True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-03-15
For the True American.
LIFE IN THE WOODS NO. l.
THE PIONEER.

THE PIONEER.
The life of the Pioneer has, usually, |
been regarded as one of hazard and toll,
without relaxation and without recon-
pense. Nothing could be more erroneous.
1t is true, there is demand for physical
exertion; but what signifies that, when
the soul is serene and calm ? 1t is true
that there is hazard; but who, that has
felt the wild exhileration, which conscious
danger always imparts to the brave heart,
will not say, that even this brings rec
ompense with it? The warm fresh blood,
as it leaps from the heart and courses
through the veins, gives vigor to the sys-
TEN and buoyancy to the mind, Free
from the vices and corrupt associations
which are engendered in the crowded
thoroughfarcs Of town, and placed in i'm
mediate communion with nature, the Pi-
oneer stands, as it were, nearer to his God.
The songs of the happy birds cheer him at
his toll. The velvet moss, the grassy
knoll, and the gay flowers, impress his
soul with new beauty; and when the
labor Of the day is done, he feels as no one
else can feel, the luxury of sleep. He
rises in the morning, fresh from his invig-
Grating repoSe, and with his axe on his
shoulder, goes forth to conquer the "howl-
ing wilds," and make the evidences
blossom as the rose" And who is there
that would not envy the feelings that rise
in his bosom, when beneath the repeated
strokes of his sinewy arms, he beholds the
giant oak, which for centuries has defed
the strong winds of heaven, topple in its
height, and with crash like the shrek
of despair, lie PROSTATE at his feet? If
were an artist, and desired to represent the
triumph of mind over matter, what more
fitting design could find, than to exhibit
the Pioneer, with rolled-up sleeves and
axe in hand, standing upright upon this
fallen monarch?
Again, the Pioneer is the true Philoso-
pher. While others spend their lives in
speculations and dreams; while theory
succeeds to theory, and system gives way
to system; while one subtlety begets an
other, and men weave out from "the stuff
that dreams are made Of" a thousand
codes, and call them all philosophy, the
Pioneer starting with the little that he
knows, gives to that little practical utili,
ty. He embodies his thoughts-his phi
losophy-in the expressive language Of
material form. He gives to his ideas a
tangible being, and thereby benefits him,
self and his neighbor. While systems Of
false philosophy must pass away, his will
endure forever. The labor of his intellect
and hands, will afford home and hearth.
stone for succeeding generations, for ages
yet to come. Bread shall grow from the
fields which he has cleared, and nations
shall thrive by the labor Of his hands
The proud aristocrat that rolls in luxury
and wealth, is, in the eyes Of the true phi.
losopher, but pauper, fed from his boun.
ty and clothed at his hands. Without
him the title of "king," would be but q
bye-word and a mockery among men and
the character of "great' would be as Q
skeleton hung upon the horns of the moon
for the angels. to laugh at.
Whatever distinctions or titles there
may be among men, the human family has
ever been divided into but two classes
producers and non-producers-workmer
and drones-digits and cyphers-men and
things. 1t is unnecessary for me to point
out who compose these two classes.
will leave every man to draw his own in
ference But this much I will say that
if the many who seek to obtain a rrNcari
GUS subsistence by pandering to the depra
we'd tastes of mankind; if the many tha
grind down the faces of the poor; and
the poor themselves, would flee from tn
polluted atmosphere of the city and plac,
their dependence upon the unfailing law
of nature, that universal good would b
the result. We should no longer have tn
cry of "hard times" ringing in our ears
capital would no longer be the master O
labor; but our nation would thrive and ou
people be happy. FRANCKE,
Owl CREEK CABIN, March, 8 '55.
WAvERLY MAGAz1NE.-This large an
: splendid Magazine is one of the very bes