Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-09-26
OCCUPATIONS.

The following excellent remarks from the Wa
yerly Magazine, are so strongly characterized with
good sense and practical everyday applications,
we have at once set them down as sound doc
trine
. There is most radical rror pervading society
at the present in regard to plain, honest, hardy in
industry. A greater or more foolish mistake, nev-
er associated itself with popular prejudices. than
that it is the nature Of his avocaton that gives
character and dignity to the man. For our part,
we should be sadly puzzled to discover the dis
tinction between any two fthe varied occupations
which employ the industry of man, that would
raise the operative in the one case above the one
in the other. One occupation is precisely as cred
liable in itself, and as commendabe to lis indus
trious pursuer as another, provided it be honora-
BILE. and in perfect harmony with the laws OF God
and man. Ii is the man that ennobes the occu-
patton, not the occupation that dignihes the man.
1t is well that we are not all fitted, by habit, edu-
cation, and taste, for the same arocation. How
ever, these natural divisions are by no means dis
tnctions. 1t is the diversity Of taste, together
with good and wholesome laws and regulations
that harmonic this vast workshop of intricate in
dustry, the world Without this diversity, all
would be riot and confusion, and phys power
alone would reap the benefits of labor As it is,
appropriate allotments.
The man who follows in the wake Of the plow-
share, in his striped frock, and with bronzed and
toughened hands, plants his seed-the man with
snutty face and leather apron who with strong and
vigorous sinews, swings his changing sedge from
early morn to twilight eve-or the man who bends
over his ringing lap stone the live long day, is not
the whit below the smooth faced, keen eyed mer-
chant, who follows the feminine employment OF
measuring tape and rbbon-the eagled eyed bar
rster who expounds, or rather mystifies the law,
or he whose stately tread resounds in our halls of
legislation. Still there exist in the community a
low and baneful prejudice in regard to this matter
of labor. Why. fathers now a-days must keep a
sharp eye on their sons, lest they stray from 1.-THE
learned profession" and take up the degrading oc
cupation of a mechanic, and thus entail calamity
upon the family which can never be wiped out
The daughters, too, must have maternal spy up
on their every glance and footsep, lest she be tip
ping the light o'her'ee upon some poor mcdaniel
Horrible! Why, the good lady would as soon
think of linking her daughter with Patagonian
heather as mechanic.
Are not the use Of the trowel, the anvil, the
spade, and the hammer, Just as laudable employ
ments wherewith to build up our comforts in life,
the yard stick, the pestle and mortar, or libra
ry Equally as honorable and respectable.
since they are all employed for the same purpose,
Labor is labor, whether performed in the field and
workshop, or behind the counter, and in the study
Honesty and honorable labor are the same, wheth-
er performed by the king or the peasant, by the
priest or layman; it is just as honorable in the one
as in the other, and as worthy of the respect and
admiration of the world.