The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-08-24

We any apprehension that the young men
who have been Withdrawn from civil pur-
suits, to engage In the recent war, will ex-
hiblt any reluctance ana dlstaste for the pur-
suits of peaceful industry. The late war
svas eminsnt1y one of labor, of constant, in
cssssnt toll, severely taxing and disciplipine
All the qualities winch are demanded BY the
severe labors, and responsibilities of civil,
commercial, mechanical and agricultural
pursuits. It was no school of ease, indolenos,
dissipation or selfshness. Many young men
who had previously lived in ease and luxury,
received their first lesson of hard work in
this war. They learned to handle the spade,
the pick, and the axe, and to take care OF
themselves, to keep regular hours, and con-
form to regular methods and orders. They
learned obedience and respect for authority
The graduates of this severe school viii
quickly conform themselves TO the new de-
mands for hard, faithful and patient labor.
which the condition OF the country 80 imper-
atively exacts from all citizens.
There is another and the largest class OF
them who have been thrown out of their usu-
al sphere and condition of life, to whom 1t
will be found more difficult to apply and en-
fore this universal requirement of labor. This
is the class of our freedmen who have sud
denly been relieved from strict discipline
and condition of restraint and compulsory
labor and without previous education or the
necessary intelligence, have been introduced
10 the responsibilities, rights and obligations
of freemen. That they should not appreci.
ate the demands and duties of their new
sphere; that they should imagine they involv-
ed a larger degree of independence, of ease,
and freedom from what they have heretofore
regarded as the hardest condition of their
lot, to-wit the necessity of working for q
su bsistence, is not extraordinary or unnatur-
al.
1t is due to them and to society that they
SHOULD be quickly cured of these delusions
and errors To this end the president of the
United States aud our military commanders
have directed their counsels and endeavors.
Throughout the south there has been a dis.
position on the part of this class to leave COM
Portable homes, and flock to camps and towns
with the expectation that they may obtain
food and clothing without labor or care. This
is a great evil to all parties, especially to the
misguided freedmen themselves, who, by
leaving the plantations, endanger their own
means of subsistence by abandoning the
crops which they aided to plant and cultivate
In the interest of this misguided people com
manders of posts in this state and MISSISSIPPI
pi have been ordered to apply the vagrant
act to such parties, and require them TO re-
turn 10 tueir MONIES anu pursue some uSeIul
labor. If this rule is carried ont faithfully
and energetioal!y, the great evils apprehend-
ed from the sudden change in our labor sys.
tenn might be greatly mitigated, and the
freedmen saved from the inevitable ruin and
decentralization, which has overtaken them
elsewhere when suddenly introduced to the
rights of freemen. Existence cannot be main
tanned by any class In this country, as in the
tropics, without labor. People cannot live
upon the spontaneous fruits of the earth.
Nor can charity. either that of the state or
individuals, be relied upon by persons who
are capable of labor. The great aim TO
which the policy of or government aud all
our laws should now be devoted, is to encour-
age and enforce systematic industry, to sup
press vagrancy and discourage idleness aud
thriftlessness and consequent vice and crime
Those who would elevate and improve any
class of our people will find their objec,
more effectuaily attained by promoting those
ends, by stimulating and developing, and il
needs be. by compelling habits of labor in-
dustry, sobriety and morality, than by any
of the modes which have been suggested by
utopian theorists and ismatics.