Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-06-18
MEASURE Of it9 MANHOOD 3 4 I q So


= N9 fsrl impression Of society is more false
or i fatal % true manhood than tina. which
measures 2 mans worth by the field OF
LABOR he occupies, so long as that labor
is useful and, ,honest-and no dishonest
toll can be useful. The nobility Of man
ln bis country does not depend on
wealth. birth. or title. -,4,'. ...
Nor does it take color from the nature
Of his profession. but rather. from the
spirit WHICH antimates himm7lhe spirit by
which with or against, the. smiles Of, tenn
poral fortune. he shapes his career among
his fellow men. A., He is a truer man who
turns chimney sweeping to an honest, in.
dependent account, than he, who. scorn.
ing the rough tolls of the humble and
needy, is willing to live as an idler-
however proudly comparisoned-upbn
the industry Of others. rs...,-.- -
Now and then we hear Of "the most
respectable classes" and find on exam.
lnatlon that this responsibility is credited
to that spirit Of republicanism which dis.
cards the theory of divine rights" and
special nobiiIies OF blood and caste? Yet.
this system exists and increases among
US. a. ........ . ....
We see, il 10, manifold displays Of a
pseudo arlstocracy, who. gloryiug in the
possession OF superior wealth, won, most
likely, by the hard handed industry and
prudence OF former generation, or by
some successful speculation, Look down
with vulgar scorn Upon men who eclipse
them in the tributes Of manhood. That
man is base who fails to remember a no.
BILE minded or noble acting ancestry.
but baser is he who seeks TO hide his
own meanness or weakness under the
mantle of reputable forefathers. The
proudest coat OF arms ever craven on a
mans shield, or fitted to his shoulders.
Is tbe homespun coat WOO by honest toll.
Subtract from the worlds history the re-
cord of such toll, add the earth is strip.
ped OF much of its most substantial plo>
RES. The patent nobilities have done
little more than to corrupt the fruits of
heroic labor.
What matters it whether one carries
the bod or the plumb line-whether one
carries the mortar or handles the trowel.
SO long as each is essential to human
welfare? Not that we would have any
seek lower grade Of toll, if higher one
be at his command.
What We hold is, that the shepherd and
Ploughman are as noble in their sphere.
as the Secretary of State is in his. To
the working man-and he who tolls not
usefully, is drone among men and an
abomination in the sight OF God. Heed
not the false sentiments that would deny
you dignity and responsibility. because
your labor soils your hands and swarlhs
your brow. Better have soiled hands
and swarthy brows than the corrnpt head
and vicious brain of the two extremes OF
society who prey upon your labor-the
vagabond OF the gutter, shameless in
their mendicity and crime, and the vaun.
ted aristocracy, whose wealth hides their
corruption from public sight. Aim high,
with honest purpose, -holding a true
soul better than gold, and the approval
Of conscience sweeter than the words of
aattery. and you will triumph even in
the humbIest vocation. Your daily la
Dor shall not be gauge Of your man
hood. for you will have over and above
that. for self communion and for society.
I heart and brain which are not tied to,
nor bound in, the toll of your hands.