Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-05-26
Parents and their Sons.
BY EZRA HOLDEN.

We think there is one radical error in Amer
lean society, viz: universal disposition to un-
derrate the mechanical profession, when con-
trasted with what are termed the Learned pro-
fession," and with almost all other avocations
Does the rich and respectable mechanic
the ar,isan--,he archiect--he who rears our
public and private edifices--the builders of our
ships, and the constructors Of canals and rail-
ways, never permit course Of conduct III him.
self which goes directly away from the respec-
liability Of the profession by which he has gam
ed all that he possessed! When be comes TO
decide upon the business his sons shall pursue
is it no, often The case that an overweening
disposition is displayed to make them lawyers,
doctors merchants anything but to bring them
up TO the respectable calling of their parents!
And let us ask, is not the same true of ever
class in the community!
The sons Of American citizens must be edu-
Gated for gentlemen. They must not learn q
trade, or an art upon which they can always
depend for respectable living. This would
be to lower rather Than TO raise them in the
scale of public opinion-hence it is that thou
sands of BOYS are crowded into the Learned
professions" and "behind counters, to be-
come in the end, genteel drones, living upon
the products of other mems labor rather than
relying on their own hands for good and re-
spectacle livelihood.
We repeat 1t is the wrong estimate of the
comparative responsibility Of the different pur-
suits, that causes so dangerous an error. We
would not stlfie genius nor deride learning
nor do we entertain the least disrespect TO any
/ l..
TO believe and made TO feel that it is far more
honorable TO learn some handicrait, by the prac-
,ice of which they can live in independence
and honor---han to be crowded into the always
oyerflowing ranks of professions" which will
not Weld them bread---and bul TOO often lead to
the entire prostration of the better feelings oil
the human heari---in low cunning, duplicity and
knavery.
! Who are the props and pillars of our public
edince! Who are The bone and muscle of So
ciety? We say, the mechanics and husband
men Of the land. From the ranks of these two,
( have sprung statesmen, philosophers, and sages,
who have left imperishable luslre upon the age
! in which they have lived. If the amount OF
USEFUL a;,anments could be correctly estima-
ted, we entertain no doubt, that the ranks of the
intelligent mechanics ard agricnlturists would
carry off the palm by immense maorities.
/ Then why should the almost universal effort
TO disgrace these professions, by simultane-
Gus rush into other ranks, any longer prevail
Better---infnilely better would it be---that oul
athletic, and hardy youth should shoulder the
axe and away to the lorests---than by false
estimate of true Responsibility, they should be
thrust into wrong channels, to disease society,
and weaken the body polite. There they
might live in the nobility of nature---cultvate
their own fields, and slumber beneath their own
cottage; and perhaps become the founders of
new communities OF moral, physical, and intel
leclual giants.