The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-10-31
from the New York sun, Oct. 20
Intellect ahd Labor.


There seems to be no good reason why
! the workingman should not cultivate his in
teiIect and become as intelligent and well in-
formed as any other member Of society. La
Dor indeed is an educator in itself. Regular
employment produces that sound body which
is the best foundation OF the sound mind.
he who is occupied for a certain number Of
hours every day III healthful toll will IN
general be free from the vices that corrupt,
OF the diseases that weaken and dlstort the
intellect. His life is calm, his thoughts
pure, and his mind is in far better situa
ton for the reception Of knowledge than that
Of the speculatOI who is torn by a Thousand
anxielies, or the man Of wealth who lie lost
Is dissipation.
The young mechanic or artisan, II he is
DESTROYS Of raising himself to the level OF
the educated classes around HIN, may easily
DO so. A few hours spent 10 reading or the
pursuit Of some regular study every evening
curing the course Of three or four years, will
serve TO complete the education which be
mas received at the public or private school.
But he must educIte himself. No teacher,
no opportunity car supply the want Of per-
Sonal effort. Like Frat kiln, Lincoln, G1ee-
ley, Watt or Stevenson, he must Learn 10
'seorn delights and live lsborng days." or
rather nights.
Yst it is surprising how much may be OBJ
tanned by devoting few hours each day to
study, during q series Of years. GlbboB
produced bis great work rather BY the regu.
larity than the protracted nature Of his daily
studies. Franklin became the wlsest and
one of the best read Of his contemporaries in
the midst Of incessant labor. And il the
workman, with his healtnfui mind 50 well
prepared for the reception Of knowledge,
will give two hours each day 10 careful study
he may, in a few years, snrpass in general
information the great majority of college
graduates, VITO % often obtain diploma
without deserving it, or who have laid aside
IheiI learning the moment they left their
preceptors. He may elevate his own intel
iect by coming into communion with the en-
inent intelieets OF the past. He may BE-
come familiar with Miltoa, Aaaissn and
johnson, with Macaulay, Irving, Prescott
aud Mil he may study WORKS Of science, or
perfect himAelf 10 some bFannh % khcwledar
connected with his peculiar yoc4tlon and IL
ms the united testimony Of all the wisest EN-
ploy els Of the old and the neEs world, that
the educated workman Is far more valuable
in bis All than tue uuli, ignorant. and SEN
sual.
We are entering upon period in the his
iory Vt pp cSunsrY when all the lAbms o.
peace viii be prosecuted with unparalleled
vigor. Ne are to fall TO work with an ear
nest never known before. Peace will have
it's victories moo renowned than those Of
war and our HchieT 81 nen,' who ID him
self practical workman, will no doubt lead
his no,lhfrv mas, - ~ N tia s.aEhs
pf labor as he haa hsre,ofofs led them
On the bAEtleiield. Let We great working
class caTyy With A whessym ia .gpes, lei
! sehools and skhraEies, iis issenrs rooms and
Resting focmss ~ tentimsn3 " bftthsfhsed
4 hn4 assiEe 5os e0r0pss ain eaiiprevamsnk
and g mny easily sufpaas every pssssF c1aal
~ Knew edaA ard yadnAment infellect niad
1 lahor nniand miiL place eean& minas II ssnril
bedls4 ma NE or conntrs .'posIslo6 Il
1 ~ my f6fe- ffent 81 ciyilizSlI9l. s. -