The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-07-21
Professions and Trades.

There never was period when energy met O
better reward than at present; if directed in the
proper channels. We should remember, however
that the times have changed, and that our young
men should not be all striving to become lawyers
or doctors now, We have enough in those pro-
fessiors and to Spare, Formerly the young gem
teman wEo was able TO get thorough legal or
mental education, had some other property in
land or negroes upon which he could in great
part rely for a support. If he received but few
fees for the first FIVE years. it was but what he
expected, and he could afford to wait. Now he
can do no such thing, and the lawyer or doctor
not established in life has generally hard time.
We advise parents to bring up their children
to look towards something else than the pro-
fessions, or indeed any other calling that is not
remunerative. There is but little chance ofa
youth doing much nowadays at clerkiDg--for
this is oyerdone also Clerks on an average barely
receive enough for many years to keep soul and
body together, and if they engage in business
without fair start, their chances Of success are
but slim.
One great cause of young men not doing we'll
in the commercial line is that but few are prop
erly educated for it. A lad that goes into &
counting roo.a without proper preparation, should
no more expect to succeed than that IN aspirant
to the law should expect run of business with
out having read Blackstone. Reading, writing
and arithmetic constitute the most essential parts
of every education; but they make up but small
portion OF what every merchant should know.
He should be well acquainted with the geography
of the whole earth and with the productions Of
every country, and especially with those of his
own. He should know something Of at least one
or two modern languages, and should be a fair
mathematician. So far from limited education
being sufficient for the mercantile profession,
there is no line in life to excel in which requires
more varied information.
What we wonder at is, that more of our youth
do not learn trades. A good mechanic can, at
twenty-five years ofage, make more in one day
than the most Of clerks can in three andhis chan.
ces Of success in life are infinitely greater. In
the mechanic arts there are many prizes and
no blanks; for every young man who works hard
is sure to obtain A. handsome support, which
cannot besafirpacd off, any other calling Thatever
x n Rslin GOOD living in any trade, all that 10
rt4nired is fair English education and industry.
70 reach the highest point, however, scientific
instruction is absolutely required for backsmiths
and carpenters, as much as for any of the other
yocations OF life. %
In former days there was general distaste
in the youth Of the South to go to trades. The
causes of this fact are plain enough, and need
not be referred TO. They exist no longer, and
ldDDT VIII D6 more now III the tSIl-
nation of all than it was under our former condi-
ton of society.
1t is absolutely essential TO the material VEL
fare of the State that more Of her sons should
devote themselves 10 the mechanic arts 1t is
the mechanic that makes the prosperity Of the
city, and without him it cannot be great or per-
manent. At no period in our history did these
pursuirs pay better, and the young man Of edu-
cation and of steady habits that engages in them
row, has fairer chance of becoming wealthy
than were he to devote his energies to any other
calling
We advise our people to place more Of their
Sons at trades. The old order of things has de-
parted, and people will have henceforth to owork
hard to get their living. Every one wishes his
son to become useful member Of society and to
accumulate competency, and the best means of
accomplishing this is TO learn goodtrade and to
stick to il