The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-01-09
Workingiaen ia Society.
NILLEoao DEpor, |

atssy tlFysasen:-ln my letter on work
ingmen in Society" gave but 4 few introduce
tory IDEAS. and before I enter on tb;s aoon,v
~ e1'-s 9sA9SS' '-'o !" Ai0 " snAaA =" ~
your approval Of my poor effort. am pleased
because feel from your remarks that the
,,ost;ar of ar .bo.. r;,.,,.. aa a. ,,;.
l..,,,,'- =,
ineil's WIZ nor " aiiowea 20 rest ~ you anu
o' NJ WY nase ~ 'leai. ouf prosperity.
MAKE prosperous inc country we must
protect lapoi. 70 elevate LABOR 70 me hishest
p1icii " u,lli'y aiia power iAe WorAlhgile "a
inus' ee caue'sseu. iail"Ays Or naiiilealis WIZ
10. 10 "A new era IS on US. ne great reVo-
lu'ioh IS no, yel over, oh. come what may N
ihe iuaufe' no" siall we the people pe pre-
pared IN me Instance We see OUT country
haPpy--happler anu more glorious IMAM ever.
3. HOW are We 10 approach TINS dear consuma-
llon' Is ~ ~ rnde TON, OF ny wiling heart
ana cultivated lheeilect livery thlng suscep.-
loie u Improvement ougnl % ps ilnpfos -
anu US equal Whatever me conaitlon OF the
Individual Is, prepared Tor the grand race OF
progress, II ne does not win position, lei
MN pane hlinsclf.
E0ucate ihat you may pc Tree IS an oiu
axiom IN poiitlcal ethics and shall we forget
ina. sknoWleage IS power.
10 learn Vfeek ana Latin &C, IS ny no means
education, these mold to be mere accesslons-
literary accomplishments II you will Inc
language that clothed the divine IDEAS OF
Milton ana ohakspear; that gave lmpeflshaple
glory 10 Lyrics OF burns anu moore, anu
unged with hues OF splendor Inc burning
lhougnts q a henry ana Gra1tan ana huhg
around the martyr grave OF -aEsmet the INDY
ing gioiy OF true PATRIOTISM, sthat language
VIII sufllee Tor US poor s'worklngmen IN so
clety. 10 tram the minds q the people TO a
proper adaptation to useful purposes, TO teach
them that IN the homestead knowledge Is
required, the most essential perhaps OF all, for
as the family was the first form OF government
1t ought to be the most correct, Otherwise
society has no true foundation and there IS no
stability tor liberty OF natural prosperity
In republican form OF government each IN
dlvldual should consider that ON INN alone de-
pends the strength and perpetulty OF political
institutions, for though the individual is for
gotten in the aggregate, the aggregate can
have no existence without the individual.
If you want the whole people Of the South
to apply their great energies to her regcnera-
ton and future glory, apply yourself to the
base of the structure and ascend By degrees.
The fash Of the sabre attracts the eye Of
y
Liberty! she never smiled on carnage, but
always sat by the board of eontentment, where
love sweetened toll, and culled from fields
made rich by its sWee. flowers for the pillow
of mans dreams.
You, who have taken so to your heart the
good of all the people and the prosperity Of
the whole country-you viii not be satisfied
with ideas alone in this moment for our Gle
walton. Go practically to work, there is much
to be done and believe me there is very little
time to be lost. Looking over the papers from
different places see how industriously people
apply themselves to work for the amelioration
Of the condition of the poor their intentions
are good and may God reward them. In the
cities and large towns, they have Lyceums,
Literary. Mechanics and other Institutes
Those societies have done much good in their
way In our small towns and villages such
establishments do not exist, or if they did,
they would only exist for class. A new en-
tcrprise to be successful heretofore should
come into existence under happy auspices,
having one or two or more milli6nares at the
baptismal font, and how many Of them have
failed. TO cure the evils of soeiety-to make
powerful !. country, consult the heart Of the
toiler, and if there is no responsive throb to
your own desires, chasten down its roughness
by brotherlv love and siren CITIZEN and fire it
with the tender touch of gentle association
and practical education. You are not afraid
to write your sentiments, and am mistaken
if you will be afraid to act start then at once
an organization for the improvement of the
s.workingmen in society,"" In Staunion you
will have many to assist you in the good work,
for am sure those who fought in the mad
fray and struggled up the steel girt-slopes Of
many an ensangllined field by the side of the
workingman, Will not now turn away from
any enterprise having for it's object his moral,
social and neutrality-suspicious.. Commence
then at once collect a few young men, rent
room, let the liberal among you donate them
books &C., and you and other gentlemen OF
the press in Staunton can supply them with a
great deal of useful reading in your exchanges.
What will be cut out, they will see in your
papers, the remainder will be valuable. Let
each man subscribe twenty-five cents per
month, divide your CITY into ward clubs and
have a central committee who will look to the
appointment of teachers ratuitous Of course.
Establish in each ward club debating night
for each week and Lecture once a month,
the subject on all occasions to suit the object
of the organization, and above and before all
things, firmly resolve that no foolish political
OF religious questions shall be lnooted. Learn
ing the value of Unity we will know how to
preserve it,
The young and old men Of your town once
seeing the value and utility of such an organ
ization, will give it their warmest support. In
such an organization they can take council
with each other for the common good and
never again be made the poor cats-paws of
embarrassing adventurous They will see the
truth oftie motto-sin Union there is strength
And never was that knowledge more needed.
There are in our midst chartered corporations
who think they have right to do as they
please. and On this ASSUMPTION act.
An organized working community, fostered
and protected, by true patriots, acting on my