Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-11-17
MISTAKEN NOTIONS RESPECTING
rts. 30 LABOR,

II there is one subject more than another,
upon wh ich the opinions ofthe 'Ameican pub
lie requireto be set right, It appears TO US to
be- the great one of labor. We do not pretend
to assign any cause other than exist every
where,-ihe natural Tenderness of mankind TO
separate into castles, in which freedom from
labor is considered the great good, and where
necessity of submitting to it is associated with
the ideas of degradation and dependence. In
European countries, where the ancient forms
Of society tolerate such artificial distinctions,
they may be expected to prevail; where one man
is born witb golden spoon In his mouth, and
another with ~ iron chain about his neck free
dom from which is impossible, we should not
be surprised V find such erroneous ideas of la
Dor; but here, in republican America, where
every man makes or mars his own fortunes,
and is the architect ofhis own destiny, to dream
Of any other distinctions than such as merit
confers is preposterous, or TO talk of labor be-
ing disgraceful or degrading, is gross per-
version of terms. Still with such facts star
ing them in the face, there are muliitudes in
our country who have yet to learn, "that any
condition Of life is honorable, which shall per-
mit them to be independent, and preserve them
from dshonor."
II the opinion that labor is degrading, per-
sonal II Dor with the hands we mean, was
harmless error, Gf any error can be considered
such;) IL it did not have blighting and pesti-
feros influence on the prospects Of thousands
in our country, il might be allowed to pass
without notice, but such is not the case. Let
this notion become instlled into the head of
any individual, man or woman, and unless
tbeymuster phi losophy sufficient to shake it
oh,they become useless 10 society, curse 10
themselves, and not unfrequenty a burden
,Lo;r fr,cn,ls ,vould xyillinulv Shaka off hnt
cannot.
We see the influence Of this feeling in the
anxiety shown by parents to crowd their sons
into what are called the learned professions,
in preference 10 giving them sound practical
education, AMI fitting them for usefulness as
farmers or mechanics. Is the acquisition OF
wealth more general with professional men,
than with we'll informed, induslr ious farmers
or mechanicsi-lt is believed not, but the boy
and the man is hattered with the idea that he
is going 20 escape the primal curse, and that
when mixing with his fellow men, lac shall
not be classed with the common mass that toll
for their daily bread. Poor fool, il such are
his reasons for spending so many wears OF his
life, aud so much money IN Obtaining what Is
too frequently misnamed al education, he had
better been slave at the oar, for OF one II may
be said ne is useful in one way at least, while
inC btutf - NV pti1 uStttoo W tpt NpilS1 bNl
by his example serves TO perpetuate error
Educate the young as much as you please !;
but do not educate them for places where they
are not wanted; nor IN such way as 20 rem
der them worthless members OF community,
incapable Of getting a direct living ia any HON
orabe way, ii change Of circumstances or
unavoidable necessity, throw them upon their
own resources. That is rot education, at least
not such as VIC require IN this country, which
only accumulatcs 'hsiract knowledge, with
out regard 10 utility or condition, or that phys
icai OF mental training 50 Indispensable IN
country like ours.
II the pernicious influence Of this notion of
the degradation Of labor is thus percep,ible on
our young men. Il is still more fearfully mark
ed on Tie conduct and condition ofour females.
10 allparls OF ihe world, the female Of pure
mJvaE, good habits, and sound constitution
laniAles, IN short, fl 70 becomc the mothers oi
1en, such men as are 70 control Toe destinies
Of onf republic have been found inihe dOmes-
tic saaclnafies %! rural life. Trained up un-
der the eye OF Ju1icious mother; taught that
% lac Esei1l IN Whaie sef sphere they are
placed, Is one OF the duties Of woman; free
from tire contagious example OF splendid vice.
and the poisonous Influence Of the moral al
mospbere Of the city, the daughters OF tho
country should remain tie noble and pure
hearted women their mothers we're, uninieeL-
ed b. Tie prevalent absur!iiies Of tie DAY
There Is every reason 20 fear that such ls No,
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