Democratic banner., 1850-08-12
UNITY, MISSOURI, MONDAY, AUGUST ls 1850.
"7HE LEARNED PROFESSIONS. +"

i II cannot be denied that there is much
truth in the following comments ofthe New
Orleans Crescent upon "LeGrned Pro-
fessions." Like the Crescent we have
known members Of the learned profess
ions who were not only incapable Of writ
ing sentence grsmmaticslly, but whose
spelling would disgrace an infant in pri-
mary school. But our countrymen are re.
covering from their mania upon this subject.
and the rush into the "Lea earned Professions
is gradually subsiding. Says the Cres-
cent:
"THE LEARNED PRorEssIoNs.-This term
formerly had adefnite meaning. But now
that meaning has been entirely perverted.
We have known men with licenses and d.
plomas who could not write sentence Of
English correctly. The country is over.
run with pretenders to knowledge of law
and medicine: the only onder ID that the
people manage to live and accumulate pro-
perty when surrounded by these chsrlatans.
In addition to these, there are many thorou-
|ghiy educated men deserving Of confidence
and support. But between the slams and
the reals, there are too many members Of
these professions. Just think-there are
in the United States 1900 medical students.
Certainly the country cannot support this
additional number Of physicians every year.
The lawyers ere increasing rapidly, though
it is impossible to ascertain the number Of
students, as they are not compelled to at
tend law schools.
"All this is great evil It can only be
remedied BY convincing young men that
other occupations, equally respectable, pay
better. Dr.. Riddle, in his lecture before
the Lyceum, stated that there wss defici-
|ency Of scientific men in the country. We
have not enough Of engineers to meet the
demands Of the times. The engineer who
devotes himself to the theory as we'll asl
the practice Of physical science is sure Of
high remuneration, and adds to the knowl-
edge Of the world. To throw bold arch
over some yawning abyss-to curb tuI-
bulent river with granite bits and compel
it to lend its unwilling strength to the help
of msn-to cut tunnel through the noun
tsin-thsss are nobler labors than to make
the finest argument ever heard in 9 court
house.
"But besides this, our country wants the
expenditure Of physical labor rightly direc-
ted by educated minds. If half the young
men now studying professions. or confined
in counting rooms, were preparing them
selves for the labors which require mech
anicsl skill and scientific attainments, the
country and themselves would be the gain.
ers. The fault falls too frequently on the
parents. An instance 10 at this moment
under our observation. A small planter
in the neighborhood Of the city began life
with Gan arpent front" and two negroes
He worked in the field, and the wife Wor-
ked in the house. Year BY year be incress-
ed his force-his slaves worked chserfully,
for he shared their labors. He grew rich.
His sons, instead Of being taught to work,
had their horses, dogs and guns. They
were gentlemen. The old couple died rich.
In q few years the estate which had been
accumulated by the labors of lcng lifeI
were gone, and too children, ignorant of
any trade whatever, are in most misera-
BILE condition.
"During the same time, another man inl
this city followed the laborious trade ofthe
blacksmith. In time his forge and anvil
enlarged into the foundry, where he carried
on the most extensive operations. He too
had sons, but instead of being brought upl
to idleness andgent,l,iy, they learned their
fathers business, and when bis labors ceas-
ed, the blast was not stopped, nor did the
molten iron cool, bu. fercsr burnt the fires,
and redder glowed the metal, and quicker
fell the ponderous hammers, And the
sons proud Of their fathers trade, are now
the great machinists, of the South. Now,
Who are the gsntlemen2-who the useful
citizens?-vho tbs trus patriots?"
A CALpMNY REFyTEp.-It vas reported
in some Of the papers, that the Rev. Mr..
Hardy was keeping gambling house in
San Francisco. The Lowell American
coptEsdicts this slsnder, snd says that the
reverend gentleman 10 now injail at Lock-
on charge Of bigamy.
CALIFORNIA ENERey.-Before the late
destructive FIRE at San Francisco had cess-
ed burning, rebuilding wss under wsy-I
sills were laid In the smoking ashss-on
the dav of the fire frames were raised, andI