The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-03-26
EDUCATION AND OCCUPATION.

II Is stated that Of the six hundred and six
c0nyicts who now occupy the Ohio Peniten-
tiary, two hundred and forty four cannot read
or write, and four hundred, or nearly sixty
per cent. Of the entire number, have no trades.
This brief return is full Of meaning. There
are two great essentials for success in life
education and regular occupation. There
are others, but these are among the most i'm
portant. Moral training should, Of course.
never be lost sight Of. But without a habi,
of industry, which can only be induced by re-
gular occupation, the peris to the young are
fearful. Almost any trade is better than none.
The error with many parents is TO neglect
this great essential until too late, when the
habits become formed and fixed, and thus all
useful control is lost. The figures quoted
from the annual report Of the Ohio Peniten-
tiary tell and point out the true causes of the
misery aud crime that prevail throughout the
land. The annals OF other and like institu-
tions abound with similar details. Many
children are over-inGuged and are thus ru.
ined. They are permitted to follow their
own inclinations, and, with no experience of
the world and its WAYS, they naturally 90
astray. Ii is indeed diiiicult at times to know
what is best to be done. We are all apt
to fancy that our own offspring possess re-
markable qualifications. and hence 10 look
to some very elevated pursuit or calling as
eminently calculated for them. Too often we
misjudge, aud BY mistaken psrtiality place
them in a sphere for which they are unified.
But, we repeat, regular occupation should be
regarded as an essential. Some trade, calling
or profession should be selected and fully ac-
quired. At least the habit Of industry would
be secured, and thus the first great step TO
success 10 life. But The longer we delay the
greater will be the difficulty.
The old and experienced cannot encounter
idlcness without great risks. How cruel.
then, 10 submit the young and thoughtess to
such fiery ordeal The parent, too, who
neglecis 90 give his son a business may well
be reproached by that son in after life. Oc-
cupatlon is the great safeguard. II not only
engrosses the mind, but il curbs aud restrains
the passions. II not only eleyates the indi-
di,idal IN his own estimation, bat il makes
him useful and independent. lie feels that
his faculties are tasked and eIcerted, aud he
therefore contributes something to the weil-be-
ing ol society. Nay, the real powers. mental
aud physical, can never be fully known until
called into play BY some emergency Of pro-
lessional life or business requirement.
Nevertheless, there are hundreds Of young
men who are permitted TO grow up with false
notions Of position, influence, aud pride, and
Who find, 10 their regret, when they become
little older and wiser, that they have been
wasting the best years Of their youth in tie
vain cuneeiis produced By idlrness or the Vi
siunary speculatiunS engendsred by inexperi-
ence. Again, therefore. We earnestly urge
the necessity Of regular occupation. Il may
seem irksone at frst, but j, will soon lose
its severity aud terror; while the tact, infor-
nation. the knowledge, aud the art thus ac-
quired viii strengthen and fortify for almost
any emergency Ol life. fair education, in
dlsirious habits. aud useful calling are IN
iinitcly more saIuaJle than q fortune without
these priceless qualities.
Pkiai,lph;s Inquirer.