The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-05-11
k1f the hsPlU4ca
DIR. MattooR's Lecture.

DIR. Mattoon's Lecture.
The lecture on Tuesday evening last before
The Calliopean Society, was mighty appreciated
os sery attentive audience.
DR.. Mauoon's subject, " Labor and Honor, "
gave promise OF practical l,ctnre; and such it
was, made instructive aud entertaining by the
lecturers very able and agreeable style of e1-
preston.
De TocqueviIle has said, Among Americans
al honest csllings are hoaorable among
Americana az It we were unique 10 this respect
as it honest callings were not every where honor
able
The speaker would not deny that among
Americans" all honest cangs are honorable
No one has need 10 apologize for his home, his
liberty, aud his calling. If in our democracy.
and among Americans" labor is honorable, it
is not because we have made il co. 1t is an IT,
resstable, universal trulh-it is laS written on
mind by the hand Of the Almighty.
We have only to looa at the active energy OF Ma
ture-how the restless ocean works with Cease
U.S. lhOtibut uII tA~o NUNS ito PNAN hC"
all around US labor 10 without pause, the secret
forces Of nature working for the life Of the vege
liable kingdom.
Look up to the starry heavens. where the
singing planets are upheld by constant power
aud energy. az, instinct With life and motion,
they whirl through space. Shall We call Nature
and her God lot honorable amid their restless
acliviliesy
In the animal world we find the same energy,
constant labor is the law. Action is Instructive.
There is one species OF insect which yearly trav.
els from the highest mountain -tops Of Jamaica
the sea shore, there deposits ils egg, then re-
turns TO lie native mountains, makes its grave
aud dies.
II We follow up through the higher orders Of
animal creation, We fnd the same Ia ~ OF action
everywhere impressed; even TIL We reach the
spiritual part of mans nature, where it be.
comes
The wish, the dream, he wild desire,
Deisiolss yet divine 70 kaow."
Every man is born for some special Use or end
Shall not be who bears the greatest burden have
At least as much honor as he who serves merely
% ornament? let, somehow the idea obtains
that latoF of the hands s not not honorable.
A Roman writer said. Nothing noble can be
found in a work shop !" and to-day the same
dea to some extent prevails. The very child
earns that the calloused hand and sun burn
brow are udces of a calling noe honorable
The Speaker asserted that calling to be hon
est AID honorable, which promotes the welfar,
and happiness OF society, and peIpetuates virIu-
Gus principles. The laboring man fnds
difficulties in the way to high official and politi
Cal station. To such he would say, toll on
overcome the difficulties The bright-eyed boy
sleeping on bis pallet of straw. may yet tread OF.
wilton aud sleep on down. Tns rail splitter OF
illinois holds now the highest office and trust in
our land
We can claim time or space but for few OF the
sterling gems of thought aud expression which
Ehe lecture contained. The closing remark.
~re addressed TO the ladies'
II has been said that woman does not smile OF
the man whose hands bear the mark OF toll, Or
on whose brow may be seen rhe bronze OF labor /;
that only the delicate face and white hand cai,
yin her smile IL is libel. As if woman die
not admire mani Though the days of spin
ming wheels are past, there is yet labor fo
"oman TO perform-to make bone happy and
pie cant Let your own fair hand aid that OF
al-helpful nature, to spread around your homes
a carpet of emerald, je~eled over with the star
eyed violet and fragrant lily, End room in every
corner for lovely, fragrant flowers, embowe
your hume in roses whose bloom your owl
cheeks shall rival
Adoru your brow with the gems of sensbilitv
and intelligence, your heart with the pure pearls
of goodness, then will the strong, the true, the
neroicsAy virtucus young man delight to honor
you with the brightest wreaths Of affection.
LISTENER.