Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-05-03
EVENING STAR.
WASHINGTON:
TUESDAY, MAY 8, 1858.
"N0TIME FOR SUCH THINGS"

obtaining readers and patrons for the paper
just started in Washington to aid the work
ing classes, called the Irrational Aduocate."
He called on one of GER citizens, and pre-
sented the claim in modest manner, mere
ly asking little subscription of three cents
a week, or twelve cents month, in aid of
the workingmen's paper. "No!" replied
the gentleman, 81 have no time to attend to
such things"
We do not know the individual from
whose lips emanated that remark. 1t is
beyond our knowledge whether he is rich or
poor, in Office or out of Office, learned or
ignorant, bond or free. There may, also, be
some extenuating circumstances of which
We are not informed, that may tend to pre-
sent the matter in somewhat different as
pect. Be this as it may, the expression is
one well calculated to elicit comment at the
hands of an Independent press.
Our only object in abiding to the subject
is to show to the community the tendency
of such remarks, and to caution all our fell
low citizens against uttering them.
1t is poor rule that will not work both
ways. If it is true that one branch of socie-
ty has no time to attend to such things"
as the improvement of another branch, then
there is no mutual obligation. If the rich
man has no time to attend to the poor man,
then has the poor man no time to attend to
the rich. Garry out this doctrine, and what
would become of society? Who would bring
the materials of dwelling together? How
could we SOW or plant our fields? In what
way could we erect our houses? or sail our
ships? run our railroad trains or fasht he
lightning along our telegraph wires?
In the light of such plain facts as these,
how selfish, how wicked, how ridiculous
does this doctrine appear! "No time to
attend to such things" as the just claims of
the laboring classes! No time to listen to
the plea of the poor No time to help Sc
cure fair price for fair days work No
time to read for the cause of the bone and
sinew of every land No time to give trife
to right the wrongs of the oppressed! Look
at it-think of it-and see how that thing
looks.
1t is no part of our design to array one
class of the community against another
We regard all our fellow citizens impair
TALLY, and would plead the just cause of
one portion with as much zeal and energy
as we would that of any other portion.
The light of the Star shines for ALL
The duty we owe to society requires that
we should hold up the honest industry of
the people. 1t is by that industry alone
that society exists. Go to the ant, thou
sluggard! and learn that lesson, if thou
didst not know it before Hank to the
humming of the bee, thou idler and prac-
tice its sweet precepts. For here is the
true secret of social prosperity, order and
happiness. In every State where the
laboring man is justly protected, there is
contentment and peace. Where honest
industry is wronged, there will be, and
there ought to be, war.
Who shall say that he has no interest in
the true welfare of the workingman? Not
the rich for they cannot live without them.
Not the brother workmen for their own
rights and interests are personally connec-
ted. Not the poor; for they are almost
wholly dependant on those who are in
better condition. All we make many sad
mistakes in this selfish world We forget our
mutual dependence on each other, and act
as if all We had could be retained to advan-
tage without consulting the general interests
of mankind. A sad error, truly! let us
hasten to correct it.
The man who says that he has no time to
attend to the upright claims of his brother
man, should remember that the hour NAV
come when that selfish sentiment may be
rigidly applied to his own case. Suppose
he were to become poor: what would he
think of the wretch who should turn away
from his pitiful cry, and say" Be off!
have no time to attend to such things -
Suppose he were lying. on a bed of Ian
gushing and sickness, and his neighbors
should pass by his door with the remark