The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-07
For the National Era.
4" HELP

HE'LL.
There certainly inger in this republican
land some of the siliest and vilest Alterations
of social distinctions utterly alien to the prin
ciples and spirit of our institutions.
Among these, have frequently had occasion
to notice, in divers contributions to our popu'
lar literature, the exhibition of one, apparent.
ly predicated upon the notion of the utter in
feriority and dependence-th comparative Sid-
very-of the class of people Familiarity known
as Hired Help" The magazines abound in
this species of delineation the columns of the
Era have not been entirely free from it.
Washington Irving, noticing the fortunes OF
a spendthrift hero, states that he would have
got along swimmingly, had it not been for a
low conspiracy against him of the tailors and
shoemakers, those constant foes of rising great
ness and genius, who most preposterously clam
ored for the payment Of their dues.
In like manner, the writer's above alluded
to make their heroes, or, more commonly he
roines the victims of their servants, who expect
not only to be paid pittance for their labor,
but even to be treated somewhat like human
beings-having the high presumption to repu-
date that ehattel-hke demeanor so agreeable to
the Incidence, selfshness, and upstart pride Of
master" and mistress"
The West is more commonly made the scene
of these terrible tribulations. Some clergy
mans or doctors wife finds her lot cast, for in
stance, in Illinois Filled with all manner OF
false ideas of life, and unknowing how to dis
charge her household duties, she at once finds
herself involved in difficulty. She applies
among the daughters of the neighboring farm
ers for "help;;" but is Mortified to find that
her "help" has the impudence to bear herself
toward the great lady simply as towards an
equal and friend, and to expect similar treat
ment in return. The heroine finds this spirit
universal-that even the Irish and German
women have caught it. The poor thing feels
indignant; straightway her grievances are pa
raded in the pages of some magazine; and
public sympathy is invoked for her sufferings!
Now, am well acquainted with the West J;
and | pronounce this overweening vanity on
the part of employers the great source of the
difficulty in procuring "help" so much COM
planned of there There is a spirit of indie
pendence of equality, at the West, which will
brook no assumptions of superiority. And
surely it is spirit to be applauded, rather than
condemned. Let fine ladies at length learn to
it Let them cast aside their silly
airs, considering that by Natures sovereign
decree, the maid is often superior to the mis-
tress. Let them not dream of banisbing their
servants from the family table or parlor. Let
the principles Of Christianity govern in this
matter, and there can be no difficulty. 1t will
then be found that the needful help, which can
not be coerced, Or even bought, will never be
sought in vain.
In. the mean time, hope to encounter no
more such literary heroines If there is scar
,ity in that lne | would commend writers
% the other side, where the genuine article is
much more likely to be found. Mrs Gage has
'gnalized her good sense and true nobility of
by giving us lyric on "The Kitchen
Girl" and has thus opened a field well worthy
If further cultivation. IAN