The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-07-23
IsLabor Disgracemli I

Not long since, we heard a minister remark,
while speaking Of the cxtravagance to which
the folles Of fashion tend, that ii had been the
cause of many failures which had occurred in
our cities, and had " brought many who stood
high in the estimation of their fellow men, down
to obtain living by the labor of their hands.
We don't believe the minister really meant what
he said, but fashion and a perverted idea of
what constitutes respectable employment, in.
duces.the frequent repetition of this remark by
public speakers and writers and il is this SEN
timent more than all others that fosters fashions
folles and encourages its extravagances. The
common practice of measuring a man By the
cut of his coat and the quality of the material o.
which it is made, renders it necessary for those
who are ambitious TO obtain the good will of
the society in which they move to get as fine q
coat ard as good a cut as possible and how many
overreacli their means in this. attempt to please
the silly notions Of the fashionably foolish peo.
pie with whom they associate?
Real worth is not appreciated by this class of
people, and consequently the man or woman
who is content to be honest and earn their
bread by the sweat Of their brows, ure looked
upon as very inferior beings by the peacocks of
society, while the person who has robbed some
body in such polite manner as to escape the
punishment due to his offence, and can appear
well under the fashionable attire which his
knavery enables him,,to wear, is generously hugged
to the bosom of society and regarded as person
of consequence.
| 1t is this mistaken idea of what is creditable
that leads our young men into such great mis-.
takes aud Causes so much crime and misery in
all parts of the country. The maxim that "you
might as well be out of the world as to be out OF
fashion" leads young men to the most desperate
acts to secure the means for following fashions.
And as labor--mechancal or common-is not
considered reputable in fashionable circles, what
wonder is it that young men should seek to OBJ
tain a living in some other way7 What won.
der that they will resort 10 gambling, theft, and
robbtry they are ambitious to be respected,
and are willing TO run all risk to gain the good
opinion of those with whom they wish to asso-
ciate.
Ii is this lisrepute into which honest industry
has fallen that leads men to convert themselves
into dtones, living upon society without return
ing any equivalent. Some will seek to evade
the disgrace of manual labor (as they suppose)
by seeking to wire themselves iuto public off.
ces, and for this purpose they will spend years
of toll in the most loathSome AMI humlistin.
practices. aud when SO fortunate as to obtain
the object of their pursuit. ths peoples treasury
will suffer, and then honest in lustry is taxed to
maxi up the deficit. Labor produces every.
thing, and must foot the bills made by these
eeches upon society. Far batter would it b.
to support these common off :eseekers as we
support other public paupars, and laboring men
those who have the taxes to nlqke-shoul.l
think of this matter and elevate to places of
trust, honor. and profit, thos, only who know
how to appreciate the source from whence al,
power and wealth is obtained.
This would alone go far towards cultvating in
the minds of the ambitious Young habits of in
dustry and usefulness, instead of those worthless
loatng, drinking, and gambling habits which now
too often characterize those who seek to live well
without honest toll.