The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-03-24


! Of her population, or the real grandeur of
England in the variety and growing free
dom of her mighty industry? Indeed,
the best state must be that which offers
the broadest field for the development of
the active energies Of its citizens which
is distinguished for the variety and vigor
of its industrial professions; and where it
is easiest for every man to obtain the post
in which his peculiar genius may find
scope in creative toll.
Free labor is the test of national supe-
riority-not SO much on account of what
it produces, as for its results on the citi-
zen. For only in such a condition of af-
fairs can man receive the true education
Of all his powers, and use bis circumstan-
ces for the building up of his manhood.
Hence although the quantity and quality
Iof production is an evidence Of prosper
Gus people, yet a more striking proof is
the effect of this work on the population
itself Are the men and lcomcn Of a
state eanoJicd by their occupotion, and Is
their daiy business schooI Of CheiSt'on
citizenship? is the first question in this
investigation For the N st astonishing
works may doubtless be produced by the
sacrifice Of man; and such labor is only
Satanic.
Compare the gigantic monuments Of
Eastern despotism with the achievment
Of our New York industry. We can show
no pyramids, no labyrinths, no massive
cities, tombs and temples, which will chal
lcnge the assaults of time. Bless God,
we cannot point to mighty piles of stone
and sculpture slowly raised be the hands
Of bondmen, cemented by the blood and
tears Of oppression: huge gravestones,
marking the spot where the noblest aspi-
) rations Of humanity were buried, and gen
erations fell and wasted to please des-
pots whim But look at our monuments; /;
an Erie Canal, whose projecting, CON
struction and use, has been the primary
school of the free industry Of our State ];
: a system Of railroads, extemporzed by the
spontaneous enterprise Of whole people,
groauing beneath the weight Of free pro-
duets or the armies Of emigrants fleeing
from oppression and poverty to comfort
: and liberty; cities not built for centu-
rvs endurance, but such as q new State
: using every vital energy to the utmost,
can throw together to shelter the f..si.tiies
and transact the business Of Republican
community.
So is the glory of our free Northern in
: dustrY not found IN its great material re-
, suits Of agriculture, manufactures, com
merce; for doubtless our work Is often
crude. and partakes of the rawness of a
continent coming out Of the woods; but
in what man has learned and become in
producing it all, and the new powers and
opportunities lor the best society he is
daily acquiring in this magnificent school.
And the chiet superiority of our system
Of labor over that of other lands and other
districts IF our continent is, that through
it we are coming to that point where I'll
industrial operations shall play into the
hands of that highest form Of work, the
development Of the best men.
So the question of Free Labor is not
to be argued so much from its economi-
cal results, though here the argument is
triumphant, as from its spiritual aspects
= Every true son Of Adam viii maintain
that the happiest word that ever greeted
his ears was his command to leave an
Eden Of childish innocence for a wilder
ness Of manly toll. Free Industry is for
the elevation and education of the race
All human experience has demonstrated
that the onl ) way to greatness of any kind
, Is the straight and narrow way of labor
And when man tolls, in the exercise Of
his great attribute Of freedom, he is in the
. way to gain his chief distinction. Crea-
ticn is the grandest attribute of man
the point in which he approaches nearest
; his Maker To create new combinations
from the material universe; by the disci-
? pine of free industry to discover the ere
! ative laws of Omnipotence, and by obcdi-
t ! ence to them to express his best concep-
: tions Of existence to impress himself on
t the whole earth. and even Eli the iIvisi-
: bic elements with the finer energy of his
/, victorious mind ]; especially to create in
the realm of spirit; moulding human ma
: ture into higher forms of individual and
5 social life, and by far-reaching insight,
{ peoples the realms of imagination with
z new and glorious beings, which bear the
4 seal of reality and become the ideals Of
e tie generations; this is God-like; and
only through Free Labor can man ap-
+ proach this throne of his power, and rise
into the companionship of the creative
: love of the Father of all.
e CONCLUSION NEXT WEEK.