The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-07-16

Choice Of Business.

One OF the greatest difficulties a young
man encounters in his teens" and some
times the matter is postponed to later Pc
ROD, is the selection of business for him.
self So many relatives and friends, to say
nothing of the scores Of advisers, are to be
consulted, and so many important interests
to be weighed, that a trade or profession
4 might sometimes well-nigh be leaned, while
deliberations about it are pending.
! Few persons but have a natural bias for
some particular Occupatien, and though we
would be far from counsellihg that a young
man or boy should in all cases, be allowedtO
pursue the bent Of his OwR iaclination,- or
suffered to please himself only insthe choice
lof an occupation, still there is often much
wisdom in parents studying the dispositions
of their children, and thereby being able, if
expedient, to second, rather than oppose the
i"turn" of their minds. 5tte es.-rf 1 !.
! The chief difficulty with parents often
times is pride They forget to measure their
importance in community by the humble
beginnings, and the yearsof labor and eoona
omy by which it has been secured. They
desire still higher advancement for their
children, but unfortunately neglect to school
them in the principles of industry and sppli-
cation, the only sure means to attain that
object. The son perhaps inherits all the
business qualities of the father, and would
make an excellent salesman or first rate
mechanic, but very poor doctor or an or
dinary lawyer Hence, by his education
for the latter, he loses the chances of both,
and becomes good for nothing in either situA
alton. We are glad, however, to perceive
that gradual, though decided change Is
working in this false pride of American pa
rents. And it is to be hoped that in few
years our country will be as highly distin-
guishcd for the superior excellence Of its me-
chanics, and the enterprising character of its
business men, as it is now remarkable for
the great number of professional young men
with which it is now flooded. tts
| Another difficulty lies with young men
themselves. Among the many mistaken
motions they entertain, none is more COM
mon than an exaggerated estimate of their
own abilities. A young man imagines him.
self an orator, and straightway betakes him-
self to the ministry or law Heis ashamed
of an humble though honorable oeeupatioR--
he aims at something more HONORABLE
! Alas how many a valuable life has either
been entirely lost or shamefuly perverted by
that same word, honor This self esteemis
laudable enough in its place, but when it;
leads possessors into eXtrayagant notions Of
! themselves and an inferior opinion of others,
! it becomes intolerable. Young men are apt
to view their elders and themselves with Just
such observation-disclosures and business for
their fathers-professions for themselves.
We would by no means be understood as uR-
decorating the learned professions. Farfrom
! it no one holds them in higher estimation.
But we would have every young man choose.
an occupation suited to his natural taste and
abilities, and not according to the foolish nos
I ton that a trade is disreputable, or that the
mere distinction of professional title makes
the man better or more worthy Of respect
The mechanic and the lawyer or doctor stand .
on the same broad platform in this country
Of Democratic institutions, and the one may
render himself as worthy Of respect. and emf II
nence as the other. Our government is no I
lrespector of persons Miners Soutsot, f,