The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-03
The Employer and the Employed.
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A CONTRAST.
Oh, it is excellent


abuse of wealth and position, that few
hints may, perhaps, exercise salutary IN
fuence. A sad mistake is made by many,
in supposing that because they have been
elevated by some sudden turn of fortune,
or the success of some bold enterprise,
they have therefore become superior be-
ings, and have right to look down upon
their less fortunate fellow-citizens with
contempt, and treat them in spirit OF IN
suit and despotism. They forget or lose
sight of the gentleman in the ofhcial or the
man of property. They violate or disre-
gard the principle that, no matter what
mans condition in life, he should remem-
Der that he is but man, and that his fellow
creatures, be they dependents or superiors,
have, like him, feelings and senslbilities.
The true gentleman, in the language of
distinguished prelate, should be ga gentle
man'-nothing more, nothing less. And
this gentleness should characterize all his
conduct. He should be mild and afable,
not only to his children, but to his neigh
bors-not only to his friends, but to his
servants-not only to his colleague and
compeer, but to the pauper in the aims
house and the beggar in the streets.
About year ago, we had occasion to
pass, in company with the proprietor,
through one of the most extensive manu-
featuring establishments of Philadelphia
county. There could not have been less
than two hundred hands Employed few
boys, but the great majority men, and,
among the latter, some whose heads were
whitened with the SHOWS OF sixty winters.
One or two of the principal workmen
paused to tender the compliments of the
day, as the principal approached, which
compliments were reciprocated IN the
temper of an equal and man, kindly, cor
daily, and not in that of master and
despot, as is too often the case. With the
others, bow and smile of recognition
were observable as the proprietor APP
preached, and all indicative of good feel
ing and harmony of sentiment between
the employer and employed, which fully
accounted for the deep-seated popularity
which the former enjoyed. In one or two
cases workmen would step forward for the
purpose of asking instructions, or making
inquiry as to some particular point before
them. AT such times they were listened
TO with attention, advice was given freely
and blandly, and the relation between the
parties was apparently that OF good will
and good feeling. twas so, indeed, as
we afterwards ascertained. Of the two
hundred persons engaged in the manutac-
tory at the time we visited it, one hundred
and sixty-four had been there for five
wears, more than one hundred for ten, and
a large number from the moment the es-
Enlistment was started, nearly twenty.
The principal Of the firm had accumulated
large fortune, and was perfectly able to
retire, but he remarked, when conversing
upon the subject
81 have here around me quite large family
many men who have served me faithfully and well,
and whose noble qualities of industry, honesty,
fidelity Of heart, deeply cherish and esteem To
break up the establishment would be To throw them
out Of employment. 1t is profitable and success
full and merely desire 70 retain II until can CON
fde its management To some one In whom have
confidence and who will do justice 10 the faithful
men who have been connected with it SO long, anC
who, indeed, have been the real sources OF its sue
cess"
This, we think, We may point to as
uuly comnondable EXAMPLE-onc every
way worthy of emulation and imitation
Here the employed found brother and {
friend, instead Of a master and tyrant
one who regarded them as human beings
possessed of intelligence, sympathy, anc
affection, and not as mere machines, inca.
pable of generous or gentle emotions. But.
alas! we fear that our sketch, although
from real life, does not describe the ma.
iority OF individuals similarly circum
stanced-is not the Likeness of one in fifty
of those who, by energy, perseverance
enterprise, or good fortune, have become
the heads of large establishments, and tina
the controlling power over hundreds o
their fellow creatures.
Only few months since, case some
what in contrast passed under our obser
walton. We happened TO be present wher
"one in authority" had, or sought, coca
sion 10 give a few words Of instruction tC
subordinate. The matter in hand wa:
of little importance, but the inflated func
tionary, evidently impressed for the mo
ment with his own self-consequence, ant
anxious, it is possible, TO make diPid!
before third person, was not satisfied
with giving his instructions quietly, in
subdued and mild, or even in an ordinary
tone, but he uttered them with an air, AM
in a manner so dictatorial, naughty, AM
despotic, that we were astonished as wei
As NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. that a gentlema
Of admitted ability and high positio
should so far forget what was due TO him
self and his company-and mortified a
being a witness OF the humiliation OF
fellow being. We turned for momen
towards the assailed-for we regarded IT a
little less than an assault upon his mani
ness of character, and saw that his fac
was mantled with confusion. Doubtless
he found il difficult TO smother his fee
ings, and to restrain the spirit who
prompted him to reply to the harsh an
unnecessary language Of his employer
Seeing his pain and embarrassment, W
made remark upon some other subject
thus changed the tone Of conversation
thought, and feeling, and the affair passe
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