Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-10-28
NUMBER 40.
TIE NOBILITY OF LlBDp.

lhIs is text on which eoquence may
dwell, and argument, sound and serious.
be deduced. |! is fact amontablv true
TOO true we fear for the good of tho
country--lhai there is a feeling conlinu-
ally on the increase, that manual labor is
ignobIe, and worthy only of slavo.-
Gentlemen too frequently are Judged by
the texture Of the coat thew have on their
back, b. tho delicacy Of their hands, and
tho fairness Of their skin; while in truth
II is tho heart that constitutes the true
gentleman, and the raimant a man wears
is no more test of bis genlity than the
beard is an index of manhood. The
meaning OF the word "gentIeman," is a
meek man, being composed of the adiec.
tive gentle, and noun man. Society has
so corrupted this word Tint its definition
now depends upon the tastes of those de-
ilnIng 1t. Labor and gentihty are not an,
iagonlstIc. The connection between them,
IN It's true Specifications, is SO strong that
they are almost inseparabe. Every man
who labors is not gentleman, but no
man can be a gentleman without labor in
some way, though the spheres in which
men labor are as various as the human
lace. Some Of the greatest men were the
hardest workers. 1t is by this means that
they become great. Who would think of
having fruitful crops without labor The
soil must be cultivated or it will not pro.
duce. So great men are not q spontane.
Gus production Of nature, but they nre
formed by the severest toll, the strictest
seIi.denia and the most active energy.
Mechanics, Iaborers and farmers are often
snarIed at because their hands are horny
and their clothes soiIed but do these men
reflect that it is those very mechanics, la.
borers and farmers who mainly contribute
TO sustain the Government II is upon
them that our safety or honor rests; they
are the strong arm of the State, and the
iortlhcatlons Of the Republic. The man
who sneers at them because of their cal.
ling IN life, and derides manual labor and
toll, is no honor 10 the race of humanity
mere popinjay, whose mind is cramped
by the foolish whims and caprices Of fash.
ion, Has one Of these mock.geniemen
ever contributed his mite TO the support of
the great mass Of humanity Is the world
benefited by his existence, or is he bur.
den and curse TO i'll All must come TO
the latter conclusion.
Labor is one Of The first commands Of
God ldleness is deprecated in HOLY Writ
the one is honorable, and the other dis.
honorable. Labor strengthens the physi.
cal constitution it gives power 10 the
mind, it ennobes the feelings, and makes
great men and good citizens. Idleness on
The contrary, impuirs the body, enervates
The mind, destroys natural integrity, pro.
moIes dissipation, and is a source Of incal.
culabIe evil. 1t will, on examination, be
iound 10 be the root Of inlemperance and
dcbauchery, and id many instances of
crime. 1t wrecks The physical system,
debases the mental faculties, fills our pris.
ons and poor.houses, and cumbers the earth
with race Of beings who live upon the
sweat of others brows, and pass off the
stage of life without benefting others or
developing themselves. Is not labor then
more genteel than idleness