NOBILITY OF LABOR.
BY ORvILLE DEWEY.


I How many natural ties are there be
tween even the humblost scene of labo
, and the noblest affections of humanity
In this view, the employments of mer
muscular strength is ennobed. There
central point in every mans life, aroun
which all his tolls and cares revolve. 1t i
that spot which is consecrated by the nam
OF wife, and children and home. A secre,
an almost imperceptible influence from tina
spot which is like ne other on earth, steal
into the breast Of the virtuous laborng man
and strengthens every weary step of hi.
toll. Every blow that is struck in the
work shop and field, finds an echo in tina
holy schrino OF his affections. If he who
fights to protect his homo, rises to the poin
OF heroic virtue; no less may he who la.
bors, his life long, to provide for that home.
Peace be within those domestic walls, and
prosperity beneath those humble roofs
But should it ever be otherwise; should the
time ever come when the invaders step ap.
proaches TO touch those sacred thresholds,
| see in the labors that are taken from them,
that wounds will be taken for them, too
SEQ in every honest workman around mo a
hero.
So material do | deem this point--the
true nobility of labor moan--that would
dwell upon it moment longer, and in a
larger view. Why, then, in the great
scale of things, is labor ordained for use
Easily, had it pleased the great Ordainer,
might it have been dispensed with. The
world itself might have been mighty ma.
chinery for the production of all that man
wants. The motion of the globe upon its
axis, might have been the power to move
that world Of machinery. Ten thousand
wheels within wheels wight have been at
work ten thousand processes, more curl.
Gus and complicated than any man can de.
wise, might have been going forward with.
out mans aid houses might have risen
like an eXhalation
With the sound
OF dulcct symphonies, and voice sweet
Built like temple;
gorgeous furniture might have been placed
in them, and soft touches and luxurious
banquets spread, by hands unseen; and
man clothed with fabrics of naturo's weav-
ing, richer than imperial purple, might
have been sent TO disport himself in these
Elysian palaces. "Fair scene % imagine
you arc saying, "fortunate for us had j! been
the scene ordained for human life!' But
where then. toll me. had boon hunnon cncr.
gy, perseverance, patience, virtue, heroism?
Cut off with one blow from tho world, and
mankind had sunk to a crowd, nay, far be.
meath crowd, Of Asiatic voluptuaries. No,
it had not been fortunate. Better that the
earth be given to man as dark mass,
whereon to labor. Better that rude and I'm.
slightly materials be provided in the ore beds
and forest, for him to fashion into splendor
and beauty. Better, | say, not because of
that spendor and beauty, but because tho
act of creating them is better than the things
themselves; because exerton is nobler
than enjoyment; because the laborer is
greater than, and more worthy of honor
than the idlsr. call upon those whom
address to stand up for that nobility of labor.
1t is heavens great ordinance for human
Improvement. Let not that great ordinance
be broken down. What do sayl II is
broken down; and it has been broken down
for ages. Let it be built up again; here,
if any where, on these shores of new
world, Of new civilization. But how,
may be asked, is it broken down. Do not
men toll, it may be said They do in.
deed toll, Blu. they too generally do it be.
cause they must. Many submit to it as in
some sort, degrading necessity and they
desire nothing so much on earth, as escape
from it.
They fulfil tho great law of labor in the
letter but break it in the spirit fulfil it with
the muscle, but break it with the mind. To
some field of labor, mental or manual, eve-
ry ider should fasten, as a chosen and CO.
vetcd theatre of Improvement. But so is
he not impelled to do under the teachings
Of our imperfect civilization. On the con.
trary, he sits down, folds his hands, and
blesscs himself in his idleness. This way of
thinking is the heritage of the absurd and
unjust feudal system; under which serls la.
bored, and gentlemen spent their time in
fighting and feasting. 1t is time that this
opprobrium oftoil were done away. Asham.
cd TO toll, art thoul Ashamed of thy din
gy work shop and dusty lobor field of thy
hard hand, SCARED with service moro hon.
orablo than that of war Of thy soiled and
weather stained garments on which mother
nature has embroidered amidst sun and rain
midst fire and steam, her own heraldic hon.
ors Ashamed Of these tokens and titles,
and envious of the Haunting robes of imbe.
Gle idloncss and vanityl 1t is treason TO
nature; it is impiety to heaven; it is break.
ing heavens great ordinance. Toll, re.
peat it--toil, either Of the brain, of the hear,
or of the hand, is the only true manhood
the only true nobility.
SILK WoRMs.--Charlos L. Durant, Esq
of Jersey City, has very extensive CO
cooncry, and is steadily prosecuting his en-