The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-11-30

Education In Science and In Knowl-
edge in Trade, the True Means Of
the Emancipation Of Labor.

| the Emancipation Of Labor.
The lack Of education and knowl.
edge of business among operative me-
chanics, is the great evil Of this nge.
Without that. no mechanic eau nppropri-
ate the advantages of his own skill and
labors. The fact, that fortunes are ac-
cumulated out of the skill OF those, who
pass through life in comparative indi-
gence by men, who never learned the
first rudimeut Of the business which they
advertise ard carry on shows a dcfc-
iency in those who thus become the
serfs, and part Of the trading capital
of cumulative wealth, that should com.
nand the seri,us attention of political
economists, and secure an earnest ell
quiry Of the remedy to be sought A
sound education so reduced to practical
habits of business, as to inspire a pcrso-
nal SELF confidence, is the great remedy
in this case, but this is scarcely avaia.
bic except with the next generation. a
majority of our operative mechanics have
their habits and ideas circumscribcd to
the limits Of their daily toll. beyond
this, they neither possess confidence in
themselves, nor ask the confidence Of the
public. Aud if they did, aud actual,
obtained it, they would be us the mcrcst
children in its use aud improvement
The friend who trusted his capital to
their management, would stand nine
chances in ten to lie Paid by decree il
Bankruptcy
When .hero is all Inherent incompe-
tcncy for business on the part Of the
mechanic, he is utterly without remedy
against the competitor in the labor mar.
ket of his line. Strikes but increase the
evils of his position, and trades unions
aud societies can mover make him mas
ter of himself or of his own resources.
If the mechanic is young he may by a
severe purpose, rigidly pursued supply
the defects Of his education, and though
appreciating practical knowledge Of the
trade department of his line Of business,
he may be able to purchase bis own stock
and dispose of his manufactured articles
at reasonable prices, and 50 become Us
it were the master Of himself But if
his habits have become settled on the
model of a mere operative. and he never
has conceived higher purpose in life,
he must finish life as he has begun
But he need not leave his children to
the samo scrfdcm to which he is bound.
la this country of free schools. where
the means Of light and knowledge are 80
various and abundant, it is brutal faith
cr, that would deprive his child of the
only Inheritance he can leave him, and
the only means of emancipation from the
dependence which he himself feels to be
50 severe a burden.
Above every interest to be sought or
appreciated, let operative mechrncs af-
ford their children the means Of an cdu,
cation.
If these children rise above the cir
cumstanccs or condition of the parents,
it will be through this, as a primary
means. Besides, education promises
success in other departments in life, to
which person may not have been es-
pccially bred The fact that four ffths
of the successful busincs. men of our
cities, were bred to different pursuits,
than those in which they have attained
wealth and distinction, shows the utility
| of education, that has fitted these men
to take advantage Of times and circum
stancs for their establishment and succcss
in business The fact that many of our
intelligent business men change their
business and successfully engage in new
pursuits, shows the nature and extent of
the facilities which our country affords
to practical intelligence in the pursuits
of competency or fortune.
Tue school is the great remedy for
the social evils of society, without it the
care of those in subordinate pursuits is
hopeless--with it, and with Gods blcs.
sing. every desirable good may be at
! tainod S