Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-12-17

MiCAHBEh IKE, hTc oHiy ""ihhS fOf
something to turn up" when they will
abandon it they hope forever And it
matters but little what that something is,
80 i; bs attended with but little labor
Such persons have, of course, no perna-
ncnt interest in the pursuit, and contrib
ute but little, if anything, to its influence.
WANT OF EDUCATION.
Another reason, and q more fatal one,
is the prevailing want of education. The
feeling of the degradation of labor, and
the instructive repuguance to it that 50
universally prevails, drives from this pur-
suit into others most Of the educated and
cultivated. Such are some Of the rea.
sons that account for the want of more
influence among farmers.
BESRFIrs OF LABOR.
But in opposition to this prejudics, !
am here to-day to contend for the hon.
or, the dignity. and the happiness that
results from Manual Labor. I care not
for the ignorant opinions of the past, or
for the contemplate weakness of the
present; Reason and Religion teach me
that LABOR is not only honorable, but
productive Of happiness, and that the ag-
ricultursl aud mechanical pursuits are
entitled to more respect than any other.
The argument is short, simple and con-
elusive that supports tho opinion. That
which 10 essential TO man is certainly the
most important, and if the most impor.
iant, necessarily the most honorable. -
Can you exist without food, clothing
q d hsbila:ionsi The agricuIturist and
tho mechanic supply them.
You might gaze upon tho painting of
a MICHAEL ANGELO, and if well fed, be
wrapped in ecstacy and delight; but if
hunger wa. gnawing at your yitnls, l
fancy one Of the potatoes on exhibition
to day would eclipse the magic picture,
and if it did not til ow you into ccstacy,
would at least prove vcry solacing. As
between the picture and the potatoe. I
am decidedly for the latter. and vet Mi
chacl angelo has worldwide fame.
aud the most successful potatoe grower
is without historian.
Under favorable, circum stances ron
might listen to the eloquence of HENRY
or a CLAY, and be wrapped, controlled
and swayed by tbs voice, gesture and
sentiment of the speaker, 80 40 to hang
as it were, suspended on his words, and
forget your own identity. But if yon
were coatless, and the cool air made the
nerves Jingle, conciousness would be re-
stored a, the sight of coat awaiting
your pleasure. Yet tie orators name
descends to posterity, while the tailor is
forgotten.
The world references and exalts the
the skillful sculptor who spends life in
chiseling a block Of marble into the form
of some renowned hero or statesmau.-
History records luis skill and enters his
name upou the records of the great,
while poets chant his praise in song
And yet Of what practical value or use
fitness is this work of lifetime? The
marble falls greatly below the original,
for it is devoid of life, passive and cold,
and the original himself is perhaps ex-
ceeded in manly beauty by hundreds
who gaze upon the representation.
This tendency to exalt the unmport-
ant and ignore the useful. has exhibited
itself il every period of the worlds ca
reer. 1t has its starting poLt n the
feeling that labor is degrading, and men,
tai pursuits are moro elsvating and en-.
nobling.
have no intention or inclination to
run a tilt against the fine arts, for adj
mire genius and skill in whatever work
discoverab!e, but il is the error upon
which they are based, l contsmn. The
mind can be enlarged, cultivated and
strengthened, much better by the prscti.
cal and useful, than the non essential
through the real than the imaginary or
fanciful.
THE TRIunPH OF LABOR.
But let us rejoice! The age is improv
ing. For genius has grasped the prac.
tical and useful, andaencircled the brows
of their votaries with the wreath of hon.
or aud immortality. Examine if you
please, that mass Of complicated iron
shining and polished here; rough and
uncouth there. See its wheels, is tubes,
its valves, its furnace. Think ycu the
nnweildy mass is imbued with lief
Wait until its keeper appears. He comes,
touches but handle, and behold inertia
becomes motion. until its speed outrivals
the cour,er. That is the triumph Of
gscius of the right sort. for, see, it draws
behind it train that carries the surplus
products ola entire community to their
mart.
Observe if yon please, that continuou.
wire, supported by those poles at equul
distances. Do you know its length q
1t spans a continent. land soon submerg-
ed, will cross the Atlantic,) and radia.
ties. like the arterial system, in almost
every conceivable direction. 1t is sim.
PIE and UMPIRE tending in appearance, vel
it carries thought and writes it where
desired, more rapidly than the hurry ing
gale.
These are the indications that The
mental md physical have united fol
practical purposes, as nature intended.
Il