Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-07-30
PLAQUENIINE, PARISH IBERVILLE, JULY 3d. 1853.
The Dignity Of labor

common commodity There is an exceedingly
plentiful amount of worldly sympathy at the
present Gay for working people, hence great
swelling articles about the ''dignity of labor"
are paraded with extraordinary frequency and
in prolific abundance. Being the protessed ad-
vocates of industry, we at once say that there
is neither dignity nor disgrace connected with
labor-mcrtal or physicial-in itself apart from
the object oflabor. If physical labor is Of a
dignifymg nature, then the horse, OK, and
steam engine possess greater amount OF 1t
than man, If mere mental labor is Of a dignity
ing nature in itself, then torgers and plotting
gamesters must stand on very elevated posi~
tions on the ladder of dignity. The majority Of
articles which we have read on the dignity OF
labor are calculated to deceive our working
people; it is for them they are intended, and
their tendency is injurious. ldleness is an evil,
and industry as its counterpart is righteous
duty, but at the same time, intense labor IN
any cause, or at any business, whereby evil is
done, cannot dignity the actor, however assid-
uously he may toll to accomplish his infamous
ends. Mechanical and mental toll are honora~
Bile and digni6ed only because of the aims and
objects of the laborers; the noble man (not
titled confers dignity upon the labor in which
he is engaged-the labor cannot confer dignity
upon him.
We know it is no uncommon feeling among
all classes of rich and poor, to make wide dis
tinctions, one looking down or up to another
because of its particular profession or trade
Great excellence in mechanism, skill OF hand,
and mental ability will always command adml-
ration, but the feeling we would desire to see
generally cultivated is respect for all wise and
honest men irrespective Of their kind OF labor.
At the same time let us say that this teengs
more prevalent than some frothy philanthroplsts
would have US believe. The great difficulty
with MANY men, is to make them respect them
selyes-they have not the correct idea OF true
dignity. A man cannot always choose his trade
or profession, but he certainly can choose his
character. 1t is as easy for mechanic to be a
gentleman, and work amid oil, steam, and iron
every dav, as it is for man who is worth his
tens of thousands. 1t is also as incumbent up
one very American mechanic to be gentleman,
as if he were minister Or professor; there IS
no excuse for any of our mechanics being less
than gentlemen, and certainly some of them are
much finer gentlemen than many who ride in
their carriages "'Tis worth that makes the
man." and nothing else. Every man should
live in such an atmosphere as to feel ndepen-
dent of his kind Of labor, his dignity lies in his
characteristic man.
To every working man we would say, look
upon yourself with respect; be intelligent, ho-
nest. industrious, with grace in your speech and
conduct, and never give yourself thought
about the dignity of labor. II you are poor,
none but fools will look down upon YOU as
wanting in dignity because of your kind of la
Dor. If man is poor, not by his own fault, it
is his misfortune; he cannot help that. A man
may also be very illiterate from the lack of op-
portunties to improve his mind, that is also
not his fault; if he strives to do well, he labors
with dignifed aim, and for this he should be
respected.
In civilized communities, intelligent and mo-
raj worth exert the greatest influence; it is a
law of the mind, that the civil qualities COM
mand respect, and for this reason, we often,
as part of our duty, have to direct the attention
of many of our readers to those qualities which
dignity the man, in order that they may not be
led astray from the true path of duty. At the
present day there is no excuse for ignorance on
the part of any young man in America, whatev-
er his occupation may be-whether mecban-
ic or merchant; if he is not intelligent he is
wanting in an essential element Of true dignity.
-Scientifc American