Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-12-21
The Dignity of Labor.

1t is an indication Of idleness in any mind to
be ashamed Of work. 1t is to deny the law Of
Nature, for it is universal mandate written in
tLn nnr..SSitr nf hines LA IL Aus4-lt 1t iI
face" is everything great or valuable to be ac-
complishpd. We look as in vain, to witness the
accomplishment of anything without the appi
cation Of mental or physical effort. Where are
the monuments OF creative idleness When are
the triumphs Of genius everlasting y at rest 3
They are not to be found in the past. History
the wonders Of the present. The universe is void
Of all trace Of them, for they are not, and have
not been. All that dignifed history, or makes
the present glorious, has been the same law of
work What has Lot labor done! In fact, no
thing has been done without it. 1t has builded
our cities, hoated our pavies, led our armies and
governed the nation. 1t has stored the mind Of
the student, pcnned the inspiration of the poet,
struck eloquence from tie mute marble, given
history an unforgcttil g memory, and thrown
hucs and speaking lines ot life upon an lnanlmate
canvass All this and more has labor done. 1t
has beautiticd life and made it tOlcrable With
out work, existence were dull monotonous pro-
longatlon Of days, with uaught to mark the lapse
VI UuI lHe oStS"S5 su"' ''NO
covcts the barren life full Of ease that has no
manly struggles, no doubtful hattle-heI,s no
generous thrills Rather than to be doomed to
such Dead Sea fate, we would be thrown upon
the pillows in all eternal conflict, to alternate
forever between triumph and defeat. They
whose lot is lot Of toll, in their madness often
sigh for repose and careless indulgence of the oP
uient children of Mormon. But little do they
think of the days vacant of incident, and the
nights burdened with sleep, and the ceaseless re,
turn of the fonls misnamed OF pleasures And
too lightly do they estimate the luxury Of genu
inc impulse, the consciousness Of mighty pas
sion, awakening the sublimity of life, and the
proud and satisfying repose that comes with hl'aI
triumph over temporary Ills.
We have said there is dignity in labor. Ev-
ery one has felt it, who has lent himself earnestly
at work. He has felt that his virtue was safest,
when he had thrown about it the safeguard OF
honest, unwavcring occupation. These are the
moments Of his most con- clous PRIDE
1t should be the part Of cducatio" to incucate
the love Of labor, the esteem Of lis reward and
the supremacy Of lis law. Were its tue dIgni-
tv a,prcciated, men would seek to make their
children gentlemen by making item workers.
rather than lu,,irg money int" t heir purses. 1t
idlcncss be an evil, then IS the fathers blessing
too often Il curse. Libr is not oncrous when
performed with an appreciation Of lis nature. 1t
taen becomes disuiticd and honorable elevatlng
man to his true position among the creatures OF
Omnivscrence. Neglccting this law, OF ls be
ING, he becomes an dler in a universe OF activity
and energy. He sleeps till the crisis of great
destiny is past He sells his birth-rigl't for a
day Of ingiorious ease. He dohs the pnest,Iy
garments Of Nature, and puts on i'll its stead, the
beprarly rags of an oui-cast and vagabond.