Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-02-16
TO ADVERTISERS.
THELABOR QUESTION.

Man is naturally slothful. Were it not tina,
he Is compelled to wage constant battle to
ward off hunger and cold, he would soon re
lapse into ignorance and barbarism. The more
pressing his necessities, the fiercer his conflict
with the opposing forces OF nature; fight in
which his body is strengthened and his intel.
lect sharpened- Thus, in the tropics, where
nature IS the ally OF the human race, and man
can subsist without exertion, and needs but
little clothing, ne is soon stripped of all physi-
cal energy and mental activity. In the tenn.
perate zene, he must work for a living, or de.
pend upon others. Labor 10 his normal con-
dition- Two classes only would seem to be
exempt-those who are rich enough to have
others work for them, and those who are
physically unable 10 labor. But the rich
man IS really lot an exception to the gen
eral rule. His exertions to keep what he
has, and Increase his store, keep him often
more actively and anxiously employed than
the poor man, who is compelled to toll daily
for food Tor himself and family. As to those
who are able bat unwilling to labor, they
should not be allowed TO prey upon their in.
dusirious neighbors, or evade the Divine com.
mand, which is imperative, and makes work
moral duty. six days shalt thou labor. -
God commands US to labor six days in the
week just a. much as He commands us to
cease iaooring on the seventh. Those who dis
course on Sabbath breaking, often overlook
the other clause ofthe commandment, but both
60 together, and he only can properly appre-
ciate the Sabbath rest who has devoted the
preceding six days 10 labor.
These remarks have been suggested by the
state OF affairs developed in this country, AZ
recorded In the daily papers. Thus, while q
cry comes frem the city press, particularly in
the NORM and East, that the labor market is
overcrowded, and men and women are almost
perishing fer want Of food, our Western and
Southern exchanges TEEN with appeals for
emerants TO settle in their respective sections.
and complain Of q scarcity of laborers Forasts
are to be cleared, farms to be cultivated mines
10 be worked, and factories established Man
now arving in the cities may, in a few
years, by close application, by unremitting
Industry. soon attain in the country respect.
able and independent positions. These facts
should be widely circulated, as a matter in
which the Whole country is vitality interested.
1oung men particularly should be appealed
to, to seek new fields OF employment Many
OF them now falling into evil habits in our
over crowded cities, which will lead them to
the Jail or poor. house. might, before middle
age, attain wealth and distinction in some ne ~
community, where competition is not SO &C.
tive and unrelenting. All they want-mauv
Oh tnem-is chance 10 succeed, and this
enance denied them at home, they will find In
the new settlements in the West, now being
opened mp TO trade and commerce, and in the
South, where immense natural recource. are
only awaiting the application of skilled and
intelligent labor to make the Southern Statea
the rivals Of their prosperous nsig bers In the
North and West ------ =